Democratic Sentinel, Volume 12, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 July 1888 — MICHIGAN DEMOCRATS. [ARTICLE]

MICHIGAN DEMOCRATS.

In State Convention They Nominate Wellington R. Burt for Governor. A Fusion Effected with the Greenbackers, Who Name a Portion of the Ticket. The Democratic Convention. [Detroit special.] The Democratic State Convention met at 11:45 o’clock Thursday morning. William P. Wells, of Detroit, was made temporary Chairman and F. H. Thomas temporary Secretary. After thecalling of the roll to name the various committeemen and electors chosen by the district caucuses, Chairman Weston, of the State Central Committee, announced that he had received a telegram from the Greenbackers, in convention at Grand Rapids, asking that a conference committee be appointed to confer with a similar committee from that body. The announcement was received with general favor, and u committee composed of & member from each Congressional district was named. A recess was then taken until 2 o’clock. The convention reassembled at 2:10 o’clock. The temporary organization was made permanent. Neither the Committee on Resolutions nor that on conference was ready to report, and the time was passed in listening to a number of short speeches, including one by ex-Senulor Jones of Florida. Judge Baldwin submitted the report of the Committee on Resolutions as follows : The Democracy of Michigan, assembled in convention for the nomination of Stai e officers, recognizing the fact that its chief duty is to present to the people candidates whose eloction will bring to the administration of State affairs integrity of character, purity of purpose and sound business methods, reaffirms its adherence to the traditional and established principles and policies of the Democratic party iu respect to national politics. We renew the expression of our approval of the administration of President Cleveland, which has won the respect and confidence of the people, and justified his renomination, in response to the universal sentiment of the Democracy, by his unwearied devotion to public duty, his courageous maintenance of Democratic principles and his enforcement of pure, just and impartial methods of administration in all departments of the Government. To him, as the chosen standard-bearer of the National Democracy in the present campaign, and to his associate, Allen G. Thurman, the tried statesman, distinguished by a long life of public service, which has been Illustrated by high ability Mid perfect integrity, and fruitful of benefit to the people, we pledge our best efforts, to the end that Michigan may be once more enrolled in the list of Democratic States. Upon the chief question of national politics, the relief of the people from the burdens of tariff taxation, we declare our unalterable opposition to the present tariff policy of the Republican party. We affirm our approval of the last annual message of President Cleveland as an accurate expression of the just and traditional Democratic principles, which should govern tho whole subject of revenue reform and the reduction of the surplus in the Treasury. We declare our adherence to the platform adopted by the National Democratic Convention at St. Louis ; and we approve of the action of our Democratic Representatives in Congress in their efforts to secure a reduction of tariff taxation, thereby preventing the farther accumulation of a dangerous surplus in the Treasury and relieving the people from the burdens of a war tariff. We believe that this result only can bring the policy of the Government on this subject in harmony with the Constitution, the true interest of the people, the just demands of labor, the prosperity of all industries, and the adequate development of the resources of tho country.

Though more than, twenty-three years have elapsed since the war, we should not forget that a large number of that gallant and patriotic army that preserved to us an undivided country is still among us. With increasing years and increasing disability, the result of their privations and hardships, we believe the General Government should deal justly with them, and that liberal pensions should be granted to the wounded and disabled, not as a charity, but as a debt due them for inestimable services rendered their country, and we point with satisfaction and approval to the liberal construction of existing pension laws by the present administration, resulting in a large increase in the amount annually paid to the veterans, and we urge action by Congress at its present session upon the pending pension measures. The Democracy of Michigan, believing in the dignity of American labor, recognize the right of wage workers to the fostering ca'e of government, that the legitimate industry in every walk of life may be encouraged in its work of building up the material interests of the State. The ownership of real estate in this country by foreign corporations and non-resident aliens is injurious to American interests and should be prohibited. We favor the adoption of measures providing for the health and safety of those engaged in mining, manufacturing and building industries. We demand the repeal of all class legislation under which monopolies have been fostered and protected. We demand that Congress shall restore to the public domain for settlement ill lands granted to railroads or other corporations wh ch have not been earned, and more particularly do we demand the forfeiture of all unearned grants of lands in the Upper Peninsula, that that portion of the State may no longer be deprived of its natural growth and development. The multiplication in the State of petty boards, commissions, and officials, with such powers and surroundings as insure neither official responsibility nor the respect of the Legislature or the people, leaves the'matter of approE riations for State institutions largely controlled y log-rolling combinations, and to this as well as to lack of system we attribute the great and constant increase of expenditures. Therefore we submit that the case is one demanding the election of a Legislature and State officers free to make the changes which economy and good business methods may dictate. The doctrines of home rule and local self-gov-ernment are cardinal principles of the Democratic party. Therefore we cordially sympathize with the people of Ireland in the grand contest which they are making under the leadership of Gladstone and Parnell for the right to havo the management of their own affairs. The platform was adopted by a unanimous vote, amid great cheering. The Conference Committee reported an agreement with the committee at Grand Rapids for a division of the ticket, the Greenbackers taking the attorney generalship, auditorship, commissioner of tne land office, and three electors. After a brief discussion the report was cordially adopted and the convention adjourned until 7:30. It was after 8 o’clock when the convention reassembled. The eight electors chosen by the district caucuses were nominated without oppoßition. Wellington R. Burt, of Saginaw, was nominated for Governor by acclamation, and the ticket was completed as follows: Lieutenant Governor, William B. Moran; Secretary of State, Thomas D. Hawley; State Treasurer, John D. Norton ; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Stuart Mackibben; State Board of Education, Charles E. King. Mr. Burt was introduced to the convention, and made a ringing speech accepting the nomination. The speech created wild enthusiasm. When he said he fully indorsed the President’s message, the convention climbed onto the seats, shouted, ch- ered, waved hats, canes, and bandanas for fully five minutes.