Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1896-05-07
DEMOCRATIC HOSTS
Gather In State Convention at Detroit
Gold Men Win.

L Inc otdtt tohNthbiOii vi IhtDlkdD
Democrats to select delegates to the
national convention was an interesting
| fight over the silver question. Elliott
| G.. Stevenson, chairman of the state
central committee, opened the conven-
ton. Alfred j. Murphy, of Detroit,
was chosen temporary chairman and
Walter Meade as secretary. Mr..
Murphy made pleasing little speech,
and then reports were made by dis
tricts with recommendations of com
mittees, with the exception of the
Fourth, where there was contest be-
tween the silver and sound money men.
| The first test of strength came on
motion to have all resolutions coming
before the convention referred to the
committee on resolutions. This was a
move of the anti-silver men. The
white metal men seemed to think that
the committee on resolutions would
not report any of their measures and
opposed the resolution. When a vote
was called for the anti-silver men had
the lead and carried the motion Com
mittees were appointed and recess
taken.
Upon reassembling the committee on
credentials reported the credentials of
delegates from Altoona, Charlevoix
Grand Traverse and Missaukee coun-
ties, were not acceptable, but by vote
of the convention the delegates were
seated. The committee on organiza-
ton reported recommending Hon. JAS
;. German as permanent chairman and
Walter Meade, as secretary. A test
vote which showed the fate of the sill
yer men was shown when they fought
to have the resolutions adopted before
delegates were elected, but the gold
men downed them by vote of 424 to
366 The selection of elegates-at-large
opened with Elliott q. Stevenson, of
Wayne, as the gold mems candidate
and Judge j. w. McGrath for the sill
verties. Mr.. Stevenson won by vote
of 473 to $40. The remaining delegate
at-large and the alternates, all sound
money men, were chosen as follows:
Thomas A. Il. Weadock, of Bay City:
Robert A. Blacker, of Manistee; Peter
White, of Marquette. ALTERNATEs-
| w. +. Darrell, of Mecosta; James
| OHara, of Berrien; n. X. Woodin, of
Calhoun; Robert Lake, of jackson.
| The district delegates were an
nounced as standing 10 for silver and
IA for gold, but this will avail nothing
TO the silver men, as the resolutions in
struct the delegation TO vote as a unit
and as the majority are for gold the
entire vote will stand for gold in the
national convention.
| ;. l.. Smith, of Detroit, chairman of
| the committee on resolutions, read the
| following as the report of the majority
of the committee:
Grover Cleveland gave TO the Democratic
| party for the first time after the war what was
| essential TO success-more votes. and when the
1 Democratic party gained its first national sue
| cess after the by his election President
| of the United States, his hrm announcement
| that having been elected. he would be inau-
| gurated, sounding like bugle call in the ears
| or doubling people, put an end TO d second
| great conspiracy TO steal the presidency.
We, the Democrats of the state OF Michigan,
| in convention assembled, salute Grover CleVe-
| land, President OF the United States, the
| great chief and leader Of the Democratic party,
| and record here. as a matter Of history
| Of which we will be proud while live, that
| we have unswervingly supported. Endorsed and
| been faithful to his leadership since he was
| called from the rank and file OF the party IA
| that leadership in 1884, He has never betrayed
| or deceived the Democratic party. ana he has
| always been faithful TO his pledges. and q
| the principles OF Democracy, when there were
| many. many faithless. We indorse the foreign
policy OF the administration as one which has
| warned of io.eign encroachment upon Ameri
! can rShtS, maintained the dignity ana prestE'
! Of our country abroad. and kindled anew IN,
! pristine patriotism Of our countrymen. We
| trust the administration which moves with
| proper conservatism IN dealing with questions
| Involving our relations with all European pow
| ers having colonies on this hemisphere to rec
| ognize the belligercncy OF the Cuban patriots
! and, as soon may be, TO give further coun
| tenance and aid TO the Cuban republic. in ac
! cordauce with the sentiment OF our people, The
| genius OF American liberty, the dictates OF
! common humanity and Of Christian civiliza
! ton.
on the finance question we recognize that thl;
| administration stands upon. and has consist
| entity carried out. the platform Of the nationa
! Democtauc convention or lSy@, on Which J.
| was elected by the people. which declared tina
| the parity OF the metals OF our currency should
| he maintained. The platform OF the nationa
| convention on this question which has carried
| the country overwhelmingly for our part,
/ should be the doctrine OF Democrats until
| new platform Is formed by another nationa
! convention To that convention, to be helt
! at Chicago on July Z 1896 we remit this sub
| iect with confidence in the wisdom and patriot
| ism of that body. The Michigan delegation
20 the national Democratic convention is in
structed to vote unit on all questions
coming before the convention.
! The Democratic party is unaterably opposed
| pOlltiCd
purposes by those who seek to breed discorC
and animosity among the citizens OF this re
| public. Secret political bodies formed or use,
for depriving any citizen Of his right TO vote
| hold Office or earn hls living illegal, COW
ardly and unA American. AZ such a secre
political body denounce the American Pro
tective Association.
When the platform had been reac
Judge Q. c. Smith, of Lansing silvel
man, read the following as the repor
of the minority of the committee:
The Democrats OF Michigan renew their al
legiance TO the principles of Thomas jefferson
Jackson and "A long list OF patriots and states
men who have adorned the record OF the party
! OF pauperism. suicide. crime and insanity. an
other evidences ut despair. in land so boun
| tifully blessed by Providence as is ours w
believe that these conditions are principally tn
result OF bad laws and misgovernment. w
affirm that the financial question and the re
| none tization Of silver the paramount an
supreme issues Of the hour. That "A return o
prosperity can only be enjoyed by peopl
through the fun remonCt zation of silver an
its equal standa ri money with gold
without discrimination OF any kind by tn
| government In the laws. We demand
system Of American money. and the restoration
OF silver TO all the rights OF mintage $ money
! which Il received prior to its demonetiz io
| in 1873 and upon the ratio OF 10 TO l. withou
regard to the action OF any other country o
earth.
Judge Smith made long speech 70
the resolution, protesting against tn,
turn-down of the silver men, but hi