Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-13
CLUBS.
MEETING OF EXECUTIVE COMMIT
TEE OF NATIONAL ASSN.
ADDRESS TO PARTY VOTERS.
An Appeal for Orgnnizndon-The
RepubIican Increase of Taxntion-
The stone They Are GIVING ihste""
of Bread.

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. April R.-The
fire, rraetine of the Executive Committee
of the National Association OF Demo-
cratic Clubs took place here at the Ebbltt
House to-day. There was a fun attend
ance of members. and in addition, some
Of the officers who are ex-officio members
of the committees, those present includihg
Hon. Chauncy f. Black. OF Pennsylva-
MIA: Hon. Joseph c. Sib.ey. OF Pennsyl-
vania; Senator Faulkner, OF west Nr-
glnia; Representative Benton McMillin'
of Tennessee; Representative Benton, OF
Missouri, proxy for Governor stone;
Hon. George Fred Williams, Of Massa-
chusetts; Lloyd l.. Jackson, of Maryland;
Hon. w. j. Bryan, of Nebraska, proxy
for James c. Dahman; Representative
Mcclure OF California, proxy for Senator
White. of the same State; Representative
Allen. of Mississippi. proxy for senator
Money. o. the same State; Hon. James
Kerr. of Pennsylvania; Vice-President
Iosephus Danie's. of North Carolina; Il.
Chambers Smith, of North Carolina; MIR.
Burch. of New Jersey, proxy for q. IL.
Lambert; Representative j. III. Lewis, Oh
Washington State; Senator Chiffon, OF
Texas. proxy for Governor Hogg and w.
S. Mexican, assistant secretary. Law
renee Gardner, the secretary, was unable
TO attend. owing to Illness in his family
Mr.. McMnin was chosen to preside over
the deliberations of the committee
The members OF the committee say the
meeting was more fully attended and the
interest displayed was greater than at
any previous gathering of the committee
after a defeat in a previous campaign.
A very satisfactory condition Of affalrs
was shown. During the campaign there
were in existence 1900 Democratic CLUBS
5000 of which had been formed during the
campaign and lapsed after the election
There are approximately 5000 clubs IN ex-
istence now. The report of the treasurer
showed a small Indebtedness. which was
promptly provided for, and a new tund
for carrying on the work in hand was
created
There was a very general discussion OF
the work that had been done during the
past campaign. and the methods anu
measures 10 be adopted for the tuture'
A committee consisting of Messrs. Back
McMilln. and Mcclure was appointed 10
prepare an address to the Democrallc
voters of the country, and its report was
adopted as follows: THE objects OF TINS
association. as set forth in its constltu-
| tion, are these:
ADDRESS.
ITO foster the formation of permanent
Democratic clubs and societies through
| ONT the United States, and insure their
active cooperation in disseminating JeI-
fersonian principles of government.
.'ro preserve the Constitution OF the
limited States. the autonomy OF the
States local self-government, ana liee-
| dom Of elections.
"To resist revolutionary changes ana
the Capitalization Of power.
''To oppose the imposition OF taxes pe-
| vond the necessities of government, eco
nomlcally administered.
"To promote economy in all branches OF
the public service. IL, 49,.
ITO oppose unnecessary commercial re-
| strictions for the benefit OF the lew dl
| the expense of the many.
| ITO oppose class legislation, Whlch ue-
snoils .abor and builds up monopolies.
80 maintain inviolate the fundamental
nrinciple of Democracy-equality before
| the law, and
| "To co-operate with the regular organl-
zation of the Democratic party in sup
| mort of Democratic men and Democratic
| measures.
"These are the principles of Jefferson
| and of the Democratic party, never sur
| rendered or abandoned in any OF the
numerous and grave vicissitudes since
! the adoption OF the Constitution and the
formation of political parties. They are
essential as every intelligent citizen Is
aware. to the preservation OF the re-
public and of the rights of the states
| and OF the people Their importance Is
self-evident, and we do not propose any
vindication or exposition OF them.
REPUBLICAN PROGRAMME.
"But as members of the Executive
| Committee. assembled at a time when
| these Fundamental principles are about
10 be dsregarded by the administration
| lately installed, and by large majority
Of the House of Representatives. who
| propose almost avowedly 70 exert their
| fortuitous power TO place all classes under
| tribute to a vast combination OF monop-
lies. in utter defiance OF constitutional
| limitations, of Republican principles, and
| of popular rights. we feel II our duty
to call your attention TO the peculiar
| situation. and to urge you 10 that vigi-
lance which has ever been and ever must
| be the price OF liberty.
when an apparent majority of the
votes OF the people was counted out Of
the ballot-boxes last year. In favor OF
the Republican candidates for President
and Vice-President. while Ue teplore
/ the result, and were convinced that no
possible relief could be afforded by the
| party so returned 10 power. we were
| more than willing to afford its agents
every opportunity 10 demonstrate
whether or not their policies were ade-
| quate.
In common, with many who last year
| voted Republican tickets under secret
protest, and with serious misgivings az
to the future. We supposed that the ad-
ministration and its friends in Congress.
charged with unlimited power. and con-
scious Of their grave responsibility would
realize the necessity of proceeding in a
| rational manner. and that they would at
all events not feel IL incumbent upon
! them TO further disturb the business OF
| the people by rushing into a revision OF
| the tariff laws for the sole purpose of
| repaying the vast outlays Of the COM
| bined monopolists I'm the late campaign.
| But we see al this time with alarm that
| they are resolved TO grant no uelay III
| the execution of fixed and ruthless de-
sign. They insist that taxes are not
| high enough under the present law. They
| are to be made higher. and the producing
people already impoverished by adverse
| legislation, are 10 be forced to suffer
still more I'm the increased prices of their
clothing. their food. and the other neces-
saries of life including the implements
of their Industries. This monstrous bill,
lit successor 70 the Mckinley tariff bill.
| a bill OF denominations itself, has been
pushed through the House under practical
| gag-law and is now pending In the
Senate. where already threats are heard
against the freedom or debate ana where
i .la..I lnr h. -