Birmingham age-herald., 1895-09-24
THE GREAT UNTERR|F|ED
Including Tammany, the Tiger,
 and Other Democrats
NOW READY FOR THE FRAY
A Platform Broad Enough for All Prepared Hill on the Battle Ground-Against
 Unlimited Silver Conag'.

Syracuse, N. Y, Sept. 23.-The great unterrified, the democracy of the Empire State is here with brass bands and a hurrah. Crowds fill the street, flags fly from house tops, bunting is plentiful and as for enthusiasm and candidates there is surplus of both. Red fire burns in front of Tammany headquarters tonight, and the hotel Hobbies are packed with perspiring politicians. Of all recent con ventions the one which will meet tomor- row promises to be the most interesting. Ii will be d convention run by the dele gates There is no slate with an invinci- ble machine behind it, and no cut and dried programme, platform and candi- dates, and the contest will be fought over on the floor of the convention. There will be strife between Tammany and the state democracy, and strife that will be more lurid than the glare of red fire in front of the tigers lair tonight. Sentiment all over the state seems to favor liberal treatment of contestants, and at least partial recognition for the Grace-Fairchild people of New York city, but Tammany says no" and to all en- treaties and appeals Tammany again says mo" Senator Hill is for admitting the Grace men. Senator Murphy is for shutting them out. Boss Croker is not here, but his influence is felt and it is all against letting the men in who helped
  the victors spells with republicans.
 Upon the admission of the state de- mocracy depends in large measure the action of the German-Americans Lib eral trea tment of the Grace-Fairchild men will mean the gain of many German votes. Another great question to be set tied. which will affect the German vote, is that of excise and Sunday opening. From all that can be learned the demo- crats will not dodge the issue, but will make the most radical utterance that has found it's way into party platform in some time.
 All the big leaders are here. Senators Hill and Murphy. ex-Governor Flower, who will be permanent chairman; Ed ward M. Shepard who le; ( nls faction into the convention with one third rep resentation, and all the big Tammany leaders are on the field ready for the bus mess of the morrow. The preliminary draft of the platform has been made. Some of the blanks are being smoothed down so that no one need trip up over them, but the material is in place.
 The platform will be one of the tersest that has ever been presented to any dem ocratic state convention since 1874. It will cover more ground than any plat form in the last twenty years. and the great variety of subjects treated will be concisely disposed of. It will declare for honest purpose and against legisla tive bribery. Economy In public expenditures will be dwelt upon at length as one of the founda tion stones of the democratic party. Home rule for municipal parties and equal taxation will be upheld in sep arate blanks.
 Under the head of Personal Liberty of the Individual' the democratic party will declare for home rule and local op- ton as regards the Sunday laws This plank will in effect place the party in favor Of general law with a provision that local option may be possible in a municipality or community by a major ity vote, so that the people may be able to determine themselves what access they shall have to the necessities and con veniences of life on the Sabbath day. The financial plank will, it is confidently expected, meet with the appreciation of all concerned It will demand an agree ment among foreign powers for the com mon use of gold and silver until such an agreement can be brought about The national administration will be indorsed
 United States Senator David B. Hill attended the meeting tonight for the frSt time In ten years. The committee was called to order at o'clock by Chair man Hinckly of the democratic state committee. The committee resolved to recommend to the convention the selec- tion of f1ve-poiDted black star as the emblem of the democratic party in this state, which Is to head the column con- taining the democratic candidates on the blank ballot.
 The committee named the Hon. Perry Belmont of New York city as temporary chairman at the convention which is to convene tomorrow.
 The Richmond contest was settled by substituting one of the names of the contestants in place of that of one of the regular delegates.
 At 1920 o'clock the committee adjourned until 9:30 o'clock tomorrow morning. when it is understood that the scheme for the enlargement of the state committee will be considered
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