Evening star., 1897-04-13
APPEAL TO VOTERS
Action of the Executive Committee of
Democratic Clubs.
GENERAL ORGANIZATION URGED
The Pending Tariff Bill Attacked in
Strong Terms.
7 E X T OF THE ADDRESS

- - ~ l. " l. II ~ II IL n Il . -
The meeting of the executive committee
OF the National Association of Democratic
| clubs, which convened at the Ebbitt House
yesterday morning, and took q recess out
OF respect to the late ex-senator voorhees,
until late In the afternoon, was attended
oy nearly all the members I'm addition to
oincers OF the organization. Among them
| were Chauncey F. Black and Joseph c.
| sibley OF Pennsylvania, Senator Faulkner,
Representative McMilin of Tennessee
Representative Benton of Missouri. proxy
for Governor Stone; George Fred Williams
| OF Massachusetts, Lloyd L. jackson of
Maryland, William J. Bryan of Nebraska
proxy for James c. Dahlman: Representa-
| tive Mcguire of California, proxy for Sem
ator White; Representative Allen of Mis-
sissippi. proxy for Senator Money; James
| Kerr OF pennsylvania, Josephus Daniels
OF North Carolina, +. Chambers Smith of
North Carolina. Mr. H. Burch of New
Jersey. proxy for G. II. Lambert; Repre-
sentative ]. H. Lewis Of Washington state
Senator Chiffon of Texas. proxy for Gov
| ernor Hogg, and W. s. McKean assistant
secretary. Lawrence Gardner, the secre-
| tary. was unable to attend, owing to the
| illness of his mother. Mr.. McMillin was
unanimously chosen chairman to serve for
| the next four years.
A Satisfactory Condition Reported.
The reports of the officers showed a very
satisfactory condition Of the affairs of the
association. During the campaign there
were in existence 1900 democratic cam
paign clubs. 5000 of which had been
| formed during the campaign, and which
| lapsed after the election. There are ap-
proximately 5000 clubs still in existence
The report of the treasurer showed small
| Indebtedness, which was promptly provided
| for and new fund for carrying on the
work in hand was created. There was
\ very general discussion of the work that
| had been done during the past campaign
and the methods and measures to be
adopted for the future.
| An Address TO Voters.
A committee. consisting of Messrs. Black,
| McMillin and Mcguire, was appointed to
prepare an address to the democratic voters
| Of the country, which the committee unani-
| mously adopted. The address is as follows
Tie objects of this association, as set forth
/ in this constitution, are these:
To foster the formation OF permanent democratic
CLUBS and societies throughout the Uaitcd States,
and insure their active co-opera in disseminat-
Ing Jehersonian lTinciples OF government.
40 preserve the Constitution OF the United States
the autonomy of the states, local selfgoyernulent
| and freedom of election
To oppose the imposition of taxes beyond the
kctssitieS Oh SuSel ni;icnt ecDIoulcally admin
1 istered-
| 10 promote economy in ell branches Of the public
service.
| To oppose unnecessary commercial restrictions
70; the benefit Of the few at the expense of the
many.
To oppose class legislation which despoIls labor
@Id builds up monopoly.
To ss 9s pcp
To Cooperate with the regular organizatfon OF
nen and trs easares m support OF
| These the principles of Jefferson and of the
del ocratic party. never surrendered abandoned
| 10 any Of the nrnierous and grave vicissitudes
since the adoption of the co1stfturfon and the
formation of political parties. They essential.
as every Intelligent citizen Is aware, to the pres
efratoa u the republic. and OF the rights Of the
| states and OF the people. Their importance is
self-evdent, and We do not propose any vindica-
ton or exposition of them
But as members Of the executive committee
| assembled at time when these fundamental prin-
cfples about to be disregarded by admin
| istratiOn recently Installed, and by a large ma
jotity Of the House Of Representations proccedng
almost avowedly their fortuitous Iower to
lay the country and all its classes under tribute
| a combination CT monopolies, in utter con-
tempt of constitutional limitations Of republican
principles Gnd OF popular rights, we feel it our
duty to call your attention to rhe peculiar sit
uatiou and to urge yOu to that vigilance which
has ever been and ever must be the price Of lib
When apparent majority OF, the votes of the
| people was counted out Of the ballot boxes hast
year in favor of the republican candidates for
President and Vice President while we depored the
result and were convinced that no possible relief
cogld be afforded by the party so returned to power
we we-e more than willing TO afford its agents
| every opportunity to demonstrate whether not
| their policies We're adequate.
In common with many who last year voted
publican tickets under secret protest and with
serious misgiying to the future, supposed
that the administration and its friends I'm Congress-
charged with unlimited power and conscious of the
grave responsibility. would realize the necessity of
would. at all events. not feel it incumbent upon
them to further disturb the business Of the peopl.
by rushing into revision Of the tariff laws the
sole purpose Of repaying the outIays OF the
combined monopolists in the hate campaign. But
solved TO grant delay in the execution of a fixed
and ruthless design. They insist that taxes are not
be made higher. And the producing people. already
impoverished by adverse Legislation. 10 be forced
to suffer still in the Increased prices OF their
clothing their food and other necessaries of life.
including implements OF their industries This
bill of abomnat tons. itself. has esa pashed through
the House under practical gag law and Is pend
against the freedom of debate. aud where passage
is TO be forced by the Use of executive patronage
reserved for the purpose.
United States are to get instead Of the bread they
ises made to them other mat ters ami the
hopes they We're led TO form through the exfraOr-
| the hate campaign are to be similarly disposed OF
can hardly be an object of conjecture. A party
which openly uses the terrible power of taxation
for private enrichnent and for corresponding op-
pression OF the people cannot be expected TO
any other power with moderation and Justice. Al
though the paramount question before the people
was and is trnf of the single gold standard.
silver, and a mighty ms ority Of the Whole people
declared unequiyocally for bimetallism. either
dependently or by International agreement prom
Used by the republican party. not the slight
est indication Of any disposition to in that
direction While all industries Ianguish. while the
gold dollar appreciates and the silver dollar is
MED its natural economic function. while a nation
waits and suffers, tarin schedules being re-
yised for the exclusive benefit Of the tax eaters
and the gold owners are tactly assured that they
need apprehend no encrachmrnt upon the mo
nopOly which is visiby appropratfng the profits
upon the labors OF civilized mankind To the bitter
complaints OF the people the answer of the Roman
Farmer of the Revenues is returned namely More
taxes and dearer currency with which to nav
them
Federalist administrations have uniformly run
into excuses, but unlike those are witnessing
ut present; but never before In the history of the
republic have they been canldly aysws4i or 30
coOly justified as party policy rendered necessary
by campaign contracts, IN order to secure the
power thus TO he abused. The administrstion and
Congress having taken this attitude and again
thrown the gauge Of battle to the allisd hosts Of
American freeruen who supported the democratic
candidates last year-casting their millions OF un-
purchased votes for liberty regulated by law-we
of the democratic party are Jeff alternative hut
take II up: Is far struigrt today than
ever before. We have only TO organize 10 bring
right thinking and right feeling people together IN
democratic soeieties-where the designs Of the