Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-10-11


pal Delaware Democratic candidates
here last night at a massmeeetiug held
in the Opera House.
Peter }. Fod, the candidate fer gov
ornor Peter L.. Cooper, Jr., candidate
for attorney general, and Alexander M.
Daily, candidate for Congress, arrived
from Dover on the evening trRin. They
were met at the depot by Messrs. G.
Davis Brown and l.. Mcfarland, who
escorted them to the hotel, whore u
rublio reception was held, at which
Mr.. Ford and the others were presented
to the voters.
At 8 o'clock W. Z. Hall, ioe-presi-
dent Of the Fruit Growers National
Bank, orened the meeting. He intro
duced Mr.. Ford as the next governor of
Delaware This announcement was re-
spondpd to by applause.
The crowd was enthusiastic through
out and gave close attention to the
speakers. In the audience were num-
Der of ladies, who seemed 10 take in-
terest in the presentation of the Demo-
cratic side of the political question and
appauded the candidates. Among the
audience was noticeable gathering of
business men. not only OF Smyrna, but
from the other districts of the county.
The speech OF Mr.. Ford was received
with marked favor. He said in part:
ut is true that grave questions
affecting the nation have been sub.
mitted for the consideration of the
American electorate, and | wish to
refer to these questions briefly at the
outset because Of their more general
character ard because they affect alike
the people OF Delaware and of her
sister States ] will leave it to others
to discuss these questions more fully
than my limited time will allow.
mo greater menace to the true prog
ress of the country and to the success
of the individual ever presented itself
to our people than we see today in the
stupendous growth Of monopoly. Com
petition il the life of trade, and any
policy which stiles competition in
juIes the people and Injuries the gov
ernment. It Is apparent that the Re-
| publicans conduct the government for
the benefit of the wealthy. The Demo-
cratic party, by it history aud its ira
dition stand pledged to conduct the
government for the benefit OF the peo-
Pile, and it Is the people who must con-
duct it. No military glory or enter
prise must wean us from the principle
that in the people and in them alone is
found the true basis Of self-govern-
ment.
"In asking your support for myself
and my associates on the ticket, re-
joice that the same support will also be
given to worthy successor of Jeffer-
son and jackson to that fearless and
unflinching advocate Of the people, to
that stanch champion OF popular self
government, William Jennings Bryan.
IMPORTANT STATE ISSUES.
"But 1 wish to speak particularly Of
State affairs, OF our local interests and
of those things which challenge our
more Immediate consideration. Let me
say that | fully recognize the import
ance of the duties imposed by the con-
stitution on the Govern of the State.
| | give to the people my solemn assur-
ance that, il elected, i will put forth
my utmost endeavors to perfom these
duties faithfully and with the snle pur-
pose Of pomoting the general welfare
"In making appointments to office il
will be my aim to secure for the public
service men qualified by character,
reputation aud capacity for duties they
are called upon to discharge. l will re-
spect in its widest application the right
OF the Senate to consent to or reject ap.
| pointments made by me. l will re,
gard neither friend or foe in this mat
ter. My rule Of conduct will not be my
personal wish, but the demands of the
position, the interests of the people anG
their Just right that those who are SO
lected for public office should be mer
conscious of the trust repused In them
and mindful that, they are only the
servants of the people and are bounc
by the most sacred obligation to safe
guard their interests.
After declaring in favor of bettel
public schools and lower taxes, Mr..
Ford continued:
1.-THE subject of good roads has beer
discussed time out OF mind, and yet i
is uncertain whether, with oil thu
enormous sums Of money that have beer
expended on the highways of the State
any substantial and permanent I'M
provement has been made. This is 1
matter Of the greatest moment to tn,
fla mer and to all who use the publ,
roads, whether for business or pleasure
A movement for better roads is move
ment for general improvement in tn,
value Of the lands Of the State and TO
Improvement IN the facilities for trave
and transportation In this connection
invite your attention to the following
declaration in the Democratic platform
Liberal appropriations should b.
made for the construction of gooC
roads, with view OF enabling our PEG
Pile 70 market their products with tn
greatest facility. The prosperity of on
people should depend largely on thei
ability to reach profitable markets, an,
every legitimate measure lettering tn
means Of transportation will receiv
our cordial support.
PuRrTY OF THE BALLOT.
"But far above all other issues il
, this campaign is thar of preserving tn
, purity OF the ballot. shall cordial
! cooperate in every measure promoting
ballot reform. l pledge my untirin
. efforts for securing for the people Q
Delaware free ballot and a fair count
1--WE must prevent the open az,
shameless system of bribery and cor
, ruption now prevailing in Delaware
, Laws must be enacted which viii
secure the imprison Dent Of the leader
as we'll as their creatures In this in
famous trade. No money tine will
suffice. The people demand and mus
receive adequate protection against tn
J professional dobauchers OF the ballot.
ut is because the Democratic part
stands ready TO give the people Of Del
aware elem, honest and Progressive
administration that 1t appeals wit
confidence to the support of the voters
We stand firmly united against an un
scrupulous foe. The people of th
, country are watching with soIicitud
to see whether the voters of Delawar
! will suceumb before the evi whicl
threatens them or whether they vii