The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-07

IN ASSUMING THE DUTIES or PRE-
SIDING OFFICER.
His Address seemed 10 Please the
Convention Delegates and
Others Assembled.
A REVIEW OF THE ISSUES
THE ADMINISTRATION ATTACKED IN
THE USUAL WAY.
Chairman RaIston Also Had some In
kind Words 40 Say About
Governor Mount.
THE PLATFORM AS ADOPTED
RESULT OF CONSIDERABLE wRANG-
LING THE NIGHT BEFORE
Ii Is n Conservative Document from
the Standpoint OF Radi-
cal Silverites.
Chairman Ralston Also Had some In
kind Words 40 Say About
Governor Mount.
THE PLATFORM as ADOPTED
RESULT OF CONSIDERABLE wRANG-
LING THE NIGHT BEFORE
Ii Is Conservative Document from
the Standpoint OF Radi-
cal SiIverites.

In assuming the duties OF presiding of
ficer of the Democratic state convention
Samuel NJ. Ralston. of Lebanon. made a
speech that seemed TO please the conven-
ton In full. his address was follows:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen OF the
Convention-l accept your gavel in obedi-
ence to your command. In yielding 10 your
wishes / am honored far beyond my de-
serts- To preside over the deliberations Of
this magnificent body of Indiana Demo-
Gratis. assembled upon this momentous oc-
casion 10 take counsel OF one another in
matters touching the affairs Of State and
Of free government, is honor enough for
a lifetime, and from the innermost recesses
of my heart thank you for It,
1t shall be my purpose-my ambition
gentlemen, TO be absolutely fair I'm all I
shall do as your presiding officer, but being
unschooled in parliamentary usage and the
duties OF my office. my success as chairman
must OF necessity depend I'm large degree
upon your charitable assistance and for
bearance. III i knew 1 were not TO have
your patience, your aid. / would now with
draw and ask you TO call someone else to
the chair. But 1 am not afraid. You will
be with me and will strengthen me and
support me.
.'You Will, too, without my urging. trans
act the business OF this convention i'm a
manner becoming TO those whose duties
call them to deal with great questions
themes of both State and national import
and thus wisely set an example 10 your
brethren throughout the State, whose
representatives you are, of the Importance
OF Democrats laying their heads together
and having their hearts beat one I'm
support of the platform you adopt and the
ticket you nominate.
THE declaration of principles you shall
make, will, / am confident, be approved
by our party and supported by many who
have not heretofore affiliated with H. rhe
plea that can and will be made for the
success Of the ticket you name. Will not
be groundless, but all convincing, and VIC
tory Will be emblazoned on its banners
next November.
why should not the Democratic party
succeed in Indiana at the next election7
Does not its record I'm State affairs inspire
confidence and guarantee a full and sat
isfactory discharge cha s OF % duties imposed by
ocratic stewardship in Indiana Is a long
and glorious one. IL has elected encom-
iums from those not of our political faith.
in the sisterhood OF States. The common
school system of Indiana, so popular
throughout the Union, ana the penevo-
impulses of every humane and generously
disposed citizen of the State. both the
product of Democratic statesmanship
ATTITUDE OF THE PARTY.
ct cannot, on an occasion like this. re-
view the legislation OF the Democratic
party friendly to the great army OF men
on whose labors the Nations Industrial
progress depends The policy of our party
has been to enact laws for all the people
II had regard for the welfare Of the State
as a whole when IL gave the people the
Australian election law. The interest of the
rich and the poor. the pretentious and the
humble was served in a high degree when
the Democratic party declared its uncom-
promising enmity to the school-book trust
and drove from the State the octopus that
had rendered IL next TO impossible for the
of widow
secure an education
mo discussion of State affairs would be
complete without a reference to that meas
gre of Democratic wisdom and Republican
hatred known as the tax law. The condi-
tion of the public finances prior TO 1891 had
become so alarming that clearly the time
had arrived when nothing short OF high
order of craftsmanship could rescue our
State government from financial emhar-
rassment.
Under the guidance of wise leadership
the tax law, bottomed on the principle that
all property. regardless OF ownership,
should be assessed at a fair cash value. was
given to the people. Every one Is familiar
with the severe things that have been said
about this law by the Republican press
and Republican politicians. 1t has been
characterized as being law enacted In the
interest of the corporation and against the
farmer and the laboring classes
Senator Fairbanks, as the presiding offi-
Ger of the Republican state convention AZ
Fort Wayne i'm 1892. in his assault upon the
law. exhausted the vocabulary OF Billings
gate. and finally. 10 rid himself OF all the
vitriol of his nature, he denounced II a. a
Democratic measure. Its Democratic or
igfn. in the senator's judgment. was suf-
fcient 20 render IL odious TO all right think
ing people.
:sBut it's workings have been so satisfac-
tory that no Republican Legislature has
dared to repeal IL. Under It's operation the
State debt which was at the time the law
took effect more than $S.0O0,0Oc. has been
materially reduced and is In gradual course
..E Hfsaaf
..The Republican party of Indiana. in fts
state platform recently adopted I'm this hall.
takes credit for reducing the state oept
during Governor Mounts administration
Why my friends the Republican party has
devised no means for the payment OF this
debt The money paid by this administra-
tion ON the state debt raised through
the operation of that odious Democratic
measure'-the tax law The only thing this
administration fs entitled 10 credit for I'm
connection with tne paylns .. 'nat neot
through Democratic legislation is for avoid
ing the methods Of Nicely In handling the
funds. The money was not stolen. but
nroneriv applied For favors Of this char
acfer the people Of the State are truly
grateful and the Republican party Is 10 Be
Congratulated For. the present chief ex,
ecurive OF Indiana have no enmity OF III
will am his friend. and on more than one
occasion have taken pleasure In speaking
words of commendation OF him and his ad-
ministration.
THE FINLEY NATTER
"But while my personal relation with
him has been most agreeable. ! reserve
the right TO protest with all the earnest-
ness at my command against his tearing
into threads and trampling under foot Ger
tain constitutional and statutory provisions
that he may harbor in Indiana men
charged with the fearful crime OF murder
in a sister State. The national Constitution
provides: "A person charged IN any State
with treason. felony. or other crime. who