Albuquerque citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1907-1909, 1908-07-07

Denver, Colo, July THE Demo-
cratic National Convention of 1908,
which is to nominate a candidate for
president and vice president OF the
United States, In opposition to Iatt
and Sherman. is at the point OF ac-
ton, and the early morning hours
found thousands of delegates, alter
mates and spectators from all parts
of the country beginning to stream
towards the great auditorium. An un-
usual feature of the first days pro-
gram IS the plan to adjourn at an
early hour as a mark OF respect for
the late President Cleveland, the last
Democrat who occupied the office of
chief executive of the nation.
Adjournment however. Is not ex-
pected to delay materially the work
Of the convention, for today's session
VAS planned to be preliminary In It's
nature, including only the call to order
by Thomas Taggart of Indiana, chair
man of the national committee, read
ing of the call by Secretary Woodson;
opening prayer by Archbishop keene,
of wyoming announcement of tenn
Iorary officers by the national COM
mittee and their confirmation by the
conventions; the opening address by
Temporary Chairman Theodore A.
Bell and the announcement of sew
eral committees as selected by eau
cuses. Chairman Bell arrived from
Omaha this morning.
Promptly at noon the convention
was opened by Chairman Taggart and
the call was then read. Following
prayer, Chairman Bell delivered his
address, saying in part;
We have assembled at time when
the public conscience is demanding
honesty of purpose in the men VINO
undertake to direct the affairs OF
state. The public eye is keenly SEN
sitiye to every political movement and
proceedings here will be approved ac-
cording to The degree of sinceritw ap-
pearing in the work of this conven-
ton. There is a widespread bellef,
founded upon evidence of convinc-
ing character that the party in power
has not been true to its trust, that 1t
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 every one is the fact
that way down deep in the heart OF
the Republican convention at Chicago
there was a feeling OF anger and re-
sentiment over the popular clamor for
reform; and it is usually potent that
there is no bona fide intention on
the part of the Republican party of
granting any reform if the machinery
OF that party can be retained in pres
ent hands Its paper platform, diyid-
ed like ancient Gaul into three parts
barren promises, mdkeshifts and
evGsions, it is hoped will make a good
campaign transparency. but no one
seriously believes that the Republican
party really indorses that neutral
manuscript which held the convention
together until it could ratify the NOM
ination Of a presidential candidate.
Approaching our great talk in a
manly, dignified manner, imbued with
the loftest sentiments of patriotism,
ambitious to throw every safeguard
around the liberties OF our people, de-
termined to stamp out the abuses that
are consuming the substance Of the
nation, let US proceed 10 our appointed
duty with the sustaining consciousness
that we are responsible alone to God
and TO our country for the justice Of
our cause.
There are three things that this
convention should do. II ought to
present in a plain and Ineligible
manner the serious industrial and po-
litical conditions that are disturbing
the peace and happiness Of our coun-
try We should then proceed to a
courageous exposure Of the Republi-
cap policies that are cooperating with
private greed in the general oppres-
sion Of the people. Most 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 sob