Evening star., 1901-08-15
State Convention Assemblies Today
at Harrisburg.
WARRING PHILADELPHIA FACTIONS
FIuitless Endeavors to Effect a
Compromise.
PLATFORM PRESENTED

HARRISBURG, Pa. August 15.-The
campaign for the ticket nominated by to-
days democratic state convention will be
entirely on state issues. No mention Is
made in the platform Of the name Of VIM.
j. Bryan or free silver, Imperialism and
other national issues. The last legislature
Is condemned for the passage Of rapid
transit and ripper bills, and pronounced
the most corrupt legislative body that ever
convened in this country. All friends Of
good government are invited to Join with
the democracy in its efforts to 'save the
state from further dishonor."
The platform was prepared at confer
ence of the party leaders which lasted until
daybreak, and 1t Is one of the most re-
markable declarations Of principles ever
issued by a state convention in Pennsyl-
vania- Those democratic legislators who
joined with the republican majority In pass
ing the bills condemned by the platform are
left to their immediate constituents for the
'infiiction of political punishment"
This part Of the platform was not satts-
factory to ex-Representative VIM. H. Sow
den of Allentown and other delegates, and
before the convention met at noon they
threatened to offer more drastic resolutions
as substitute.
Rival Philadelphia Factions.
The selection of a ticket was given little
consideration by the leaders before the
convention ssembled. owing to their efforts
to try to effect compromise between the
rival Philadelphia factions who are fight
ing for recognition of their delegates. Judge
Harmon Yerkes Of Doylestown was the
only avowed candidate for supreme court
from the time his candidacy was first an
nounced. The Berks and Lehigh delegates
were pledged to Judge Ermentrout of
Reading, but they did not go to the trou-
bic to open headquarters o. make can
vass for him.
Judge Yerkes is entirely satisfactory to
the independent republicans of Philadel-
phia. who are opposed to the local ticket
and are trying to effect fusion with the
democrats in the state ticket.
An hour before the convention was called
to order no one could predict with certainty
who would be the nominee for state treas
urer. The nomination was rendered Capt.
VIM. Hasson Of Oil City by the leaders,
with the assurance that he would be nom-
mated by acclamation. He declined, how
ever. and then Representative Andrew ].
Palm Of Meadville was picked out as the
most likely nominee. Mr.. Palms clean rec
ord in the last legislature was used as an
argument in his favor.
The Blair county delegates were pledged
to vote for Representative E. A. Coray, tr..
of Luzerne, Independent republican, for
state treasurer. The convention was de-
cidedly opposed to the selection OF Mr..
Coray or any other republican. and 1t was
conceded early in the day that he had no
show Of nomination. The democrats will
not formally open their campaign for the
state ticket nominated today until after
the republicans have made their nomina-
tiOns in this city next Wednesday.
National Committeeman Guffey, Repre-
sentatives Hall and Polk and other leaders
made repeated attempts before the conven-
tion assembled to bring about harmony be-
40. al 49, ~ D1,tl
adelphia democracy. Their efforts were
without result, however and when State
Chairman Greasy called the delegates to
order at u o'clock the signs indicated a
sharp fight on the floor for admission Of
delegates certified by the young democracy
of Philadelphia. The names Of delegates
certified by the regular city committee. Of
which ex-Gov. Pattison is chairman. were
placed on the roll by the state chairman in
advance Of the convention, and they had
the advantage of occupying seats on the
floor.
Convention Called to Order.
The convention was called to order at
II 40 by State Chairman Greasy. After the
reading of the call for the convention and
other preliminaries. Chas. ]. Reilly of Will
Transport was introduced as temporary
chairman. Mr.. Reilly was selected at
meeting last evening Of the state executive
CON nmittee. T. z. Minehart Of Chambers
burg was secretary and J. Wood Clark Of
Indiana reading clerk
Mr.. Reilly said. in accepting the chair
manship, that he would endeavor to per-
form his duties In a manner which. in his
estimation, would be right. He suggested
that ticket be named by the convention
which would be met with the kindest con-
sideration Of the masses of Pennsylvania
While the convention was assembling the
leaders Of the rival factions held another
conference at state headquarters. at which
4 yxycc. f1adf fA cntf khA
tween the Philadelphia factions by having
State Chairman Greasy appoint an advisory
committee Of five to reorganize the democ-
racy Of the Quaker city. The committee
will begin work January 1 next. This was
satisfactory to both sides and disposes Of
the contest Of the two factions for recogni-
tion. After the appointment of the COM
mittee on resolutions the convention took
a recess until O'Clock.
The Platform.
The democracy of Pennsylvania in con-
vention assembled makes this declaration
of its convictions and purposes in the COM
ing election:
Waving all questions and propositions
upon which the people Of the nation divide
into political parties, we call upon all hon
est citizens to unite with us for the re-
demption of our commonwealth from the
political freebooters who now control it.
We invite all political parties, all organi-
cations of men heedful of the public well
fare and all Pennsylvanians to Join us in a
crusade for the publication of the polluted
of public authority.
We deplore with all good men the need
of making the question Of common honesty
and decent administration an issue to di-
vide the people of a great state, but to this
deplorable necessity we have been brought
by the outrages Of republican machine gov
With incredulous amazement the people
of our sister states turn their eyes upon
the spectacle presented by our common
wealth. Every department of our state
government Is honeycombed with profiig-
acy, dishonesty and a reckless disregard
of constitutional or moral obligations.
The powers of government are prostituted
to the purpose of public thieves.
Constitutional restraint and commands,
the sanctity Of law, the obligations Of off,
cial oaths and the demands of common
honesty are thrust aside by the substitu-
tion of a higher law-the demands of an
fnsatiate greed OF public plunderers for
money. money. more money.
Shamelessly and openly the votes of
legislators are bought. and SO persistently
and constantly that market values for
have been established by set
tied custom.
The apparent indifference OF our people
TO these outrages emboldened the corrup-
ttonists to such an extent that the last ses-