Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1904-08-11
Democratic State Convention.
WOODBRIDGE N. FERRIS, OF BIG RAP,,sS, NOMINATED
FOR GOVERNOR AT GRAND RAPIDS.
THE CONVENTION WAS LIVELY AFFAIR FROM START TO FINISH
---THE OUTCOME OF The VOTE WAS A DECIDED SUR
PRISE TO Au---THE PLATFORM IN FULL

stearns NOf In ~.
Justus s. Stearns, defeated In three
attempts TO secure the Republican
nomination for governor of Michigan,
was not nominated for that office by
the Democratic convention in Grand
Rapids Wednesday Whatever oppo-
sitlon there was TO Stearns's nomina-
ton it gained more after Mr.. Stcarns
had come ont with Il hat-footed state
Inent that he had ceased being a Re.
publican and would support the Demo
cratic ticket, from president down.
Stcarns, Sweet ana Campau held a
conference and when they separated
Mayor Sweet gave out the following
statement:
MY name viii not be presented to
the convention, and | don't think that
any other will be. We have discussed
the matter fully, ANA everything is
tremendously arranged. Mr.. Stearns
is a Democrat completely. ana says
that he will support the national rs
well MS the state ticket. He says the
national platforms are near enough
alike TO make little real difference, and
lie is satisfied with Judge Parker rs q
man. Therefore he says he will sup
port the entire tittet from president
10 coroner. lie comes into the party
TO stay, too, and not simply as yisi-
tor"
Preliminary Work
When the convention met az
o'clock Hon. John Miner. of Detroit,
was made temporary chairman u. j.
Campau having called the assembly
10 order ana named Miner for the
place. The speeches were MADE by
1ampau, Miner AMI ex-senator Chas.
T. Towne.
Real Work.
II was 4 o'clock before the convcn-
tian got down to business. The com
mittce on organization recommended
Mark w. stevens, Of Flint, for per
lnanent chairman and Francis j. Me-
lody, Of Detroit. for permanent secrc-
tary. which was adopted.
Geo. j.. Monaghan, OF Detroit, read
the report of the committee on reso-
lutions which went through with en-
thuslasm. And rising vote.
The Platform.
l. The Democrats of Michigan. IN
convention assembled, indorsc the
plat form and the candidate of the ma
tional convention recently held at 81
?. We favor the nomination of all
candidates for office by direct vote or
the people and viii do everything IN
our power TO secure legislation di-
rectlY TO that end.
8. We favor tho adoption or such
legislation or constitutional amend
ments as shall provide. viz:
a. For the election of railroad ana
tax commissioners hy a direct vote of
II. FOR municipal home rule
c. For the election OF United states
senators by popular vote.
4. For the enactment OF such, lesls-
Iation and constitutional amendments
as will determine reasonable compen-
satfon for the transportation of pas
scngers and freight upon the electric
and steam railroads OF the state, ana
TO authorize the several city authori-
ties in cities and the township au-
thoritics outside OF cities. To fix and
determine from time TO time, the maxi
mum charge for street car service and
FOR gas and electric light service and
other public utilities.
3. We urge the submission OF an
amendment to the constitution of the
state of Michigan authorizing cities
and villages to acquire ownership by
purchase or condemnation OF public
utilities within their respective limits.
with fun authority TO control the same
for the common good.
G. We Believe that laws should be
enacted making il a criminal offense
for any member OF the state logisia-
ture or state officer TO accept or use
free transportation from any railroad
company. the object OF such favors
being obvious.
:. we believe in the submission OF
all questions of great public import
TO direct vote OF the people.
S. The administration of our state
government at tho present time and
for several years past has been in the
highest degree unsatisfactory and dis
crcditable to the people Of Michigan.
The recent Republican state conven-
ton was dominated by the same spirit
and the same corporate interests
which controlled the present admins
tration. We deem IL the duty OF all
loyal citizens regardless OF party con-
neCtion, to rebuke. by an overwhelm-
/ ing vote next November, the practices.
| the extravaganza. the Incompetence
and the disloyalty which prevail at
present.
.. our state government needs re-
adjustment upon the lines OF greater
economy and better business methods
we urge the voters OF Michigan TO lay
aside party prejudiccs. To elect mem
bers or the state legislature who are
| in sympathy with primary reform and
the other principles herein enunciated
and to unite With us in electirg the
state officers nominated at this con-
vention who arc pledged TO the earnest
support OF those principles.
Supreme Judges.
Nominations Tor justices OF the su-
prcme court came first on the order
Of business. The sixth district named
Clinton Roberts, OF Flint, which was
seconded by the seventh and eighta
districts. Aid. T.. J. Jeffries. of De
troit, nominated Judge George S. Hos