Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1900-06-16
MISSISSIPPI MATTERS.
NOTES OF PAST AND CURRENT EVENTS.
By J. L. POWER.
DEMOCRACY IN COUNCIL.
saenenu~NauaNs4oae ca AA4aea AaAasaAaAAeAAAS

ocratic convention, and for presidential
electors, instead of calling State con-
vention, as has been the time-honored
and aforementioned custom of selecting
the same, and the committee having
declined to reassemble to reconsider
that action, and many of the Demo-
cratic newspapers, and leading Demo-
Gratis of the State having protested
against that course, a convention was
called 10 meet ia jackson on Tuesday,
June ).
Twenty eight counties were repre-
sented by duly accredited delegates,
and several others by citizens in sym
pathy with the object for which the
convention was called. In all there
were about two hundred good men and
true on the floor Of representatives hall
when Hon. James X. Vardaman, of Lee
fore, called the convention to order.
He briefly, but very forcibly, explained
the causes that resulted in the conven-
ton, and suggested that Il permanent
organization be effected. Whereupon
Dir. w, l.. KERN Of Holmes was elected
chairman, j. L. Power of Kinds and j..
G, Mcclure of Yazoo secretaries.
A committee on resolutions was APP
appointed, consisting of Messrs. James
f. McCool, James X. Vardaman, l.. NJ.
| Smith, and for the several districts, Q.
O. Eckford, Geo. c. Myers, S. D. Neil,
w. S, Hill, j. ii. Neville, r. II. Henry.
The committee, through Major Varda-
man, reported the following, which
were adopted after some discussion,
and after the rejection of a substitute
offered by Judge Coleman Of Lenore:
We, the Democrats of Mississippi, in
convention assembled, called together
because of the refusal of the State
executive committee to order a State
convention, in accordance with party
custom, to select delegates to the ma
tional Democratic convention, nominate
presidential electors promulgate a
platform of principles and to elect
new executive committee, adopt the
following resolutions as expressing our
views on public and political questions
of the day:
Resolved first, That we deplore and
condemn the action of the Democratic
State executive committee for refusing
to call State convention for the pur
poses above set forth, and in lieu thereof
providing for the holding of a plurality
primary election to select national dele
gates and presidential electors, which
we cannot but regard as violative o
| the unwritten law Of the State, un
warranted, unnecessary and contrary Il
Democratic practice and usage in thi
State, and in the face of the wishes ant
sentiments of the great masses of thu
Democracy of Mississippi. We con
denim that feature of the committee
action which tends to embarrass or de
prive the Democracy of the State o
opportunity to assemble and express
itself upon public issues and instruc
It's delegates to the national Democrats
convention upon public questions, a
well as for whom to cast the vote o
this State for president. We condemn
the action of the committee in that /
violates immemorial Democratic Gus
tom by refusing to provide for the selec
ton of its successors, thus tending to
perpetuation Of itself The Democrat,
of the State will not consent that an.
set of men shall deprive it OF the RICH
to select its own agents and servants
however exalted in character such me
NAV be. We refuse to surrender sue
rights or permit them to be embarrassed
hence the assembling of this conver
ton, representing the Democracy Q
the State. We especially condemn tn
action of the majority of the executiv
committee in refusing to reconvene tn
committee to reconsider their unwal
ranted, unprecedent, unnecessary an
undemocratic action, and this we dc
while at the same time favoring fai
and legal primary elections for tn
nomination of party candidates fo
election to State, district and count
Offices. This stubborn refusal of tn
committee to pay the least regard
the wish of the people cannot be to
severely candemned by the Democrat
of this Democratic State; therefore,
save the harmony of the party, be it
Resolved, second, That this CONVEX
ton proceed to the nomination of car
didates for presidential electors an
delegates and alternate delegates
the national Democratic convention,
be voted for at the primary electio
called by the State committee, June Q
and to that end the chairman of tn
convention is authorized to appoir
such committees as he may deem nece
sary to carry out the purposes of tn
resolution.
Resolved, third That we reaflirm an
pledge our support and allegiance
the national Democratic platforl
adopted at Chicago in 1896, and we il
struct the delegates to be named b
this convention to the national demo
cratic convention, to be held in Kansa
CITY. to cast the vote of this State fo
that peerless leader of Democracy, tina
able, pure and incorruptible Statesman
the great tribune of the people, Hol
William Jennings Bryan, as the Dem'
cratic candidate for president of tn
United States.
Resolved, fourth, That we denounc
the Republican administration fc
fayoring. and the Republican congress
for adopting, the currency bill an
placing this country upon gold basi
regarding this as crime no less tina
, the decentralization of silver in 1878.
Resolved, fifth That we are unalte
ably opposed to Imperialism and expal
sion. as proposed by the Republica
PARTY, and denounce she policy of til
Republican administration and all til
methods that have been employed
fix this colonial policy on our free ri
publican form of government. We al
} also opposed to the retention of th
Philippine islands by the United State
government.
Resolved, sixth, That we oppose an
denounce the Dingley and Porto Rica
tor;ff laws. passed by Republican col