The evening times., 1895-09-25
TlMhlnYI TRIUMPHANT |
continued from. Fins. Page.

-t
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report of the committee on credentials,
giving Grace-F Fairchild Democrats one
firth representation. The Grace-Fair-
child men left the hall at 1927 amid cheers
and jcers.
Tammany delegates jeered them, and the
Shepard Democrats from Kings rose in
their places and gave the retiring delegates
three cheers. Chairman Belmont pounded
on the desk with his gavel. but was several
minutes before business could go ON.
After order was restored the convention
proceeded TO elect permanent officers.
Hon Roswell p Flower was elected
chairman, and " as conducted to the stage
amid great cheering Following are the
most interesting portions Of his address:
FLOWER SPEAKS
After thanking the convention for the
honor conferred upon him, and prnising
the Democracy of the Empire State, Chair
man Flower paid his respects to the Re
pubiicans in these words:
.Tt /. easier row than il was in the heat
OF public excitement a year ago to assert
the proposition, " hich is absolutely true,
that the exposures of corruption in tie
police department. of New York, which
were unjustly used against the Demo
cratic party at the election, were more
chargcabie TO the Republican party than
TO our own The laws which permitted
corruption were OF Republican origin;
the system which encouraged it was dis
tinctiveiy Republican,; the officers who
rod Mt VI q found ha We
participated in il " ere mostly Republicans.
ard after the exposures were made and
public sentiment properly reyolted both
against them ard the bipartisan System
which was responsible for them, it was
the Republican party, through its repre-
scntaiives in the legislature land in the
United States express office). W hich de-
libera,ely perpetuated that vicious system
and made possible recurrence Of its
evils
The contrast between Republican prom
ises and Republican performances has been
30 marked and is so fresh in the public
mind that am surprised the Saratoga con-
vention had the -,ffrontery to appeal again
to public confidence.
THE party promised reduced State ex-
penditures and it increased State taxation
nearly five million dollars. 1t promised
reduction or abolition of State offices
anui:wranI;sipns and the net results OF its
efforts in This direction was the creation
of ten new commisSioEs-some of them be-
ing likely to involve the State in considerable
annual expense.
LIT promised ''minimiZed tax rate" and
gave the people one 90 per cent. higher
than that for the preceding year. 1t was
strong in promises for municipal home rule
and when in power recklessly violated the
principle at every opportunity. The home
rule provision in the new constitution was
continually set at Baught and bill after bin
was repassed after being vetoed by the
mayor of the city to which it applied.
Local legislation was enacted regardless
OF principle wisdom, but almost solely
for grabbing political patronage. Devo-
ton to civil service reform was professed
and the law was openly violated or quietly
cvaded. Ballot reform was pledged, but
opportunity for bribing was made easier.
AN acceptable excise law was prom
vas continued in effect unn,odified. Dozens
of Investigating committees were appoint
ed to investigate State departments filled
Ds Dut
wrong doing was found.
Political boossiSm was generously de-
4ounced. but the Republican legislature
completely enslaved itself to Thomas C.
Plat and folio wed meekly his every word
Charges of official corruption against
members of the legislature were freely
made and were so serious that committees
were appointed to investigate them. Scan
dal OF this kind tainted the entire legislative
eeSsion. and public Interests were neglected
for private plumber
In contrast to this Mr.. Flower rrcounted
the admirable record of the Democracy and
then said:
PROUD TO BE A DEMOCRAT
II am proud that. as 4 Democrat. l. can
face an audience like this and appeal to
their carnestness and loyalty to work
for the success OF a party which ha "a record
for faithfulness unsurpassed-a record in
such splcndid contrast with rIat of the party
now in power. Unworthy is it OF us to allow
personal ambitions or factional selfish
ness to divide OF retard our efforts for party
success.
"A year ago there were many good peo-
pie who were deceived into
the conviction that everything
bad was Democratic. Perhaps some fool
ish Democrats helped support that couvic
ton. But to-da, ihe people are able to
judge more inteliGentiy.
"The threatened exposures of Democratic
wickedness have not come. because there
was no wickedness to expose. Through the
fire of partisan hatred and attack the
Democratic party and the Democratic rec
ord have emerged Enscathed. We are able
to-day to see the tables reversed. The peo-
pie admit that they were deceived. The
political leaders whom they trusted have
proven false. The hope OF reform through
Republican politicians has been shattered.
To-day the leaders of the Republican party
are denounced by the conspicuous cham
pions of good government. The Committee
of Seventy in New York. the good govern
ment clubs, DR.. Parkhurst, the independent
press and the better element everyw here
Of the Republican party. declare without
reserve that they have been betrayed by
their professed friends
Mr.. Flower concluded with a brief re-
vision OF national legislation, for which