The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-17

| who not, elected at said primaries thus re-
fusing to the people the inaliensble right TO or
ganizc their primaries as they might see fit and
| TO have fair and free representation and hon
est count OF an honest vote cast by legally quail
ned voters. and
Whereas in the mean time the Democracy Of
this District was aroused they have never been
before. on account OF the openly charged treach-
cry TO the party OF certain would-be leaders who
announced their candidacy Tor delegates to the
National Convention. and who at the same time
proclaimed. themselves through interviews in the
press, over their own signatures, to be unalter-
ably opposed to the nomination of ". J. Bryan
and that if elected would absolutely refuse TO be
instructed for him or the Chicago platform.
This deiILce Of well known public sentiment aud
refusal to carry out the almost unanimous dec
laration OF the Democracy was the cause Of
macy enthusiastic public meetings held where
earnest and emphatic resolutions and protests
were passed, with unanimity never experienced in
the history II any Political party in the District
OF Columbia. At all these mass meetings the
sentiment unanimous against the election OF
any Democrat who expressed his treachery to the
sentiment OF the Democracy by refusing TO be
instructed. The indignation became more intense
when, rs the time o. the primaries approached
these seiconstituted leadofs in order to avert the
storm of public Indignation proclaimed that they
saw u new h%It, aLd were willing to re-
cuse instructions. thus convincing the people
that they were utterly unreliable, and would
resort to any subterfuge betrHy the people
and their peerless champion, William Jenning
BRYAN, and
Where's when the hour arrived for holding
the primary electiOns, the honest. enthusiastic,
orderly, and respectable Democracy OF this Dis
tiict, assembled II the polling places, they found
all Of the vari0ls polls in the hands OF selt-con-
stituted dictators who refused TO the people
the right 10 organize their meetings, elect their
judge, secretaries, watchers; indeed refus-
ed them any voice, or representation in the con
duciing OF the polling. In many eases the bal
lot boxes were IN the hands OF known Repub-
hcats, OF non residents, criminals, and dsrepur-
ffstn gsfuIFuf ffGFG ft-lUf
refused and destroyed the ballots of reputable
votes, assaulted Others, and allowed prOmiscu-
Gus riit raf TO vote without question and without
knowing whether they were Democrats
citizens Of the United States. i conducting
OF the polling infamous outrage upon
the franchise, the rights OF the citizens and the
sanctity Of the ballot, The Counting was a most
infamous fraud and the entire proceedings an
insult TO American citizenship ana disgrace TO
republican government. In short a majority OF
the polling places were so infamous and dis
reputable mat they were Stunned by respectable
Democrats as would be a pesthOuse; indeed,
respectable citizens put Ia peril IN attending
thtm, and tine pretended returns are d blatant
rIuI and outrage, and
Whereas all the facts herein stated are sub
s'ahtlated 10y the afndavltS OF reputable and
creditabe eye-witEessts aud are tie common talk
on the streets, and
Nhercas Notwithstanding these facts were
made known IN writing, by committee OF TapC-
Table citizens, to the called central commit
tee when assembled IN the s0-caled convention
and solemn protest presented in writing on
the platform the hearing OF the men claiining
TO be elected as delegates 10 the so-called CON
Nenton was received and referred to cOmmit
tee Of the so-calied convention and setting iOrth
that those assembled there were the reT t-ssHta-
uEes OF crime, fraud, and an infamous TRACE,
they proceeded 10 eject, there and then, -rtaiu
men whom they have the audaciiy To ask
the commit .ce on credentials of the National
Convention 20 recognize representatives, OF tEe
OF the District OF Columbia.
Therefore be it resolved first, That fraud
yitIates any and all transactions. That knOwi- !
edgc Cf or participation IN a crime constitutes =
criminal, and he who receives stolen good IS =
thlei, and Ic who knowingly accepts i benefit by
any Kind 81 4 fraud Is not u ft man 10 represent
i respectable community.
; cOnd-Ihat u this tmc We cannot afford TO J
send as delegates men whose allegiance Is ques-
;ionable or who bear instructions which do not !
Dindinsly instruct, but which leave the people I
and the country at the mercy Of COnspiratOr9 |
seeking for cnance to betray those vino trust
them. into the hands Of their masters, who seek I
20 elevate themselves by The overthrow OF IN
lorited institutions and rights
Thrd-Ne deny and treat with contempt the |
that nave been made that this ouly /
a iActiCral fight III the interest OF local indi- |
Siduais, Let 1t be known that the men who are |
making TINS nsht are du.ng II Tor dccency anu /
honesty and cleaner politics, Tor the good name !
Of respectable citizens OF the Capital OF this IA
tion irrespective OF party, and Tor the purpose OF
protesting and creating a sentiment that will /
make the repetition OF such Infamous conduct i'm /
possible, either party in the future. Let it be
bIioWn that every this committee pledged .
himself not 10 seek any position Oi honor OF /
emOlUment.
Fourth-We ask Congress- by appropria leSi--
atiun, to come to aid and prevent !g law
such outrsges in the future.
Iitth-IhaJ endorse the Democratic prin-
riplts as set forth in the platform at t,' .h-
ago Convention, and denounce IN tl., strgncrst
ard most emphatic terms the anlrchisIn OF
wealth, the criminal trusts and corporate wealth.
.OuiirIiion Of capital to limit the production OF
necessities OF The common people raise prices
md rob Labor Of its just rewards We believe
hat the criminal cOnsplrac!es in restraint Of
rade designated as trusts, which cnaracteriza the
present times. are menace To liberty. They
lose the doors OF industrial opportunity 90 all
Jut the rich and powerful. They are impuver-
shing the producer and consumer, and are dri,-
ng til. middle class to the wa!l. They haze
the avenues OF transportation, sub
gLizcd the press, and poisoned the sources OF
,ublic information They deceive and cajole men
md debauch the elective franchise. They
the bulNarks OF free institutions. By
heir cunning and AnaveTy they contribute money
. further the election of hired henchmen and
hen use the power thus gained to secure legi,-
alive iayors inmiCal 10 the interests OF the body
social and industrial. BY divers methods they
'iuld,r patient =nd patriotic people. rs"y ar. +
uiblir enemies, and uness JvcrIhrOwu there will I
De established in the New World a monster
nonCyed oligarchy on the one hand and slavery
u the common people on the other. They must
De DESTROYED or the Republic is lost. In order to
estore the rights OF the people and deliver them
rom the criminal desp0liations OF these m1n0pO-
lsiIC giants, Inc SiletllI privileges lhIl created
hem and keep them in existence must be up
ooted and destroyed. This heroic task can be ac-
,omplished cnly through the persistent and de.
ermincd efforts Of the Democratic party. To
his end We demand that rhe Democratic Ma
i0nal Convention refuse TO seat in the Kansas
7iW Convention these agents and tools OF thu /
standard Oil, Electric Light. Gas, and Railway /
trust who have stuffed the ballot boxes. hribed /
he voters. and by violence and crime attempted
o defeat the will Of the people at the ,,riulrics I
n the District ui Columbia on April 10. and are .
low attempting TO foist themselves upon a q pe-,-
be and the Kansas City Convention as delegI.rs
doption Of an antitrust plank in the platform
md to defeat the nomination Of ". !. Bryan,
ybo is the peoples choice for President.
Sixth--We oppose Imperialism and militari-m
IS well as the declaration OF martial law in the
me Of peace, well as the suspension OF the
writ Of habcas corpus which believe to he
he first steps toward the downfall OF free in.
titutions and cite the infamous outfages and
yranry peTpetrated in the State OF !-lho as
hown before the House Committee on Military
\. .Tairs as evidence Of the extremes 10 which the
,yerridiEg Of the rights Of free citizens can 20
lnder subservient arrogant military commanders
With the approval OF the Administration pPor-
uned by corporate interests. We declare that
axation without representation is tyranny. and
iemand for all over whom our flag floats, equality
,efore the law and all of the rights guaranteed
,y the Constitution. Nilitarism and free insti-
utons cannot exist Size by side. A iea, l.
are by the people OF their rights at III, bal
,ox should be continually exercised
Sevcnth-We declare and have good cause 10
believe. that the outrascs and iniJmes herein
ct out the result Of conspiracy on the
art Of Gel ain :raitorous money manipulators