The Laclede blade., 1904-08-20
DAVIS SEES VICTORY.
Democratic Nominee for Vice Presi-
dent Talks of Outlook.
In His Speech of Acceptance He De-
clnres Against "Republican Ex-
travagance" and Overriding
OF Constitution.

| I<A"RShoSOA A1ShIy NJ DaN 10 was
formally notified of his nomination for
vice president by the democratic ma
tional convention at st. Louis by
committee which came here to-day.
Congressman John Sharp Williams,
minority leader in the house and tenn
porary chairman OF the national con-
vention, acted as spokesman for the
| committee. In reply ex-senator Davis
said
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen of the
Committee: The official notification
| which you bring Of my nomination for
the vice presidency Of the United States,
by the national democracy, gives me
| feeling of the sincerest gratitude to my
party for the honor conferred.
A spirit of determination to succeed in
the campaign before us appears to per-
wade the rank and file of our party in all
sections of the country. OF that rank
and file l have for many years been a
member and have at all times devoted
my humble powers to party success, be-
lieving that success to be for the coun-
trys good. Unexpectedly called as 1 am
now to the forefront, / am impelled to
an acceptance of the obligation by sense
of gratitude to my fellow orkers and
the hope that l may be able the better
to assist in restoring to power that party
whose principles and past history guar
antee a SAFE wise, economical and con-
stitutional administration Of the govern
ment.
1 find it. therefore,~a great pleasure,
standing here upon the borderland of the
two Virginias, to receive and accept the
commission you bear, and to send greet
ings through you to the democracy of the
entire country.
AS an Introductory to the few remarks
I shall make, / desire to say that I
heartily indorse the platform upon which
l have been nominated and with the con-
vention and it's nominee for president, the
present monetary standard OF value as
irrevocably established.
In the campaign preceding the last cleo
ton much stress was laid by republican
speakers upon the prosperous condition
of the country and forebodlngs were
heard Of the ill-results, especially to the
laboring man, which would follow any
change in the political complexion of the
government 1t is true that the times
then were good, but it is no less a fact
that, while there has been no change in
the party in power, many of the evils
prophesied have come under republican
rule. Four years ago factories, mills,
mines and furnaces We're in active opera
ton, unable to supply the demand, but
now many are closed and those that are
open are being operated with reduced
force on short hours. Then wages were
high, labor was scarce and there was
work for all. Now work is scarce, many
wage-earners unemployed and wages re-
duced The apprehension which now pre-
walls in business circles and the present
unsatisfactory industrial conditions OF the
country seem to demand a political
change.
yr>l,o o;,>4c off ho
year ended June 80, 1902, the first fiscal
year of the present administration, |
showed a surplus over expenditures OF |
S91, ,0O0, CO., but for the fiscal year ended |
June So 1904, instead of surplus there |
was a deficit of sf1,00O0OO. From July l.
1904 to August 10, or for about a month
and a third Of the present fiscal year. the
expenditures of the government has ex-
cee;ed the receipts by 81 715,0D. There
could be no stronger evidence of the ex-
trayagance into which the republican |
party has fallen and no more potent
argument in behalf of change to the
party whose tenets have always en-
braced prudence and economy in admin
Istering the peoples affairs.
Our republican friends are prone to re-
Ger to the great commercial growth of
the country under their rule, and yet the |
census reports show that from 1850 to
1860, under democratic rule and the Walk
er tariff, the percentage of increase was
greater in population wealth, manufac-
lures and railroad mileage, the factors
which affect most largely the prosperity
of the country, than in ay decade since
The cost of government has largely in
creased under republican rule. The ex-
penditures per capita for the hast years
respectively of the administration given,
tax IN from the reports of the secretary
of the treasury, were as follows:
In 1850 under Buchanan. Sol; in 1898,
under Harrison, S577; in 1897. under Cleve-
land, $50; in 1901 under Mckinley, $3.50;
in 1904, under Roosevelt, S7.10.
The republicans now claim great con-
in their attitude upon the cur
rency question ard the president in his
recent speech of acceptance said that
they know what they mean when they
speak of a stable currency 1.-The same
thing from year tc year. and yet in the
platforms of their party in 1884, 1888 and
1892 they favored the double standard OF
value. In the platform of. 1888 they said
"the republican party is in favor of the
and condemns the policy of the demo-
cratic administration in it's efforts to de-
nonetize silver"
Dire predictions were made by our po-
litical opponents of what would happen
at the ST. Louis convention, but they mis-
Judged the temper OF the party ana tho
people While there had been differences
In preceding campaigns, yet at st. Louis
they were all harmonized and common
ground was found upon which all could
stand and do battle for democratic prin-
ciples. platform was adopted by q
unanimous vote, embracing the issues OF
the day and presenting to the people a
declaration of principles which in the
language of the times is sane, safe and
sound.
With a candidate whose personality ap-
,eals to the good sense and sound Judg-
nent of the American people, platform
whose principles are for the greatest
good to the greatest number, and q
-eunted party, earnests for the restora-