The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-05-02

The Democratic convention, last night. which many delegates believed will be the last to select presidential delegates in Connecticut, was an in splring assemblage. There was full attendance of delegates and Demo cratic leaders present from all parts of Connecticut, as we'll as representa- tives of several presidential candi- dates.
 The convention opened promptly on time at the tap of the gavel wielded by Congressman Thomas L. Reilly of Meriden, the first Democrats to enter Congress from this state in many years.
 The event of the evening was the delivery of the keynote speech by Con- gressman Reilly. The keynote was progress In remarks both convinc- ing end eloquent the speaker laid down the dictum that the Democratic party must be a party of progress, that it cannot stand still while others
 
 are moving. that 1t must recognize that institutions and laws are subject to wise cnange to meet changing con- ditiona
 A most interesting part of the speech was-that portion of it in which Representative Reilly considered the legislative accomplishment of the Democratic congress. He poke of Democratic performance in the reduc- ton of the cotton and wool schedules. in the passage of the free sugar bill, in the adoption of the excise tax bill, which makes every income above $5.- 900 pay to the support of govern ment and thereby lifts tax burdens from the shoulders of the poor to place them in some degree upon those whose ability to pay is greatest.
 Biting were Congressman Reilly's references to Congressman Hill of ths Fourth District, "the wool tariff mak- CT interested in the wool business, who was absent when the free sugar legislation came to a vote and who was utterly opposed to any tax bur den being levied upon wealth.
 One by one MT. Reilly enumerated the Democratic candidates for presi- dent. beginning with Champ Clark and ending with Simeon E. Baldwin
 But. remarkable tribute this, the hn traordinary demonstrations of en- thusiasm were not for he who may be president of the United States, but for the plain citizen in Congress. The demonstration which followed the closing of Representative Reilly's speech is something which he may be proud of and which it would be less than human nature not to remember for a lifetime.
 It was the way the delegates took to show their appreciation of the man who was first to give the Connecticut Democracy in many years Con- gressional victory, and an ovation to the service which he has rendered in Washington.
 It was almost midnight before the convention adjourned. The time was largely consumed by senatorial and congressional district caucuses. Of the senatorial caucuses there were 35, from which proceeded the committees of the convention and those empow- cred to perfect the permanent or ganization.
 The Congressional caucuses num- oered five, and their function was to recommend to the convention two delegates from each. who will consti- tute ten of the states fourteen dele gates to the Baltimore convention.
 These caucuses proceeded with har- mony, such contests as existed being mainly in the Third District where the New Haven delegates were solid ly arrayed against the small towns. The towns were victorious.
 There was a ripple in the caucus of the Fourth District, where Fred erick C. Mullins and Col. T. J. Mur- plny of this city succeeded in prevent ing the adoption of the unit rule, which the Bridgeport delegation had voted to use.
 A matter which did not appear in the convention last night, had been taken up at a meeting of the State Central Committee early in the after noon An effort was made to change the rules of the party so that mem hers of the State Central committee might be elected in the senatorial caucuses at this time.
 I. would have had the effect of giv- ing the present members a re-electi )n to the committee without awaiting the result of the fall primaries.
 The proposal was voted down, IT to 12-
 It was S:27 when Chairman Charles ". Comstock called the convention 10 order. Considerable time was oc- cCpied in the seating of the delegates. The hall. resplendent in the national S-olors, was a veritable jam of hu- -Anity when business was begun. The .