The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-29

elected would absolutely refuse to be In
structed for him or the Chicago platform.
This defiance of well-known public senti-
ment and refusal TO carry out the almost
unanimous declaration of the Democracy
was the cause of many enthusiastic public
meetings, held where earnest and emphat-
ic resolutions and protests were passed.
with unanimity never before experienced
in the history of any political party in the
District of Columbia AT all these mass
meetings. the sentiment was unanimous
against the selection of any Democrat who
expressed his treachery to the sentiment
of Democracy by refusing to be instructed.
The indignation became more intense when
as the time of the primaries approached
these self-constituted leaders. in order to
avert the storm of public indignation. pro-
claimed that they saw a new light, and
were now willing to receive instructions.
thus convincing the people that they Were
utterly unreliable. and would resort to any
subterfuge to betray the people and their
peerless champion, William Jennings Bry-
an: and
Whereas when the hour arrived for hold
ing the primary election the honest en-
thusiastic, orderly. and respectable Democ-
racy Of this district assembled at the poll
ing places they found all of the various
polls in the hands of self-constituted die
tators. who refused to the people the right
to organize their meetings elect their
judges secretaries, or watchers. indeed,
refused them any voice. or representation
in the conducting of the polling. In many
cases the ballot boxes were in the hands
Of known Republicans. of non-resfdents,
criminals and disreputable characters. who
openly stuffed ballot boxes. refused and
destroyed ballots of reputable voters, as
saulted others, and allowed promiscuous
rif-raf to vote without question and with
out knowing whether they were Demo-
Gratis or even citizens Of the United States.
The conducting OF the polling was an in
famous outrage upon the franchise, the
rights of the citizens, and the sanctity Of
the ballot. The counting was most in
famous fraud and the entire proceedings an
insult to American citizenship and a dis
grace to republican government. In short,
majority of the polling places were SO
Infamous and disreputable that they were
stunned by respectable Democrats as
would be pesthouse-indeed. respectable
citizens were put in peril attending them.
and the pretended returns were a blatant
fraud and outrage; and
Whereas all the facts herein stated are
substantiated by the affidavits of reputable
and creditable eyewitnesses and are the
common talk on the streets; and
The Protest Ignored.
Whereas. Notwithstanding these facts
were made known in writing by a commit
tee of reputable citizens to the so-cailed
central committee when assembled in the
test was presented in writing on the plat
form in the hearing of the men claiming
to be elected as delegates to the So
called convention. was received and refer
red to committee of the so-called con-
vention and setting forth that those assem-
bled there were the representatives OF
crime. fraud. and an infamous outrage,
they proceeded to elect. there and then.
certain men who they now have the
audacity to ask the Committee on Creden-
tials of the National Convention to recogs
nize as representatives Of Democracy Of
the District of Columbia; therefore be it
Resolved. first. That fraud vitiates any
and all transactions. that knowledge OF or
participation in a crime constitutes a
criminal, and he who receives stolen goods
is a thief, and he who knowingly accepts
a benefit of any kind of fraud is not
At man to represent a respectable COM
munity.
Second. That at this time We cannot
afford to send as delegates men whose
allegiance is questionable or who bear
instructions which do not bindingly in
struct. but which have the people and
the country at the mercy Of conspirators
seeking for chance to betray those who
trust them into the hands of their mas
ters, who seek to elevate themselves by
the overthrow Of inherited institutions
and rights.
Third. We deny and treat with con-
tempt the statements that have been
made that this is only factional fight in
the interest of local individuals. Let it
be known that the men who are making
this fight are doing it for decency and
honesty and cleaner politics, for the good
name OF respectable citizens of the Capt.
tai of this nation, irrespective OF party.
and for the purpose of protesting and
creating a sentiment that will make the
repetition of such infamous conduct i'm
possible in either party in the future.
Let it be known that every man on this
committee pledged himself not to seek
any position of honor or emolument-
Fourth. We ask Congress by appro-
pirate legislatiop TO come to our aid and
prevent by law such outrages in the fu-
ture
Fifth. That We endorse the Democratic
principles as set forth in the platform at
The Chicago Convention. and denornce in |
the strongest and most emphatic terms the |
anarchism of wealth. the criminal trusts. |
and corporate wealth. combination of cap |
ital to limit the production OF necessities
of the common people, raise prices, and rob |
labor of its just rewards"