The Monitor-register., 1896-10-02
Democratic county Convention.

The Democratic County Convention
was held at Elmer on Wednesday, J
Walter Pancoast being made temporary
chairman, and George Morris, of Salem,
secretary. Mr.. Pancoast, on taking The
chair, made a characteristic speech, in
which he glorifed the prospects of free
silver coinage, and the benefits that
would follow to the country.
The committees were then named, one
from each township, borough and ward
on permanent organization, rules, Gre
dentials and resolutions, after which a
recess was taken for dinner.
During the noon hour there was con.
siderable hunting for candidates, nobody
being willing to accept the honor of a
defpat.
Upon reassembling, Joseph Il. Bell, OF
Salem, was made permanent chairman,
and the reports of committees heard,
when quite a hitch occurred in finding a
candidate for Senator. Elk Assemblyman
M. f. Riley, of Shirley, was finally pre-
vailed upon to allow the use of his name
and he was nominated. j. Morris Reeves
was nominated for the Assembly, John
A.Finlaw, of l.. A. Creek, for Sheriff. and
j. r. Edwards, of Elmer; M. Elmer
Green, of Salem, and DR.. 81. P. johnson.
of Oldmans, for Coroners. r..
A committee to fill vacancies was named
as follows: Robert Gwynne, Jr., Samuel
French and Geo. W. Ayres.
The next convention will be held at
Salem.
Mr.. Riley appeared before the conven-
ton n accepted the nomination, declar-
ing that he endorsed every plank in the
Chicago platform and was for silver, ever
though the cry had gone over the county
that "Riley was a gold bug"
The convention was a very enthusiastic
one. without any division of opinion on
the free coinage question. The chairman
of the last county convention, Morris FL
Stratton, Esq, of Salem, who should have
called this one together, was o present,
having gone over to the gold standard
supporters.
At the close of the convention John T
Wright, candidate for Congress, delivered
an address.
II PLATFORM.
The following platform was adopted:
We, the Democrats of Salem county, in
convention IN do hereby endorse
the National Democratic platform at Chi
cago and the nominees thereon-W illiam j.
Bryan and Arthur Sewall. We also endorse
LAC pbilC IldIlOl LII vi OcDJ. JGn, luG COu2TtS-
slonal platform and the nominee, John T.
Wright
We call the attention of the people to the
present conditions which threaten the de-
strnction of the Republic. The present
financial policy instituted by the Republi-
can party and which they promise to main
tain has made thousands of m~illiOnaires,
impoverished the farmers and laborers. re-
duced the ownership OF home-owners from
y to 81 per cent. in thirty years, is causing
bankruptcy, ruin and starvation in a land
OF OIentV. lS nIl1np Onr AlmahOnlnQ iaiIl
and prisons to oyerfiowing and making
millions of tramps.
The sham reform of the Republican party
In this State has increased the State appro-
priations for 1897 $433, 1876 over that of 1898;
has spent $43S, 1873 for stone armories;. is
spending $lS7, 900 for militia; has increased
the militia, and thus shows thai it is ex-
pected the poverty and restitution of the
masses to so increase as to require these
preparations to suppress them, under Re-
publican policy.
Protected capital has imported foreign
pauper labor to further enrich itself while
home labor is being crushed TO the same
foreign gold standard policy.
We call attention to the planks in the Ma
tional Democratic platform which holds
that the importation of foreign pauper labor
should be prevented; that there should be
arbitrator in disputes between labor and
Incorporate capital; that the constitutional
right of trial by jury should be maintained;
that incorporate capital should be subservi-
ent to the peoples interests, from whom
they get their power, and not allowed to
continue our masters.
We demand a reduction of the salaries of
the State officers ana the State expenses,
and that the surplus State receipts be placed
to the school fund to lessen direct State
school taxes. We favor the reduction of the
legal rate of interest to 5 per cent, and
pledge our candidates, if elected, TO advo-
cate such Il reduction.
We call for the assistance of all citizens,
irrespective of former party affiliations,
who believe in the constitutional rights of
freedom of speech. freedom of the press and
the rights of laboring men to cast a vote
free from intimidation of inco1 porate CAPT
tai, to help stop further ruinous conditions
and to help restore prosperity.