Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1898-07-16


the State being present. Ex-Gov. Alt
geld was noticeable In the convention
hall. also Mayor Carter II. Harrison of
Chicago and ex-Gov. Stone OF Missouri.
Chairman J. w. Orr of the State CON-
mittee called the convention to order ut
1880. Judge William Prcntiss opened
the exercises with q speech In which he
gave an able review of the political situa-
ton us IL exists and IL was received with
applause. Judge Prentiss assumed con-
troll OF the convention and spoke as fol-
lows.
The last General Assembly. Republican In
both branches. has been openly and repeat.
edly charged by the leading Republican pa.
pers OF the state rs being the most vennl of
any III the history of Illinois. Certain laws
relating TO gas aud street railways. far.
reaching IN their character. known to lie
worth millions to wealthy corporations, but
hostile to every true interest of the people
ana most vigorously opposed by the people
themselves. were forced through both
signature Of the Governor. Though the over.
whelining majority OF the people Of Illinois,
Democrats and Republicans alike. are hos.
tile To these Vicious measures and demand
their repeal the late Republican state con.
vention. controlled as II was by the same
interests that placed those laws among the
statutes. In effect declared that they shall
remain there. The people of Illinois now
know that if the notorious Allen law or 9th.
or bad laws are ever to he repealed II must
he done by the Democratic party and BY n
Democratic Legislature. II Inns been boldly
charged by almost the united press OF the
state, ana Is universally believed. that these
laws we're passed by bribery Of the boldest
sort. and yet the Republican party. bound
by the closest ties to the great corporations
which secured their enactment. cannot. will
not. give relief. The Democratic central
committee Of the State, under the lead OF
lie able, honest. fearless chairman. has
haS tt.s ,rs.. q I'm 40 hat
while pending In the Legislature and ever
since. ] am sure that this convention. rep.
rcscntlng us u does the united Democracy
II Illinois. will not fail to demand the
prompt and unconditional repeal Of these
laws.
For the first time within the memory Of
most OF us our country Is engaged IN for.
elgn war. Though long ago and from the
hrst Democrats took the lead In advocating
the cause Of Cuba In the halls Of Congress
aud elsewhere. and finally a united Democ.
Ing Republ leans. compelled Intervention by
unwilling hands In behalf Of the outraged
and starving Cubans. aud although the iirst
American blood to be shed In the glorious
cause was the blood Of II Democrat. and al.
though the heroes of the war ON the Amcri
can eide thus far. ON land aud SEA. have
been. most of them. Democrats. still this y
not n Democratic war, nor IN II Republi'
can war. No political party can claim the
glory II II and have the claim allowed. IL
IL u war waged by the American people In
mainly.
The appointment Of the committees
TO discharge the usual duties OF the
convention was accomplished by mo-
ton made by Senator Mahoney. The
committee on permanent organization re-
ported In favor OF continuing Judge Prem.
tiss rs chairman and Secretary Bentley
ns permanent secretary. The report was
adopted.
The only fight that occurred In the con.
vention arose from selection OF members
Of the State committee. and was provoked
by the naming Of Roger &. sullivan Of
Chicago and Ben. I. Cable OF Rock Isl.
and TO represent the Fifth and Tenth Dis.
tricts respectively. Both had been gold
Democrats, but evidence OF their present
loyalty 10 the Chicago platform being
presented, both were elected. The State
Central Committee, as finally selected,
was as follows:
District Members
ALEXANDER J. Jones, Chicago.
Thomas byrnc, Chicago.
3-Wllliam ]. Roach, Chicago.
S-wiliiam Loefier. Chicago.
S-Roger G. sullivan. Chicago.
0-Robert Emmett Burke, Chicago.
7-Joseph :. schwab. Chicago.
s-Dennis J. Hogan, Geneva.
&C. W. Ferguson, Rockford:
10-Ben T. Cable, Rock Island.
ll-Daniei Heenan, streatOr.
l2-Thomas =. Donavnn. Kankakec.
I3-A. J. Bauer. Bloomington.
l4-Frank J. Quinn, Peoria.
l5-Thomas +. Dunno, Macomb.
l6-Arthur c. bentley. Plttsfeld. o..
I1-James Is. Kicks. Tayloryille.
1S-Jvdge Alexander, Hope.
10-H. D. Lee, Casey:
yQHX'altcr Watson, Fairfield.
?i-w. Scott Matthews, Kinmundy.
22-James Single, Cairo.
Members at Large-Thomas Gahan, Chi
cago; Fred y. Eldred, Chicago; o Joseph hom u
paign; J. T.. Murphy. Peoria; a. w. Hope
Alton: Frank W. Havill, Mount Carmel u
4. Mayhem, Kewaunee; william l.. Mounts
Carlnville.
Speech by John r. Aitgeld.
Gen. Orcndorf moved that while thu
convention was waiting for the report o
the committee on credentials they lister
10 a speech from Mr.. Altgeld. The mo
ton was carried with rush, and whel
the Ex-Governor stepped 10 the front o
the platform the delegates cheered hin
heartily. Three cheers and n tiger wer
given him before he was allowed TO pro
coed with his remarks:
Government Il a serious business which Ill
recty affects the happiness or misery Of
people All forward movements require
struggle Every forward step by the hu
man race mas Dten uluut rtu Win
blood. Two centuries ago the world mad
It's great struggle for freedom OF religion
and freedom OF thought; n century ago
made It's struggle for political freedom an'
for freedom u speech, and proclaimed tn
great principle that all men ARE create
equal aud that governments derive thci
Just powers from the consent u the gov
.rned as expressed by the majority.
We have moved a century forward, an
the world Is again ripe for q mighty on
ward stride. II Is now demanding iinancla
and Industrial freedom, with all Of th0s
social changes which these conditions mus
bring, A crisis Is again ncarinsi ana In
crisis neutral men, policy men, trimmcr'
traders and trlcksters become contemplate
only those men who are willing To max
sacrifices, only those men who have ID
courage 10 stand erect and defy the hosts
oppre ssiOn, can command respect. ] asl
what qualification has the Democratic part
10 lead this mighty cOntestt Has Its pas
been Of such n character as 10 give assn
ance for the future? Let Ms glance back Il
n moment and see. II was the mighty Je
ferson who wrote the Declaration or lnd
pendenCe, who organized the Democrat
spirit Of that time, ana who founded ~
Democratic party. In 1900 this party pr
vented the establishment OF an oligarchy
ruling class In this country and dccpene
the foundations Of republicnnism.
In 1913 this party secured for us not on
the mouth Of the Mississippi river, but n
thar territory stretching from New Orlcaf
northwest 20 the British possessions an
the Pacific ocean, out Of which seNcntcc
States have been formed, thus extending o.