Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-10-01


ocratic city convention tonight nomi-
mated Robert A. Van Wick for Mayor;
Bird S. Coler, for Comptroller, and
Jacob c. Rupert, Jr., for President Of
the Council of Greater New York.
The platform adopted practically ig-
nores national issues, declaring at the
outset: 1--WE regard as the supreme
issue of the municipal campaign the
Inauguration of a wise, liberal, honest
and Democratic government in place Of
the present costly, wasteful, illiberal
and inefficient administration"
1.-THE prodigality, inefficiency and
hypocrisy" of the present city admin
istration is condemned, and it is said
to have produced "a corrupt, expensive,
fractions, discordant, intolerant and
incapable government, that has i'm
paired the credit, increased and aug
mented the debt of the city,"
The platform declares for home rule
in city government and denounces the
dictation of the State legislature in
municipal affairs. Laws that "curtail
the personal liberty of the citizen in
the practice Of innocent customs and
in the pursuit of harmless pleasures"
are condemned and their liberal ad-
ministration is demanded until they
are repealed. The Raines liquor law is
condemned as iniquitous and intoler-
ant, subversive of personal liberty and
injurious to business interests, while
encouraging intemperance and failing
to suppress vice. It's prompt repeal is
demanded. Trusts are denounced as
fatal to the prosperity of the people.
The public franchise plank declares:
eve favor municipal ownership and
control of all municipal franchises.
fran ERE IS m If peTpSstdffy. We oppose
the granting or extending of any such
franchise, or the bestowal Of any new
privilege upon a corporation holding
such franchise, without adequate
compensation"
The platform demands that the
price Of gas be reduced to 81 or less
per 1000 cubic feet Capital, the plat
form declares, should bear its full
share of the burdens of government
and should deal justly with labor. The
progress of organized labor, the plat
form views with rejoicing; enforce
ment of the labor laws is insisted on
and "the extension of the law of in
junction in suppression of the strug-
giles of the laboring Masses" evokes
protest. The platform says further:
I'VE protest against the punish
ment of alleged violation of such in
functions upon the sentence of tri-
bunal that is at once the accuser,
jury and judge, and which proceeds
upon evidence unknown to law, as
proof of guilt, and we demand that
charges of contempt, not committed
in the immediate view and presence
Of the court, shall be presented by in
dictment, tried by jury and safe
guarded by all the securities providB1
for the protection of innocent against
unjust conviction"
The platform pledges the Democracy
to improve the schools, provide rapid
transit, recreation grounds, good
reads, bicycle paths, small parks and
rier gardens.
Richard Croker did not attend the
convention. John c. Sheehan was
loudly cheered when he appeared. The
convention was opened at SIP p. N.
by John C. Sheehan, who nominated
Congressman Amos ]. Cummings for
temporary chairman. In his speech on
taking the chair, Mr.. Cummings said:
This is an age in which associated
wealth is marshalled, organized and
equipped for municipal. State and ma
tional control. Gradually and stealth
lily it has taken possession OF the eita-
del. seized upon all its approaches and
now raises its braZen front to terrify
all who venture TO question its supre-
macy. Want, if it does not obey its
mandates. is threatened with greater
want. Destitution, humiliation and
finally death will follow in its wake.
Millions in q day made by a govern
ment pawn broker is hailed as a great
achievement, while honest wages are
deplored as an intolerable burden up
on the savings OF the pawnbroker
Never was there stronger call for true
Democracy than there is to-day. for it
is matter Of public notoriety that its
wholesome truths are disregarded. its
wholesome efforts restrained, its whole
some purpose thwarted.'
The crowd was very noisy during the
roil-call. When the name of Delegate
Richard Croker was called there was
not even a ripple of applause Com
mittees were appointed and a recess OF
thirty minutes taken.
The convention reassembIed at s:25
O'Clock. Almet F. jerks was appoint
ed permanent chairman, and took the
gaveI
The resolutions recently adopted by
the Democratic Union recommending
for consideration as candidates for the
Mayoralty nomination the names d
Robert 4. Van Wick. Hugh J. Grant