The Portland daily press., 1896-06-18

About noon the Democratic State con-
| vention assembled in City Hall. The at
tendance was not particularly large the
attendance from the eastern and more
remote portions of the State not being
large. On the platform with Chairman
Hughes, of the State Committe, were
Arthur Sewall, of Bath S. c. Gordon,
of Portland, Fred Plaisted of Augusta.
VIM. Fl. Clifford of Portland. VIM. G..
Daveis, of Portland, E. K. O'Brien, of
Thomsston, and Tristram Goldthwaite,
of Biddeford.
Hon. Charles T. johnson, of Water
vile, the chairman, was introduced at
once and began his opening speech. His
references to Cleyeand created great en-
thusiasm among the delegates An allu-
sion to the income tax also showed some
popularity for that measure, and sorrow
for it's early death. But the greater
shout Of approval arose when the name of
William z. Russell, of Massachusetts,
was mentioned for the Presidential nom
ination. Russell is evidently the choice
of the Maine Democrats. References to
the gold standard were also received with
considerable favor.
Mr.. Johnson s speech was long-very
long. He rendered his acknowledge
ments for the honor conferred upon him.
He eulogized the ''deep seated loyalty of
the party" which he said had its source
in something beyond mere ciinging to
false doctrines" He explained the con-
tinued existence of the party by saying
that it was built upon the enduring
granite of political economy" Crhe
speech was wri tten before the Democrats
of the Fourth district declared for free
silver at the 16 to ratio.) He whaoked
vigorously the fair weather sailors who
had deserted the Democratic ship when
clouds began to gather In the horizon,
and he oomplimented the old salts who
had stood by the hulk. In a fine burst
of eloquence he struck hands with the
young Democrats in solemn compact
that 1--WE will remain true to the precious
inheritance in which we share" Then
he turned his attention to explaining
the forlorn condition in which the ship
of state under it's Democratic COM
mander. finds itself, which explanation
was in brief that the3 previous Republi-
can administration had mismanaged
affairs, and the Wilson bill had failed to
produce sufficient revenue because of the
putting off of the income tax. AS regards
the tariff he had this to say:
Shall the Democratic party hesitat
to take its old position as the champion
of the cause of the masses against tine
classes2 Ii We were right in 'S4 and 'SS
and '92 we are right now. The Demo-
cratic party will accept the challenge,
and as long as it has an existence, will
ever be ready to stand against return TO
astute of the Republican leaders begin
to scent danger in the popular theory
that the return of their party to power
means return to the times whom tfpro-
lection run mad, +" and to hasten to give
their assurances that the Republican
party only wishes return to a tariff
adopted on the lines of protection. But
the activity OF those who expect to profit
by such action indicates that they have
other views. They want, no moderate
tariff, sufficient to compensate the man
ufacturer for the higher wages paid in
this country. They want the wall high
enough to exclude competition.
Though Brother johnson has been sad
ly turned down by Mr.. ECleveland he is
forgiving and his speech was very full
some in It's compliments to that gentle
man. de complimented his position
in the Venezuelan affair and his message
cracking the whip full in the face of
the British lion." He professed to be
glad. too, that the President had extended
the civil service law, and thought Dem
ocrat would be glad too. which is doubt
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