Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 May 1884 — BEN BUTLER. [ARTICLE]

BEN BUTLER.

He Is Nominated for President by the National Anti-Monopoly Convention. Tilden and Hendricks Indorsed by the Democrats of New Jersey, Virginia, and Dakota. ANTI-MONOPOLISTS. The National Convention at Chicago. The National Anti-Monopoly Convention met at Chicago on Wednesday. May 14, and waa called to order by John P. Henry, of New York, Chairman of the National Committee. After congratulating them upon having met with the Intention of nominating a Presid nt of tbe United States, he named A. J. Streeter, of Mercer County, Illinois, as Temporary Chairman. Mr. Streeter returned thanks for tbe honor conferred upon him, and Bald he believed the honor waa not Intended for him personally, but for the industrial people of Illinois whom he bad tried hard to serve. The Secretary read the call, following which motions were made that a delegate from each State represented be nominated for a Committee on Credentials, Permanent Organisation. Platform, and Vice Presidents. On motion of Mr. Henry, of New York, N. B. Hillman and B. P. Shively were elected Temporary Secretaries, and the roll of States was called. The following were appointed members of the committees:

_ Platform. Credentials. California, Mrc M Todd. A D Wilson. Kansas, W A Garretson. WJ Montgomery Disk Columbia, J A George. W W Jackson. Massachusetts, C H Tichtman. W Leampton. Maryland, A J Wedderburn AJ Wedderbum Pennsylvania, Ogden Whitlock Ogden Whitlock •jlorado, R Schilling. R Schilling. Oregon, A J Grover. 8 E Fisk. Illinois, A J Streeter. B S Heath. Indiana, M C Rankin. H R Harris. lowa, E H Jagger. O N Norton. Missouri, J F Crews. W G Willard. Michigan, H Pratt. W Mills. Nebraska, John Barnd S F Reynolds. New York, W H Shape. J A Brawley. Wisconsin, V J Blatz. H S Brown. Vermont, N H Blanchard.N H Blanchard. Daring a recess to await the reports of the committees, Mr. Root, of Nebraska, made a lengthy speech, reviewing the powers of the monopolies. He did not blame them for taking all they could get, but he did blame the people for tolerating it. He was followed by Mr. Fogg, of Michigan, who regarded Ben Butler ns the greatest friend of the working people, and said he would be the nominee of the convention. He would be nominated by other conventions, and ho believed that he would be the next President of the United States. Mr. Crocker followed. He said that dynamite was the extract of tyranny, and that it might be expected at any time. Dr. Julia Severance, of Milwaukee, said she did not think they could expect their rights until they were willing to accord woman her rights. Gen. Weaver was called for, but declined to speak, as he was not a delegate. The convention was again called to order. Mr. Post, for the Committee on Credentials, said that the oommittee had decidod that eaoh delegate should have but one vote, no matter bow many proxies he held. The report, after some discussion, was adopted. The following permanent offloers were elected: President, John F. Henry, of New York; Secretaries, Messrs. Shively ana Hillman. Mr. Henry took the chair and called lor the report of the Committee on Resolutions. “ Phoclon” Howard said that he proposed to forestall any machine resolutions, as waa the case in most all conventions, by offering one himself. Ho wanted to explain that by profession he was a journalist and a Bourbon Democrat, as well as an AntiMonopolist. He then moved that all resolutions presented to the Committee on Platform should be read to the convention, to prevent being consigned to the waste basket. The resolution was overwhelmingly defeated. Charles H. Hltchman, of the Committee on Platform, reported the following resolutions: The Anti-Monopoly organization of the United States, in convention assembled, declares: 1. That labor and capital should be allies, not enemies; and we demand justice for both by protecting the rights of all as against privileges for the few.

2. That corporations, the creatures of law, should be controlled by law. ' 3. That we propose the greatest redaction practicable in public expenses. 4. That in the cnaotment and vigorous execution of just law eqnalhy of rights, equality of burdens, equality of privileges, and equality of powers in all citizens will be secured. To this end we further declare: 8. That it is the duty of the Government to immediately exerplse its constitutional prerogatives to regulate commerce among the States. The great instruments by which this commerce is carried on are transportation, money, and the transmission of intelligence. They are now mercilessly controlled by tfant- monopolies, to the impoverishment of labor, the crushing out of healthful competition, and the destruction of business security. We hold it, therefore, to be the imperative and immediate duty of Congress to pass all needfnl laws for the control and regulation of these great agents of commerce in aocordanoe with the ott-reireated decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States. 6. That these monopolies, which exacted from enterprise such heavy tribute, have also indicted countless wrongs upon the toiling millions o( the United States, and no system of reform should commend itself to the support of the people which docs not protect the man who earns his bread by the sweat of his face. Bureaus of labor statistics must be established, both State and national arbitration take the place of brute force in the settlement of disputes between employers and employed, the national eight-hour law be honestly enforced, the importation of foreign labor under contract be made illegal, and whatever practical ret rms may be necessary for the protection of united labor must be granted, to the end that unto the toiler shall be given that proportion of the profits of the thing or value created which his labor bears to the cost of production. 7. That we approve and favor the passage of an interstate commerce bill; navigable waters should be Improved by Government and be free. 8. We demand the payment of the bonded debt as It falls due, the election of United States Senators by the direct vote of the people of their respective States, a gradual income tax, and a tariff, which is a tax up n the people, that shall be so levied as to bear lightly as possible upon necessaries; we denounce the present tariff as Being largely In the interest of monopoly and demand that it be speedily and radically reform d in the interest of labor instead of capital. 9. That no further grants of public lands shall be made to corporations. All enactments granting land to corporations should be strictly construed, and all land grants should be lorfeited where the terms upon which the grants were made have not been strictly complied with. The public lands must be held for homes for actual settlers, and must not be subject to purchase or control by non-iesident foreigners or speculators. 10. That we deprerate the discriminating of American legislation against the greatest ot American industries, agriculture, by which it has been deprived of nearly all beneficial legislation, while foroed to bear the brant or taxation, and we demand for It the fostering care of Government and the jnst recognition of its importance in the development and advancement of onr land, and we appeal to the American farmer to co-operate with ns in our endeavors to advance the national interests es the country and the overthrow of monopoly In every shape, when and wherever found. A wrangle at once ensued upon the adoption of the resolutions, and one delegare wanted a plank pnt In on the election franchise in the District of Colombia, and a half dozen others had planks to Insert. Motions were made in all quarters of the house, but tbe platform was finally adopted. Nominations for President of the United States were declared In order. Mrs. Todd, cf California, placed in nomination Benjamin F. Butler, and a dozen others spoke in favor of the General. Mr. Blanchard, of Vermont, nominated Gen. Weaver. The Chairman announced that he had conferred with Gen. Weaver and that the General would under no circumstances accept the nomination if tendered, and that be favored Butler. Mr. Schilling wanted to know if Gen. Bntler would acoept the nomination. C. H. Llchtman » aid he knew that he would. The convention noon procoeded to ballot. Butler received the 39 votes of the Illinois and 22 votes of the Miohlgan delegations solid, and a total of 106; Thurman 7; and Solon Chase 10. The nomination of Gen. Butler was made unanimous. The convention then adjourned, subject to the call of the National Committee.