Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 September 1887 — LOVERING THE NOMINEE. [ARTICLE]

LOVERING THE NOMINEE.

The Massachusetts Democracy Meet and Formulate a Declaration of Principles. .A Denunciation of the PoEcy of the Republican Party in the Past. [Worcester Cor. Chicago Times.] The Democratic State Convention was harmonious and enthusiastic. Its business was ail transacted in less than four hours. The fury of the storm of indignant protest against Collector Saltonstall, of Boston, and Postmaster Corse, of Boston, because they persist in keeping Republicans in office, instead of appointing Democrats, spent itself in the discussion before the State Central Committee the day before the meeting of the convention. The friends of the sort of civil-service reform that is being practiced in this State by these two -officials did not venture to make any defense. If they had there would have been some plain talk, m which President Cleveland would have come in for a share of the criticism. As it was, the opponents of Corse and Saltonstall had their own way. Ex-Congressman Lovering, of Lynn, who was nominated for Governor, is their candidate, and the resolutions contain pointed reference to the office question in the statement that “all the important offices in the civil service should be filled by competent persons in political sympathy with the administration.” After the resolutions had been presented Patrick Maguire, the leader of the Boston malcontents, moved their adoption. He alluded to his differences with Postmaster Corse over the offices in question, and said they were not a matter to be discussed in the convention. He said that what he had done was for the best interests of the party, and that time would show that he was right. Mr. Maguire’s brief speech was uproariously applauded, but it called forth no reply. There was a good deal of interest over the choice of delegates-at-large to the National Convention, and the gentlemen chosen are all strong representative men. No attempt was made to instruct them. Following is the ticket as nominated: Governor, Henry B. Lovering; Lieutenant Governor, Waller E. Cutting, of Pittsfield; Secretary of State, John F. Murphy, of Lowell; Treasurer, Henry C. Thatcher, of Yarmouth; Attorney General, John W. Corcoran, of Clinton; Auditor, William F. Cook, of Springfield. The following were ■elected delegates-at-large to the National Convention: P. A. Collins, Boston; Jonas H. French, Gloucester; John W. Cummings, Fall River; Josiah G. Abbott, Boston. The following platform was unanimously adopted: 1. The Democrats of Massachusetts, in convention assembled, congratulate their fellowcountrymen that under the administration of a Democratic President peace, concord, and fraternity have been restored and prevail throughout the land; that the rights of every citizen under the national laws arc sacredly maintained without regard to race, creed, or color; that an economical, honest, and wise financial policy has advanced the credit of the country at home and abroad, and notwithstanding the accumulation in the national Treasury of a vast surplus revenue, has thus far warded off a financial crisis ; that millions of acres of the public lands recklessly granted to corporate monopolies have been restored to the people ; that the Constitution and the Union have again become the pride of every American, and recognized as the source of individual liberty and national progress, prosperity, and honor; and, finally, that we are blessed in having a national President who knows "no North, no South, no East, no West,” but discharges the duties of his exalted station in strict conformity to the Constitution and the laws, and with unswerving fidelity to his conviction of what is right and for the best interests of the whole people. 2. As Democrats we return our thanks to the President for his adherence to the promises and pledges made on his behalf before election, for his fidelity to the principles enumerated by the convention that placed him in nomination, and for demonstrating the wisdom of those principles when applied to the practical administration of the Government. As citizens we give him our thanks for an honest and economical administration of national spirit, strong and vigorous in action—in fine, an administration which has enhanced the honor and dignity of the nation, renewed our faith in the capacity of a free people for self-government, and added new luster toj the name of American citizens. As Democrats and citizens we pledge to him and to his administration our unqualified support. 3. It being an unquestioned principle that the business of the Government should be conducted with the same care as personal business matters, therefore we believe that no business can be successfully carried on unless those engaged in its prosecution act in harmony. We believe that no business man would employ or retain in his employ any person who was known to be in the interests of a rival, who depreciated his business capacity, undermined his credit, or disclosed his secrets. We believe that no administration of the Government can be successful unless those intrusted with the execution of its affairs are interested in its success, approve of its policy, and believe in its principles. We believe all the important offices in the civil service should be filled by competent persons in political sympathy with the administration; that all other offices not representative in character should be filled by persons selected for their fitness, capacity, and integrity. That the disposing of patronage should neither be a tax upon the time of ■our public men nor the instrument of their ambition. We believe that no officer should be retained in public service who has shown himself an offensive partisan; and we think a sense of propriety to the administration of which they are a part requires the Federal ■ officeholders representing the administration in this State to discharge from the public service any of their subordinates against whom charges of offensive partisanship can be substantiated. 4. We believe that the power of Congress to tax the people is limited by the Constitution to the requirements of the Government; that any system of taxation which produces a revenue beyond that is unwise and dangerous. It throws unnecessary burdens on the people and enhances the cost of living. It encourages needless and extravagant appropriations by Congress, and, by withdrawing from general circulation money that should be actively employed, embarrasses trade and may be the cause of disastrous financial crises. We do not advocate free trade, but favor and desire a revision of the present unjust and burdensome tariff laws We heartily approve of the following recom- . mendation of the President: “The increasing and unnecessary surplus should be released to the people by an amendment to our revenue laws which shall cheapen the prices of the necessaries of life, and give free entrance to such imported materials as mav be manufactured into marketable commodities.” We believe the income derived by the Government from the internal-revenue tax should be applied to discharge the burdens imposed on the people bv the.late war. 5. We cordially approve of those acts of Congress which forbid the importation of contract labor and require the return of disreputable vicious, and criminal persons. But be welcome the honest and industrious immigrant who ■comes with the intent to secure for himself and children a home and place of refuge from despotism. The sixth plank extends sympathy to Ireland. The seventh demands the abolishment of the poll tax in the State. 8. We acknowledge our obligation to the wageearners, and pledge to them our earnest efforts in procuring such legislation as will best promote their interests. 9, The veterans of the Union army and navy are entitled to liberal consideration in appointments in the civil service of the Government.

Those who aie helpiass, and the widows exd minor children of those who have passed away are the wards of the nation, and such should receive from the people that generous care wmch will protect them from want or suffering. The ninth and last plank indorses the candidates.