The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1908-07-11
SPEECH OF TEMPORARY CHAIR.
MAN BELL AT DENVER.
DUTIES BEFORE CONVENTION
Republicans Blamed for Failure to
Correct Alleged Abuses-DeniaI
That Democratic Party Is
Enemy of Property.


the use of the convention
Rt. Rev. James j. Keane, arch
bishop of Wyoming, one of the most
eloquent and able prelates in Amer
lea, made the opening prayer.
Gail for Convention Read.
After the delegates and visitors
had settled in their seats. Urey Wood
son of Kentucky, secretary of the ma
tional committee. read the call for the
convention, and brief period of de-
lay followed. The committee on rules
then made its report and the officers
of the convention were announced
They are as follows:
Temporary Chairman-Theodore A.
Bell. California.
General Secretary-Urey Woodson,
Kentucky.
Assistant General Secretary-Edwin
Seton, Washington, d. c.
Sergeant-at-Arms- l. Martin,
Missouri.
Chief Assistant Sergeant-at Arms
J c. Fem. Indiana.
Chaplain for Opening Day-Rt Rev.
James J. Keane. archbishop of Wyo-
ming.
Chief Doorkeeper-Eugene w. Sui
livan, Illinois.
Official Stenograrher-M. w Blum
berg, Washington, d. C.
Parliamentarian-H d. Crutchfield,
Kentucky.
On taking the chair Temporary
Chairman Theodore A. Bell delivered
the following speech:
We have assembled at time when
the public conscience is demanding
honesty of purpose in the men who
undertake to direct the affairs of state.
The public eye is keenly sensitive to
every political movement, and our
proceedings here will be approved ac-
cording to the degree of sincerity ap-
pearing in the work of this conven-
ton. There is widespread belief,
founded upon evidence of a convincing
character, that the party in power
has not been true to its trust, that it
has betrayed the common interest into
the hands of the enemies of good gov
ernment. thereby forfeiting its right
and destroying its ability to rule in
the name of the people
Apparent to everyone is the fact
that way down deep in the heart OF
the Republican convention at Chicago
sentiment over the popular clamor for
reforms; and it is equally patent that
there is no bona fide intention on the
part of the Republican party of grant
ing any reforms, if the machinery of
that party can be retained in present
hands Its raper platform, divided
like ancient Gaul into three parts
barren promises makeshifts and eva
sions-it is hoped will make a good
campaign transparency; but no one
seriously believes the Republican par
ty indorses that neutral manuscript
which held the convention together
until it could ratify the nomination of
c presidential candidate.
Duty Of Party Put Forward.
Approaching our great task in a
manly, dignified manner, imbued with
the loftiest sentiments of patriotism,
ambitious to throw every safeguard
around the liberties OF the people, de-
termined to stamp out the abuses that
are consuming the substance of the
nation, let us proceed to our appointed
duty with the sustaining conscious
ness that we are responsible alone to
God and to our country for the justice
of our cause.
There are three things that this con-
vention should do. 1t ought to present
in a plain and Ineligible manner the
serious industrial and present cond
tions that are disturbing the peace and
happiness of our country We should
then proceed to courageous exposure
of the Republican policies that are
cooperating with private greed in the
f,f ho
important of all, we must exhibit a
readiness and an ability to grasp the
problems of the hour and to effect
their solution in a manner that will
satisfy the sober, common sense of
the multitudes whose interests are at
stake.
Among the great evils that afflict
the country at the present time is the
abuse of corporate power. At first
the advancing aggressions of the cor.
porations are not discernible to the
common eye, for every move is care
fully covered up until sufficient politi
cal strength is attained to defy the
protests of the people. Thus the con-
stant and insidious invasion of the
peoples rights finally results in a spe-
cies of arrogance and defiance so for
midable in its appearance that the
body of the people, in fear of even
worse aggressions, hesitate to exer-
else their rightful authority over these
colossal enemies of the common .
wealth. And SO we behold a subver-
sion of our free institutions. govern
ment voluntarily subordinating Itself
to selfish private ends, special priv
flege resorting to cunning bribery
and intimidation to maintain it's un-