Evening star., 1905-09-20
HELD A CONVENTION
City Party" Met in Phila-
delphia Today.
CANDIDATE G NAMED
PLATFORM ADOPTED FOR USE IN
CANVASS.
Called to Order by Franklin S. Ed
monds-Invocation by Mr..
Tompkins.
CANDIDATES NAMED

PHILADELPHIA, September 20. - The
City Party" a reform organization, held
its county convention today In the Academy
of Music for the purpose of nominating can
didates for sheriff, coroner and two county
commissioners in opposition to the repub-
lican nominees announced last Saturday.
The nominees named by the convention, it
is announced, will be indorsed by the demo-
cratic county convention, to be held tonight.
The primaries of the city party were held
on Monday night, and when the convention
was called to order more than 800 regu-
larly elected delegates were in attendance.
No slate has been agreed upon, and only
one ward delegation thirty-one votes) Is
under instructions.
The convention was called to order by
Franklin S. Edmonds, chairman of the city
committee of the party. He introduced the
Rev. Floyd w. Tompkins Of Holy Trinity
Church. who offered prayer.
Clarence D. Gibboney, secretary OF the
Law and Order Society," who was promi-
nently mentioned as a candidate for sheriff,
withdrew today.
Following the invocation by the Rev.
Mr. Tompkins the band played My Coun-
try, 'Tis of Thee" and the delegates and
alternates united in mighty cheer. IN
opening the convention City Chairman Ed
monds said in part
Love the City.
I'VE come here because we are lovers Of
our city, no. matter what may be our party
affiliations 1t was here that we first enun-
ciated the principles Of liberty. Because
we believe q good name is better than
riches, we assemble to show our devotion
to our great city. This Is the principle.
The occasion Is here. A band of men has
made our fair city shame in the face of
the world. The government OF the city
has brought the blush of shame to every
honest citizen We stand here to redeem
the city Of Philadelphia.
1--WE proclaim that the reign OF graft In
the city of Philadelphia shall end. This Is
wish to offer a tribute of thanks to John
Weaver, mayor of Philadelphia prolonged
cheers) who has done more than any In
dividual to give the people of Philadeiphla
an opportunity to win their freedom.
At the conclusion Of the chairman's speech
the band played The Star Spangled Ban
ner." and again the delegates, aternates
and spectators Joined in the chorus
After the appointment OF the permanent
committees the convention took recess or
half an hour to allow the committees 10
prepare their reports.
Immediately after the recess the COM
nittees reported The committee on per-
manent organization presented their re-
port making the temporary ofncers perma-
nent and adding as vice presidents, Charles
Emory Smith and William Z. builtt. ihe
report was adopted.
The following platform was offered by
the committee on resolutions and was
adopted:
yention assembled. hereby makes Its decla-
ration of principles and invites the CO.
operation and support Of all good citizens
without regard to their party ties or ma
tional political principles.
'sThe city party has been formed for the
redemption of the city of Philadelphia from
the control Of corrupt and criminal con-
spiratocs calling themselves republicans II
aims to put an end to government by and
for municipal contractors and to substi-
tute government by and for the citizens
AS necessary Incidents to its policy of re-
form and progress the city party demands:
"First-A complete and thorough revision
of the present election laws. including
provision for personal registration.
''Second-The repeal of the Ripper BILL
denying to the mayor the right to appoint
his heads of departments.
.'Third-A sincere and impartial enforce
ment of the civil service provisions Of the
city charter. making appointments to Of
flee depend wholly upon merit and not at
all upon political pull.
.Fourth--That municipal franchises. when
granted. shal be for limited periods only
and with proper compensation"
"Fifth-The election of municipal officers
responsible to the entire body OF citizens,
and not to any man or groun OF men,.
"Sixth-An honest. open. economical and
efficient administration of cur municipal
affaira, based upon the absolute divorce OF
of1lcA holders from political control and