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Luce Re-nominated

Luce Re-nominated image
Parent Issue
Day
17
Month
August
Year
1888
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

The republican st ate convention was held in Detroit on the 8th and 9th inst. Preceding tho flrst session of tho convontion a meeting of tho state central committeo was held, atwhich much preliminary business was transacted and arrangements made for tho meetings of the district caucuses. Maj. Hopkins called tho convention to order on the afternoon of the 8th. Prayer was offered by the Kev. Mr. Hlades of Detroit. Harry Tillman read tho cali for the convention, and introduced as temporary chairman Major Watkins of Grand Rapids, who took tho chair, and in his speech said that the republicans never suramoncd their f orces togethor when the rank and filo were better equipped than at present. He bclieved this to be a republican year, and he wanted all tho peoplo of the state to embrace republicanism, as expounded by "Garfield, Zach Chandler and Abe Lincoln." Ho then quoted Gen. Harrison's remark at the Michigan club banquet, "I am a dead senator, but a living republican," and said he believed it was the providenco of God that made Hen Harrison tho republican Standard bcarer. "We bolieve," he said, "that America should not be the dumping ground of the pauper labor of Europo (not Asia) . We believe in a f roe ballot and an honest count, and we bclieve in upholding the industries of this country, and to this end we believe that they should beprotected, and not given over to tho cheap labor of England. On that great moral question that is of paramount importanco wo believo that the ropublican party should take no backward step. The republican party is opposed to the democratie party bocause the latter is opposed to progress and good govornment. The ropublican party stands four-square to all the winds that blow on the question of prohibition, and it representa the en terpriso and push of American eitizenship. We aro met to select the men that wiU conduct tho affairs of the state for tho next two years. You can, by no possibility, makc a mistako. As I look over tho record of the state for the last thirtytwo years, I can but believe that the progress is duo to the men which this republican party has placed in ohargo of its affairs." Maj. Watkins then named, with pride, the several governors of the state, but awoke no responso until ho reached Aiger. He would not forget that groat "farmer" governor, Cyrus (3. Luce. This brought out a moment's applause. He announcod that tho South was deprived by the democrats of its rightful representation in the halls of congress through intiinidation, but ho was sure the republicans would see that this great wrong was righted in November next. He found fault with the fact that so many republicans had been turned out of office by President Cleveland, but ho knew that after next March the republicans would bo kopt very busy in this direction. He then referred with feeling to the death of Gen. Sheridan, and paid a short tribute to his memory. Maj. Watkins told the convention that good nows was coming cvery day from the doubtful states, and when that Gladstono of America, that peerlcss citizen, James G. Blaine, reached our shores, such a wave of republicanism would go up as would lift Xew York and other states from the doubtful column. Capt. B. F. Graves of Adrain was made temporary secretary. Senator Farr of Ottawa moved that the convention send greetings to Hon. James G. Blaine, now in New York. The motion was adopted by a rising vote. S. S. Babcock of Detroit moved the appointment of tho usual committees and the motion was adopted and the committees appointed. Gen. Alger who was present, was invited to a seat on the platform. His appearanco was greeted with great enthusiasm, and when it had subsidcd Gen. Alger said: "If Icould oommand the words to express my feelings at this rsception," ho said, "it would give me greater pleasure to talk to you. The citizens of Michigan know that I am an active man. In early Ufe I started out to be a lawyer. I studied hard, and through the mercy of the judge I was admitted to the bar. But I soon found out that I had made a mistake and I quit the law and went to work. [Great laughter.] Wo hear many rumors and the latest is that Gen. Harrison has withdrawn. That is done to sell newspapors. and to encourage the democrats. I wish to say to you that tbe republicans are in this flght to win, and I wish to say that anything I can do, and anything I have is at the service of the republican party. I am satisfled with the ticket, and will say that it will have my support as faithfully as it would have had had I been the candidato. That's the way we do business in Michigan. Col. Duffleld of Detroit, offered the following resolution, which was adopted by a rising vote. Resolved, By the ïepublicans of Michigan, in state convention assembled, that tho tearful and heartfelt sympathy of this convention ís hereby extended to the bereaved widow and affliotedfamily of that grand, noble and patriotic soldier of the union army, Gen. Phillip H. Sheridan, in whoso death the nation moums the loss of one of its greatest chieftains and pureBt patriota. Burt Parker of Monroe moved that a greeting be sent to the republican state convention of Indiana, now in session, with the hope that it will nomínate the winning ticket and thus redeem the state. The motion was adopted. Alfred Russell of Detroit offered the following resolution, and moved its adoption by a rising voto : Resolved, By the republicans of Michigan, in state convention assembled, as follows: Whereas, United States Senator Thomas W. Palmer has informed tho republicans of this state that it is his desire to retire to private life at the expiration of his present term of office, we receive this announcement with deep regret, and horeby express our conviction that, by the retirement of Senator Palmer, the legislativo department of the government wiU lose the services of a wise statesman, the peoplo will lose a gallant champion, and the republican party will lose from the senato a steadfast and earnest upholder of its principies and ideas. Senator Palmer's labors in behalf of the rivers and harbors of Michigan, and tho shipping and commercial interests of the wholo northwest, have worthily kept up the high standard set by Zachariab Chandler; and the results he has reached in caring for the many and diverse interests of this commonwealth and its people, have shown that he is a true and devoted son of Michigan; and, In particular, his recent gallant fight to confine railroads and other corporations within just bounds, and to secure for the homesteaders of the upper península their full rights to their lands, entitles him to the gratitudo of the poople of this state. While wo, as republicana, deeply regret Senator Palmer's determination, we shall expect to continue to have the benefit of his advice and counsel at all times, and especially during this campaign, and to share with him the pleasures of victory. Senator Jay A. Hubbell of Houghton, moved that the resolution be roferred to the committee on resohitions. The raotlon was adopted and Mr. Hubbell then moved that all resolutions be referred to the committee without reading. This also prevailed and tho convention took a recess until the next day. In the evening a rousing ratification meeting was held, and speeches delivered by Gov. Luce, Gen. Alger, Hon. Jay A. Hubbell, Col. Atkinson, Kobert E. Prazer and others. The convention was called to order at 10 o'clock on the 9th inst. The committeo on credentials reported accredited delégales present from all counties except Gogebic and Iron. The report was accepted and adopted without reading. Tho committee on permanent organization reported the names of Hon. G. W. Farr of Grand Haven for permanent chairman, and Col. E. M. Irish of Kalamazoo for permanent secretary. Mr. Farr took the chair, and thanked the convention for tho honor conferred, than which, he said, he knew no greater. He said: Today was a day for business. But the delegates were present largely because they were fond of the republican party for its great and historie past, and from that past they had the promisoof a grand fruition in the future. If the party could depend upon its past to how rich a feast would it sit down ! Nothing for 80 years worthy to bo remombered could be found which was not the work of the republican party. If the democratio party could live on its record tho prodigal son, who llved on the husks which the swine refused, would have died of gout. Mr. Farr said Mr. Cleveland had vetoed more soldiers' pension bilis than all the other presidents combined. Never until Cleveland's adininistration had a battered hero of the war been forced to a home in tho almshouse. Tho Fitz-John Porter case received his attention - oue relief bill which the president did not voto. After Mr. Farr's addross the convention proceeded to the nomination of candidatos for state officers. This work proceeded rapidly until attorney-general was reached, when there was a contest, four oandidates being presentad - Burton Parker of Monroe; Èdward E. Edwards of Newaygo; Stephen V. R. Trowbridgo of Ionia ; wilHam H. Padghamof Allegan. An informal ballot was ordered, and resulted in the choice of Trowbridge. Another contest oceurred when the didates for members of state board of education was reached. Jo8eph E. Easterbrook was named for re-nomination by an Eaton oounty delegato and his nomination was made by aeclaination. Senator Giddíugs of Cadillac, in a telling speech, presented the name of Perry E. Powers of Cadillac, for member of tho state board of education. He uskcd for his nomination on behalf of the youug republicana of northern Michigan, and as a representative of the state presa. Tho name of E. O. Grosvenor of Jonesville, was also presented and a ballot ordered, which ros al teil in the nomination of Powers. The ticket as completed is as follows : Governor - Cyrus G. Luce of Branch. Lieutenant governor - James H. McDonald of Delta. Secretary of state- Gil R. Osinuu of Wayne. State troasurer- George L. Maltz of Alpe 11a. Auditor general- Henry H. Aplin of Bay. Commissionor of tho land office - Hoscoc D. Dix of Berrien. Attornoy general- S. V. R. Trowbridge of Ionia. Superintendent oí public instruction- Joseph Estabrook of Eaton. Member state board of education- Perry F. Powers of Wexford. The convention then proceded to name the electors with the following result : Electors- At large, K. A. Alger of Wayne and Isaac Cappon of Kent. I.- Edward Burk. II.- Junius E. Beal. III. - Richard Kingman. IV.- J. W. Frenen. V.- Don J. Leathers. VI. - James M. Turner. VII.- John S. Thompson. VIII.- Elliolt F. Grabill. X.- Harry P. Merrill. XI.- Perry Hannah. TUK PLATFORM. Tho committee on resolutions submitted the following: The rcpublicans of Michigan, assombled in state convention, reafflrm their faith and confldence in the principies expressed and candidatos selected by tho national republican party at its recent convention in Chicago. That in Benjamin Harrison we recognize undoubted integrity, high statesmanship and devoted patriotism, and pledge to him and his honorable and distinguished associato our vigorous and earnest support. We do most fully and cordially indorse the wise, economical and statesmanlike administration of Gov. Cyrus G. Luco, and commend the vigilance and courage with which he has dischargod the official duties of his great offlee. We are also justly proud of the faithful and capable manner in which every state offleer has discharged the duties of his ollice during the present term. We believe in that system of proteetion which has built up and diversified our industries, and has made us tho best fed, clothed, housed and the happiest and most civilized of peoples; which has rewarded labor with wages and eonditions unequalled elsewhere, and which has made our : kets the envy of all the world. We arraiga and censure Grover Cleve land and tho democratie party for their bitter and disloyal attacks upon American industries and American labor, cspecially for their direct and merciless blows aimed at Michigan, and those of her great industries which havo advanced her to the front rank iu the march of statos. We arraign them for placing wool on the f ree list, the effect of which has already boen to greatly reduce the price, and which, if adopted, would absolutely drive from our farms the growing of sheep. We believe in a reduction of tho i ing surplus and national revenues to governmental requirements by an American protective and ropublican method, and not by an English f ree trade and democratie system, and that such reduction should be made with the encouragement of our industries and the better wages of our workmen ever in view. We cordially indorse the progressivo temperance legislation enacted by the last legislature, and regret that its f uil fruits were not realized owing to the technical defects in the laws, held by the supremo court to be in conflict with the constitution. We record ourselves as in favor of the impartial enforcement of the temperance laws of the state and recommend to the next legislature the re-enactment of a local option law that shall be free from constitutional objections. Upon the question of pensions to union soldiers, their widows, orphans and dependent ones, the republican party, unlike its antagonist, is not divided by sectional prejudices, but its sentiments are ever grateful and patiiotic. We believe the debt of gratitude we owe to the brave defender of our national life can only be discharged by extending to them such aid, and especially to their maimed, i broken and crippled survivors, and such ' caro for tho dependont ones of deceased soldiers as will bring to them comfort and do honor to a patriotic people, blessed with a bountiful land and overflowing treasury. Wo indorse the sentiment reeently uttered by our leader, Benjamin Harrison: "It is no timo now to use the apothocary's i scale to weigh the rewards of the men who saved tho country." We believe in such legislation, both stato and national, as "iH impose severo penalties upon all organized trusts and monopolies that unjustly oppress our citizens, and do hereby declare our opposition to their existence. The republican party being n favor of protectlng the producís of American labor, also demands the protection of American laborers, and is thcrefore unalterably opposed to unrestrained Chinese immigration and to the importation of all foreign contract labor; and believe that such laws should be enacted as will give protection to our laboring men against such competition, and secure to them the wages and labor to which they are rightfully entitled. We believe also in such legislation as will ever protect the laborcr in the preservation of his rights and secure to him safety in his employment. We condemn the democratie members of congress from this state for their willing submission to the dictation of southern democratie members and for their unreasonable and disloyal action upon "the refunding of the direct tax bill" passcd by the senatej and which legally and justly by its provisions would havo turnod into our state treasury nearly half a million of dollars and would have reduced the burdens of Michigan taxpayers so much. We also arraign the democratie party for its criminal insincerity in indorsing the Mills bill and nominating candidatos who have declared their opposition thereto. lts pretended loye of party and the barter and sale of its principies and the name of democracy to a meaningless fusión for the sake of votes, lts indefensibie action in keeping Daltota from the sisterhood of states. The scurrilous vetoes of pension bilis; its j competency and failure to reduce tho I plus, and for the prostitution of the civil ! service so soon following the glowing declaration of the newly-eïected democratie president, are bul a few of their inconsistencies. We invite the intelligent voters of Michigan from tho unnumbered callings to an examination of the record and principies of the republican party, and we solicit the co operation of all who bclievo in the continuod industrial progress of our state, and iu the protoction of labor, the farm and tho workshop, and against the dangers threatened them. After the adoption of the platform, State Senator Habeock, from tho committee on resolutions, reponed that the Palmer resolution in troduced the day previous had been modiüed by the committee. He read the following, which was adopted : Whereas, United States Senator Thomas W. Palmer has informed the republicans of this state that it is his duty to retire to private life at the expiration of his present term of offlee, therefore Resolved, That by the retirement of Senator Palmer the legislativo department of this government will lose the services of a wise statesman, a gallant champion and an earnest and steadfast upholder of rep cblican principies and ideas. We appreciate and commend his labora in behalf of the rivers and harbors of Michigan and the wholo northwest, and in particular his recent sturdy flght to secure for the homesteaders of the upper península their full rights te their lands, which entitles him to the gratitude of the peoplo of this state. While as republicans we deeply regret Senator Palmer's determination. we shall expect to continue to have the benefit of his advice and counsel at all times, and especially during the campaign, and to share with him the pleasure of victory. While the convention was at work Hon. James McMillan was discovered in the audience. He was asked to come to the platform, and was greeted with three hearty cheers. He said : I thank you, gentlemen, and I wish to congratúlate you on the nominations you have made. They are remarkably good nominations. Mr. Luce, who ran so well last year, will run a great deal better this year, notwithstanding tho boodle and Burt and the stradle platform. Michigan is no longer a doubtful state. Talking with a gentleman in New York the other day, I tnlil him that Michigan was good for 7,000 to 10,000 in ordinary years, but iu presidential years was good for 20,000 or 30,000. I thank you for the reception. After cheers for Harrison and Morton and the state ticket nominated, the convention adjourned. Dr. Mary Walker demanded that a fel low passenger in a treasury department elevator put out his cigar. He replied: "When you take off trousers and iv on petticoats I will put out my cigar."

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Subjects
Old News
Ann Arbor Democrat