Evening star., 1900-10-12
James M. Beck Tells Why He Left
the Democratic Party.
TALKTOPENNSYLVANIA REPUBLICANS
Democratic Meetings Held in City
and Maryland.
AND SUBJ ECTS

of the mcst earnest and able of democratic
orators, and who toured the country In
1892 in behalf of the issues of that party,
In company with the officers of the Ma
tional Association of Democratic Clubs,
told a large assemblage at the Pennsyl-
vania Republican Associations meeting
last night why he had become republican.
Mr. Beck is now assistant attorney gen.
eral of the United States, succeeding pres
ent Judge Boyd, and was previous to his
elevation United States district attorney
for the district embracing Philadelphia
After expressing his pleasure at meeting
the members of the association. Mr.. Beck
said he could not claim lifelong devotion
to the republican party because he had
been from 1876 to 1895 a consistent and
ardent democrat of the old school. His in
ability to change his convictions on the
subject of the currency compelled him to
leave the democratic party in 1896. Con-
sldering the attacks of that party upon
the present policy Of the nation in the
Philippines, Mr.. Beck declared that the
Spanish-American war a war of the
whole people: the Paris treaty had been
negotiated by representatives of both par
ties and ratified by two-thrds of the Sen
ate. Both parties were therefore response
BILE for the war and it's results and should
assume the responsibility growing out Of 1t
as their common glory.
Campaign of Defamation Alleged.
Continuing, Mr.. Beck spoke in part as
follows:
'"The campaign of the democratic party
has become one of defama ation-defamatio
not of an individual a party, but of
nation-and if it should prove successful
the prestige of the republic would necessar-
lily suffer throughout the world. If the
American people themselves, by electing
Mr. Bryan, shall set the seal of their dis
approval upon their own acts other coun-
tries, and indeed posterity, can be par
doned if they pass no more lenient 3udg-
ment upon what was done
Fortunately, the American people are
not going to take a backward step. They
are not in the habit of beating a retreat,
nor have they the slightest occasion for ac
knowledging that they have been wrong.
They know that they did not desire the
Spanish-American war, but that the inter-
eSts of civilization imperatiVely required
it. and they further know that after the
destruction of Spanish rule in the Philip
pine Islands 1t was as necessary for the
United States to become responsible for
the preservation of life and property as II
was in the case of Cuba. They have still
the spirit of Andrew Jackson who de-
clned to discuss any proposition with any
one who was aiming a gun at him and
threatening to shoot him, and without re-
gard to the captious and unpatriotic critt-
cisms of Bryan and his followers the
American people will justify themselves
present wise and noble-hearted President"
Brief addresses were made by MesSrs.
Schneider and Hench.
Previous to the speaking business meet
ing of the association was held. Several
new members were admitted, and an execu-
tive committee to have charge of arrange
ments for sending home voters was APP
pointed. consisting of Samuel R. Stratton,
chairman F. A. Weaver, vice chairman;
w. B. Stuart, Almond s. Craig. John II.
Frederick, Albert Morgan and J. A. Bobb.
Kentucky Republicans.
1t was reported at the meeting of the
Kentucky Republican Association last
night that over 200 members had made ap-
plication for transportation to their re-
spective voting places in the blue grass
state. For registering a number who live
in distant parts of the state will leave next
Wednesday, while the others. living at
nearer points, will leave Saturday. The
meeting was addressed by ex-Representa-
tive Irvine DUNCAN of Ohio and j. Madison
Cults, former democrats, who referred to
the national prosperity and honor as justi-
flying the change in their party fealty.
Democratic Gatherings.
Charles f. Douglass was the chief speaker
before tn. East Washington Democratic
Club at its meeting held last night in Nc
Cauley's Hail. and he made highly favor
able impression. Imperialism was his
theme, and he treated it at length from the
democratic standpoint. He also referred to
trusts and silver. Remarks were also made
by j. ]. Blick Of Virginia and Fred. Schade,
and o. Is. Hallam, who presided gave an
account of he recent meeting of democratic
clubs at Indianapolis, and predicted pu-
Tality of 1900 to 5000 for Bryan would
be rolled up in Indiana in November.
The original Young Mems Democratic
Club of the District which was organized
I'm 1884, and of which j. Fred Kelley is
president. met last night at the Metropoli-
tan Hotel and determined to attend in q
body the Baltimore meeting which Mr.
Bryan is to address. Ten new members
were admitted and short addresses on the
party issues were made by President kel-
ley, MesSrS. Graafe, LAWYER and others.
Meetings were held under the auspices of
the District of Columbia Democratic Asso-
cation at Potomac and Glen Echo Md,
yesterday afternoon and last night, both Of
which were addressed by Daniel O'Driscoll,
who said he had renounced the republican
party. with which he had been alwayS
identified heretofore, because 1T had re-
undated the Decla ration of Independence
and the Constitution. Mr.. Lemuel Via also
spoke at both meetings, taking imperialism
and trusts for his themes. Both speakers
will address meetings al O'Clock today at
Lay Hill, and 80 o'clock tonight at Forest
Glen.
Sound Money and Good Government.
The executive committee of the Sound
Money and Good Government Club of this
city held a meeting at the headquarters of
the cub, Room IA, Sun building, yesterday
afternoon.
The chairmen of the various committees
were present as follows: Finance and
membership, Col. Thomas Hopkins; public
meetings, Geo. A King; public documents
and literature, E. F. Coliaday; auditing
committee, H. H. Darneille; transportation
committee, F. B. Crosthwaite. All -e-
ported progress in their respective spheres
The executive committee fixed the fee for
membership in the club at s.. All republi-
cans gold democrats and others interested
in the election of Mckinley and Roosevelt;
are invited to become members. All such
should report their desire to any of the
officers of the club or to Col. Thomas Hop
kins.
The secretary, VIM. Frye White, has at
his office in the Sun building large supply
of campaign literature for distribution IN
Maryland, West Virginia and elsewhere.
The executive committee Is arranging for
one or more public meetings to be held In
this city under the auspices Of this club In
the near future. 1t has a large list OF
speakers on it's rolls who hold themselves
in readiness to assist any of the various
clubs or the state and county committees
in this vicinity. Mr. Geo. A. King chair