The herald., 1898-10-05
BAY STATE DEMOCRATS
INSIST THAT THE SILVER ISSUE
rs NOT DEAD
IMPERIALISM IS CONDEMNED
Emphatic Demand Made for Return
to Bimetallism by the Free
Coinage Route

AssOClateQ freSS special WIRE.
WORCESTER, Mass, Oct. 4-The Dem
ocratic State Convention opened today in
Mechanics Hall with little of that excite
ment attending 1t which for the past two
or three years has been the feature Of the
meeting of the leaders of the party in this
State. Warning elements were entirely
lacking today and the proceedings were
as rule Of the most harmonious nature
This was principally due to the fact that
those who still oppose the leaders now in
authority here decided to wait another
year before again attempting to obtain
control of the party machinery.
c. ]. Callahan, chairman Of the State
Committee, called the convention to order.
The chairman and secretary Of the
State Committee were made temporary
officers Of the convention and the regular
committees were appointed, after which
Chairman Callahan addressed the conven-
ton.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Callahan's
speech the Committees on Credentials and
Permanent Organization reported. Philip
J. Doherty was made permanent chairman
and escorted to the stage, where he was
roceiVeu WITH applause.
Mr.. Callahan put silver strongly to the
fore, and denied Republican assertions Of
prosperity under the present standard He
denounced the administration for plotting
to steal from the Cuban people their inde-
pendence and opposed the retention Ct the
Philippines.
The platform has this to say Of the con-
duct Of the war:
The military administration during the
recent war has been stigma on the his
tory Of the republic and a disgrace to civili-
zaton. The army which sprang into ex-
istence has been made the prey of incom-
petents and favorites, who have fattened on
the sorrows Of American soldiers. The
brave men who fought our battle in the
West Indies were left without adequate
food, medicine or surgical assistance.
They were put under incompetent COM
manders and were left to suffer and die
with undressed wounds and burning fevers.
And hundreds of their comrades who have
returned alive have come back emacated
and ghastly, DO stagger through the streets
as living witnesses against those who
were responsible for their sufferings. We
demand that a thorough investigation by
congress, not by an administrative COM
mittee organized to acquit, shall expose the
guilty and drive them mercilessly from the
office which they have disgraced
The platform concludes by strongly en-
dorsing Bryan and George Fred williams
AT the conclusion Of Mr.. Callahans
speech the committees on credentials and
permanent gantzaton reported Philip
]. Doherty was made permanent chairman
and escorted to the stage, where he was
received with applause.
The platform in part is as follows:
"The Democracy of Massachusetts en-
dorses and reaffirms with emphasis and
profound conviction the great and pa triotIc
platform of principles adopted by the
party in national convention at Chicago in
1896. In that year both the political par
ties, confronted by a disastrous depression
in production and general business; by the
distress Of labor; by the condition Of the
financial affairs and the monetary system
III particular, declared return to bmetal-
ism to be measure calculated to remedy
the existing evils"
Then comes denunciat!on Of each party's
record on bimetallism and the statement
that the business Of the country Is IN more
deplorable state now than in 1896. This is
followed by a demand for free silver COIN
age in these words:
''The Democratic party, with conviction
and persistency which has now been con-
tirmed by the experience Of two additional
years Of disaster, again demands the re-
turn to bfmetallfsm, by restoring silver and
gold to coinage at the ratio which was
maintained during so many prosperous
years In the history Of our country the ra- :
ito Of 16 to L.
A declaration Is made that the country
should follow the policy Of Weshington al
announced in his farewell address, that we
should cultivate friendly relationships with
all nations, and entangling alliances with
none.
In following this policy, the Democratic
party declares ITS uncompromlsing opposi-
ton to Imperialism. whether within or with
out the dominion of the United States
The ticket nominated by the convention
was as follows:
Observation-Disclosures B. Bruce of wor-
cester.
t-Governor-Edward J. Slat-
terry of Framingham.
Secretary of Commonwealth-Henry
Lloyd of Boston.
Treasurer and Receiver-Gen. Pierre Bon
vouiier of Holyoke.
Auditor-Charles F. Parker of Boston.
Attorney-Patrick F. Kilroy Of Spring.
field.