Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-09-25
RUM ON SUNDAY
Is Crying Word of New York
Democracy,
Proposed Excise Plank Providing for
Continental Sabbath.
NO Law Wanted That Will Interfere with
Business Interest 4"

Syracuse, y. Y, Sept. "a At 1927.
Chairman Hinkley called the Democratic
state convention to order. He stated that
be was directed by the state committee TO
say that regular and Shepard delegates IN
Kings county were to be placed on roll.
regulars to have two-thrds vote and
Shcpardites one-third
Hon. Perry Belmont was elected tenn
porary chairman and addressed the con
Vention.
Mr.. Belmont began u long speech by
euloglzing Senator Hill for his unlllnch-
ing devotion to party interests during the
last campaign. In Wow of the reverses of
that campaign, the speaker argued that
the swift changes OF party power in this
state should encourage the Democrats not
to be without hope Much, he thought,
will depend on the way they appreci tho
lesson of the past Regarding the excise,
he said:
They would nor maintain the power Of
forcing licenses into cities and towns
whore they ara not desired nor, on the
other hand, would they enable "A 'prohibi
ton minority, or hystcrical executive
officers, to enslaYe The sober members of
either Of the two great parties u the state.
Individual liberty at our fires de must not
be taken away. Inducements to drunken
ness may be wisely removed, but the leriti
mate desire for the moderate use of wine
and beer on Sunday should not be driven
as now TO satisfy itself by illcgitimate
means.
The preachers and the churches. tho
brewers aud the saloons should act to-
gcther, formulate, vote for and enforce n
reasonable excise law
After the appointment of the usual
committees, Dr. Edward Storck of
Buffalo, presented the following proposed
excise plank which was referred to the
committee on platform:
We ask Of the state Legislature to mass
o uniform reasonable license law. with
proviso for local option. The revenues of
such licenses granted shall go to the local
poor funds Of cities and towns in the state.
We further ask the Legislature to amend
and modify the Sunday law as now upon
the statute books, in such form that the
enforcement thereof will not be oppressive
or obnoxious to any class of our people and
not prove destructive to any business in
terest in the state. Such laws Should be
IN conformity with the spirit of the con-
rttution and laws Of the country that
guarantees personal liberty and equal
rights 10 all citizens. Sunday laws should
designate the Sabbath as day of deyo-
ton, rest and recreation The provisions
OF the law should protect people in their
religious exercises and devotion ON the
sabbath day, The sale of liquor in any
SIND should be prohibited In all public
places During church hours and divine
services After O'Clock, the day shouId
De made free for rest and recreation of tho
people IN the interests of good morals and
labor rs we'll as capital. "
At 1.5O M, the convention adjourned
until 10 A. NJ, tomorrow.
The committee on resolutions met, to-
night The session was protraoted the
excise plank causing much debate. The
committee finally adjourned after adopt-
ng the PLATFORM with the exception of the
excise plank. The platform as adopted
declares gold and silver the only legal ten
Ter denounces all money not convertible
INTO coin, fayors the gradual retirement Of
yreenbacks, declares against free and I'M
United coinage Of silver, and favors i'm
)rovement of state canals One clause of
he excise plan practically agreed upon
eads: I'VE condemn the hypocrisy of
he Republican party in Professionally refus-
ng to enforce the excise and Sunday clos
ng laws in Republican cities while de-
such enforcement elsewhere"
The committee on contested seats after
wo hours executive session spent in
fated and bitter discussion, in which
.amInany leaders, Senator Hill and others
COX part, gave the Grace Fairchild people
ne IF b representation. IG was declared
hat the Tammany Hall organization was
he regular one.