Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-06-06
MISSOURI
DEMOCRATS.
Alright Between the Machine
and Anti-Machine.
ADDRESS BY Mr.. COWHERD.
lie Arraigns tho Republican Party on Its
Record - Constitution Amended but
al Rights Denied Porto Ricnns Our
Growing Burden for Military Expenses.
Dy Telegraph to virginlan- piloto

Committee over ten contesting delega-
.tions floin ST. Louis and three from
Kansas CITY blocked the deliberate oNs
OF the Missouri state Democratic Con-
vention that met here to-day to nomi-
nate full State ticket. In both in
stances 1t Was contest between Ma
chine and anti-Machine factions. The
indications to-nisht are that the anti
Machine men Will win Il majority OF the
seats. The commistee pr0oaby will re-
main in session ali night.
The es-~htions VIII more than likely
endorse Bryan and re-aiirm the plat
form of 1896 and condemn Imperialism
and trusts The only important feature
OF the day was the rumorcd effort of
National Committeeman William J.
Stones enemies TO block his way both
10 denomination, for National Commit
teeman and Delegate Large to the
National Convention, with the idea of
getting him out of the race to succeed
United States Senator George V. Vest
in 1908.
The Hon. William S. Cowherd, the
temporary chairman said in part:
his is Pres dental year and Issues
more potential for good or evil were
never submitted to the people. The
eyes of the world are fixed upon The
coming conflict in the United States,
ana they lnust find. as praise God they
preservation of the constitution and the
rights. of the people the banner of Mis-
souri, Is al the head OF the column
The present Republican administrn-
ton must stand upon the record it has
made. They claim credit for the sun
shine and flowers God has sent; for a
revival of business that has been as
world wide as was the panic that pre-
coded it, for the increase Of agricutu-
raj products brought by an indian fam
inc and an African war. Such claims
need refutaiion. They will also
claim all glory won by American arms
on land and sea, but the eople of this
country know full well no party has
any monopoly on courage or patent
right upon patriotism.
There is a record all their own which
they canpot deny, and on that record
irdct them before this audience for
crimes against the people and the poll
cics OF our government such ms no
party before ever dared dream of, and
which having committed no party can
defend. Their last CAMPAIGN was Il
campaign Of fraud and lalsehood.
BET-IED THEIR PROMISES.
They fought their battle upon plat
form. declaring thems elyss bme allists.
anu after success passed II bill the pur-
pose of which they themselves am
nounce was To more firmly fix the gold
standard upon the people Of the United
States. They denoun ell trusts. ye; it Is
known OF all men that The enormous
fund with which the last campaign was
conducted was furnished by the men
now at the head OF these Ubiquitous or
gani2a ttOus, and for every dollar they
contributed for debauchins the ballot
they have since rung ten from the ne
cessities OF the people.
They refuse To permit the tariff to he
reduced or removed even though 1t
should be proved TO the satisfaction OF
the court that the article was manufae-
tured and controlled by IA trust. They
have recently attempted 10 deceive the
e"ple by proposing constitutional
amendment giving 10 Congress the sole
VUvCr COI1tTvt trtr.-t-t- and taking
away that power from the States which
50 FAR have placed the only curb upon
these organizations.
AMENDED But ONCE.
In hundred years the constitution
has been amended but once, and this
last Republican scheme is but an effort
TO gain for the trusts an indefinite post
ponement in the forum of public opin-
ion. charge the Republican party with
violating the Constitution OF the Uni
ted states. The little Island of Porto
Rico greeted with pleasure the coming
OF the American flag.
They were only too glad of the oppor-
and fondly supposed they were hence
forth To be free men. They willingly
consented TO the cession OF their coun-
Try made in the Treaty of Paris They
believed the promises OF the Generals,
and declarations of our statesmen that
they We're To be citizens of the United
States. Our officials sent as temporary
administrators OF their affairs so as
sured them. and the president. speaking
: ~ ln 10, nd
facts. before he had been reasoned
with by parties Interested. pointed
out our plain duty, yet a Rcpub-
lcan president has ratified a law
which declares that although Porto
Rico is territory belonging to the Uni
ted States, yet in that territory the
Constitution of the United States has
no place.
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS DENIED
Although the people Of the island are
TO be subject to the laws passed by
Congress ana enforced by tn President,
yet in enacting and enforcing these
laws. Congress and the Pres dent may
work their own VIII upon these unfor-
turate people Unrestricted by any
clause in our national charter.
Gentlemen of this Convention: When
ever the rights guaranteed him by the
Constitution are denied any citizen a
blow is struck at the rights of every
citizen under the flag. Two yeare, ago
they said the cry of Imperialism was a
bogy man fit only TO Brighten children
with. To-day 1t is an accomplished fact.
The people of Porto Rico are not citi-
zeIG but subjects. ruled by laws they
had no voice in framing, paying taxes
as they had no hand in lcvying; their
liberty guarded by no charter but the
viii of their masters. II this be not i'm