Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-04-20
DO NOT INSTRUCT.
Pennsylvania Democrats Re-
fuse to Pledge for Parker.
Attempt Made at the State Convention
at Harrisburg.
NonsensioaI Platform Adopted by the
Delegates, Tuesday.

Harrisburg. Pa, April 19-The Demo.
cratic state convention. which was held
here today refused to instruct the
national delegates from Pennsylvania
to vote for the nomination of Judge Al
ton Il. Parker. of New York, for presi-
dent. The delegates will go to st. Louis
uninstructed and will be bound by the
unit rule.
An attempt was made at the meet.
ingS of the resolutions committee OF
the convention to amend the platform
by substituting for the unit rule plank
a paragraph instructing the delegate.
for Judge Parker. 1t failed and the
platform as adopted by the committee
was unanimously adopted by the con.
vention.
Justice Samuel Cuisine Thompson OF
Philadelphia was nominated by ac-
clamation for supreme court justice tt
succeed himself for the full term of q
years.
The delegates at large TO the national
convention are James L. Guffey, State
Chairman ]. X. p. Hall, ex-Gov. Rob.
ert Z. Pattison, and Robert E. Wright
The national delegates and electors
chosen by the delegates from the 18th
and Z2nd districts are contested. The
contests We're referred to a commit :
tee to be appointed by State Chairman
Hall.
After the nomination of Justice
Thompson. the following We're unani-
mously elected delegates at large to the
national convention: James NJ. Guffey
Pittsburg: J. X. P. Hall. Ridgeway;
Robert f. Pattison, Philadelphia and
Robert +. Wright, Allentown.
James S. Killing. Erie, L. NJ. Herbst
Reading. George MCGOWAN, Philadel-
phia and J. Davis Broadhead. South
Bethlehem. were elected alternates at
large.
Etanley w. Davenport and Robert
W. Irwin were selected as electors at
large.
District delegates to the ST. Louis
convention and district electors were
also elected.
During the recess a draft of the
platform was submitted to the resolu
tons committee.
An amendment to the plank relating
pose the instruction Of the delegates
for Judge Parker of New York was
voted down by viva. vote and the
committee adjourned
When the convention re-convened.
Senator A. G. Dowalt was chosen per-
manent chairman.
The platform was then presented and
adopted.
The convention then took up the cleo
ton of justices to the supreme court.
After dwelling at length upon the
political wrong" perpetrated by the
party in Pennsylvania and
an alleged attempt Ito discredit and
dishonor our supreme court" by maxi
ing the highest judgeship a mere per-
quisite of corrupt machine and Il
place of exile or reward for those who
hinder or help its selfish purposes" the
platform continues:
1T is obvious that since the Access
sion of Pres. Roosevelt TO the Presi-
dency that thoughtful sentiment OF the
country has become distrustful OF his;
and fearful of the con-
sequences of his extraordinary, erratic
and autocratic assumption and exercise
of power.
To-day, the country finds in Theo-
dore Roosevelt q standing menace to
government, to peace
and to business stability and prosper
ity. 1t turns to the Democratic organ
izItion for safety and relief: to that
party of conservatism which from it's
birth and through so many years was
the bulwark against which the spirit
of sectiOnaliSm. fanaticism. radicalism
and the crude. wild theories Of expert
dashed in vain.
with Jefferson we believe that the
best government is that which governs
least.
We declare cur opposition to all
schemes of taxation that bear I'M
equally upon individuals or interests.
or that tend to increase the profits Of
one class at the expense of another.
I'VE commend the declara ton of Mr..
Mckinley in his last public address
when he said: a system which pro-
vides a mutual exchange of coInmodi-
ties is manifestly essential to the con-
tinued healthfulness and growth of our
export trade. We must not repose in
security that we can forever
sell everything and buy little or moth
ing-the period of exclusiveness is past.
The expansion of our trade and COM
merce is the pressing problem. COM
mercial wars are Improbable: a policy
Of good will and friendly relations viii
prevent reprisals.' rf
while we recognize the right of
capital in all legitimate lines of enter
prise to combine for the increase of
business we believe that by wise legis-
lation. rigidiy enforced against such
combinations. their evil tendencies can
be prevented without needless injury
to the capital upon which labor must
depend for employment and compensa-
ton. We believe that majority of the
unlawful trusts now in existence are
the direct and natural result of excess
sive republican tariff duties. To remedy
this evil should be one of the first pur-
poses of tariff revision. To such revi-
sion our party stands pledged.
Federal taxation of all kinds should
be reduced. The entire currency con-
ditions today, affecting all business in