People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 January 1896 — ST. LOUIS JULY 22. [ARTICLE]

ST. LOUIS JULY 22.

Such is the Place and Date For Populist Convention. oh for Union of Uorceo. St. Louis captures to the greatest conventions that w’ll be held this year. The republican convention June 16. and the popu listJuly22. The democrats will hold theirs in the parlor of some down town hotel in Chicago on the after noon of July 7. The recent meeting of the populist committee has p roven to be a notable affair in more ways than one. It had eightyeight members of the commit tee present, while the dem<> cratic committee numbered only fifty-two. In addition proxies were in hand from th& few absent members. The active rivalry developed by thq principal cities of the interior foreshadows an immense attendance. Dallas, Kansas City, St. Louis. Indianapolis, Chicago and Milwaukee all were in evidence with special delegations and liberal inducements that tended to comfort the guardians of the partv exchequer to a degree unknown before in the history of third parties. This fact alone relates its own story as to the importance of the’party in the forth-coming campaign, and the politics of the country. We have attended a great many meetings and conferences of this kind, but at none of them have we to record a better feeling or more harmonious concensus of opinion in general. While the presence of so many proxies in the hands of three or four mem bers at first gave rise to forbodings lest therein might'repose some explosive, it did not prove necessary on any proposition to call a roll of the members. Even on the question of setting the the time so late in the summer there'were not to exceed three votes for an earlier date. On such a proposition, over which there has been expended so wide an an expression through the press, when the concentrated talent of the party agree to that extent we need say no more relative to the unanimity of sentiment which prevailed. It developed as the principal mission of senator Butler at conference, to be the bearer of assurances from the silver , contingent of the country that the? lime for united action with the\opulists was fast becoming a conviction in minds of their leaders, and to prepare the way for a blending of interests lay behind his movements all the way along. At first his resolution declared for a vacant date but within the limits of July 7 and 22. Upon this there was a spirited discussion. occupying several hours, and for the benefit of the party at large, we wish it were possible to give the burning eloquence and practical lessons in middle-of-the-road politics as laid down by the junior senator. It ap pealed to the practical side of every listener, hard as it was for some,to take it at first. But when he related the tactics under which the established machine of his native state (North Carolina) had been smashed by uniting the opposing elements under one banner, under one issue and in that victory planted several members in the national legislature, and that without the sacrificeiof a single principle in our platform, it created an intense impression upon the members. The resolutions as printed herewith were the substitutes drawn up by Mr. Donnelly in connection with Mr. Butler and Gen. Weaver, which varied from the original only in very minute detail and really but a change in phraseology. The committee attended strictly to the business for which it was called together. Occasionally some speaker would drift into some discussion of platform topics only to be called down on a point of order sustained by the house. Not only that, but there was no discussion of or wire pulling visible on behalf of candidates. In conversation between times candidates received but little attention! The overshadowing purpose being to make the most of the present opportunities for the praty’s advancement, sos a great convention, open wide the doors for the increasing elements looking to us for relief, yet to guard well the strongholds and keep intact the principles upon which the contest must be fought. Before entering upon the matter of location for the convention we will give the resolutions passed by unanimous vote as reported by Messrs. Donnelly, Butler and. Weaver. Resolved, That this commit-.

tee shall now proceed to perform the duty delegated to it, to fix the time of holding the second national convention of the people’s party of the United States, to place in nomination candidates for president and vice president of the United States upon a plat form to be adopted by said convention. Whereas, this committee has no right nor does it desire to change in any particular the princ’ples of the people’s party of the United States; yet it believes that in the disgraceful conditions that now oppress the people of the nation, crushing industry. bankrupting commerce. impoverishing agriculture and concentrating the lands and the bonds of the people into the hands of a few. it is the duty of all honest men, without regard to past party affiliations, to uni«e and rescue civilization from the dangers that have endangered it, and Whereas, It is unquestionablv true that a large majority of the voters of the nation, while suf sering from these conditions, are aware that they have been brought upon them by a betrayal of trust'on the part of the two old parties; and Whereas, It is perfectly clear that if voters can be brought together and organized they can and will reverse the present infamous policy of robbery, and give to the people a return of good government, based on the principles of true democracy as represented by Thomas Jefferson, and of true republicanism as represented by Abraham Lincoln.

Therefore, we instruct the executive # committee of this committee to urge upon all men and organizations desiring financial reform, but who are not yet ready to become members of our organization, to hold a separate convention in the same city and at the same time, that we shall fix upon, so that an honorable effort may be made, by conference and consultation, without sacrifice of principle, to unite all friends of financial reform in support of the same candidates for president and vice-president. Resolved, That in so great a work of unifying the whole people against their oppressors, no small or petty considerations should stand in the way, and we, therefore, hereby express our feeling that if either the time fixed by us for holding said convention, or the place in which it is to be held, shall constitute an impediment to perfect co-opera-tion of all honest citizens at the ballot box. that our executive committee shall have power to change said date and place; pro vided, that the said date not be prior to July 7, 1896, and not later than July 22, 1896, and that the place of meeting shall be such as .to be not inconvenient to the body of our constituents; and any change, if made, shall be announced within ten days from this date.

BIDDING FOR THE GREAT MEET. Dallas, Texas, ewe up twenty strong, headed by the mayor and supported by the leading cities of the Lone Star state, willing to put ten dollars to one, as against any city of proportionate wealth and population. They wanted the convention for advertising purposes and would have instituted a vast system of excursions for their visitors free of expense, and with a hospitality common with the great hearted people of the south. Texas has 168,000 populists who have already voted the ticket and as many more only waiting the next opportunity, and thousands of these people wanted to help along the enthusiasm incident to ; the occasion. And they would not have failed in the undertak ing. No one questioned it for a moment; but the distance was so great to one side. Kansas City had but one drawback; their great assembly hall was recently destroyed by fire, but if vast tent service would answer,, they would then be strictly in it when offering inducements. The details were not made public, but if St. Louis increased the bids of other cities, which she n/bst have done, the city furnishes free all necessary halls, decorations, badges, printing, music, expenses of the executive committee until the convention, together with free headquarters and at least a *IO,OOO nest egg in the treasury. r Milwaukee and Dallas took the disappointment most to heart; cheerfully, however, for they each came there determined toget that convention. Still the action by the committee elicited no criticism, all believing it to be the best location for the country at large.

The committee in executive session discussed attacks made by various newspapers apd Populist state committees on Chairman Taubeneck and other officers of the national committee. Mr. Snyder, of Kansas, presented the following resolution, wnich, after considerable dis cussion, was adopted almost unanimously, there being only three dissenting votes. •‘Resolved, That in line with the action of our friends at state meetings lately held by the people’s party in North Dakota. Illinois and Indiana, the mumbers of the national cojnmittee in executive session at St. Louis, Jan 18, desire to express their entire confidence in the wisdom, judgement and integrity of our chairman, H. E. Taubeneck; our secretary. J. H. Turner; our treasurer. M. C. Rankin, and each qf the other members of the executive committee in their conduct of the people’s party business as its representatives, and urge and advise populists throughout the nation to immediately line up to the support of he executive committee with liberal contributions to sustain its work in the coming campaign.” The point in dispute was aimed at the chairman and lay in the words “wisdom and judgement.” The resolution was rather a reflection on several members of the reform prbss for the roasts they have given during the past year, and they would prefer to see it come in some other form, but after “chewin’, the rag” an hour it went through almost unanimous. One important change from the last program came up for adjustment in fixing the rate of representation, the feeling prevalent favoring a representation based upon the populist vote at its best since ’92 in respective states. Ohio thus will have 49 votes in the convention, and Texas, with 168,000 popular vote will have 95. The inequalities show up in New York, Pennsylvania and Oklahoma. The two former, because they have a larger delegation t based on congressmen than on populist vote, while Oklahoma, as a territory, has 12,000 populist votes, but must come in under the territory rating. After considerable discussion the report was adopted, providing for the representation in this w r ay: Each state is to be allowed one delegate for each congressman and senator and one additional delegate for each 2,000 votes or majority fraction thereof cast for populist candidates in 1892, 1894 or 1895, the highest controlling, and each territory is to be given four votes. Indianapolis had no bona fide bonus to offer, but her invitation was an earnest and warm-hearted one. Chicago, already involved in the struggle for the democratic convention,’ was handicapped, for her committees were absent and had not time to make the substantial offer they now desired to make if given ten days. It was manifest that were this time given not less than *20,000 would be assured, which with the matchless press and hall facilities, looked for some time a<s the winning card. Bob Schilling was loaded with a definite proposition that reached *IO,OOO and free hall service if® Milwaukee should receive favorable recoignition. Bob was good as a delegation of fifty, but the fates were against his city. Several times the question of settling on place was laid over, sharpening meanwhile the appetites and designs of the contestants. St. Louis being on the ground had the advantage by inducing an immediate session of the executive committee —to whom the matter had been left to decide within ten days—and came forward with such offers as to settle the question right there. The following is the number of delegates which this will give to the separate states and territories: Alabama 54 Ntevada 7 Arizona 4 New Hampshire. 4 Arkansas 20 New Jersey 12 California 39 New York 44 Colorado 45 North Carolina. .95 Connecticut 7 North Dakota... 12 Delaware 3 Ohio 49 Florida 8 Oregon 17 Georgia 61 Pennsylvania.... 42 Idaho 7 Rhode Island.... ‘ 4 Illinois 54 South Carolina. .18 Indiana 30 South Dakota... 17 lowa 30 Tennessee .24 Kansas 82 Texas 92 Kentucky 25 Vermont 4 Louisana 15 Virginia 53 Maine 9 Washington 17 Maryland 9 West Virginia. .. 8 Massachusetts... 51 Wisconsin 25 Michigan 29 Wyoming 7 Minnesota 53 New Mexico 4 Nebraska 51 Utah 5 A committee was appointed to confer with the Bimetallic League, which convenes at Wash-

ington, D. C., January 22. The committee will endeavor to secure unity of action upon the money question. The personnel of the committee is as follows: Gen. Weaver, Iowa; James G. Field, Virginia; Senator Butler, North Carolina; Congressman Bell, Colorado; C. M. Wardell, California; J. H. Turner, Georgia; E. Gerry Brown, Massachusetts; H. S. Taylor, Illinois. NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. Capt. Power did not let the Indianapolis monument escape attention. Texas will do the right thing by the editors on Feb. 22, .if they did not get the convention. Mr. Sherry, of Arkansas, was for an early date, Jefferson’s birthday, and refused to be comforted. The proxies did not “explode” as Ralph Beaumont intimated at the outset a possiblility that they might. If the silver contingent think more of silver than old party they have an opportunity now to make it known. O. D. Jones struggled hard to get with the majority, but his efforts were almost if not entirely unavailing each lime. Now let St. Louis plan some route to enter their city from the east some other than through that corporation hole over the river. Harry Tracy was not so disconcerted over St. Louis’ victory to keep him from introducing a few yarns for which Texans are supreme. z H. B. Martin, of the K. of L. Executive Board, was present from Minnesota, and was about the only active representative connected with any of the labor organizations. J. Burrows, the veteran editor of Nebraska, has invented a mailing machine that he claims will revolutionize the present facilities in vogue in offices of large circulations. A. Rozelle championed the interests of the party in connection with St. Louis as the place for July meeting. His smile when we left him was rapidly expanding. Mrs. Diggs was the only woman delegate present in committee sessions. She is now connected with Senator Stewart’s paper, the Silver Knight, of Washing ton City. Chairman Taubeneck can’t think of admitting the Non-In-terest Bond or Good Roads bills into the next platform. “Why, no government could stand under such a system.” J. A. Edgerton, the young poet of Nebraska, whose talents arq visible in this issue, was one of the active representatives from his state. He is one poet whose poetry is not doggerel. Hon. Tom Patterson, of the Rocky Mountain News, acted as chairman of sub committee to prepare the apportionment of s’tate representation, and proved a very efficient member all through. As usual Dpnnelly always comes in with a compromise that settles disputes, quells disturbances, and at the same time exceeds original purposes of both sides in points sought to be gained J. D. Hess, of Pike county, Illinois, took that active interest in proceedings that suggested sanguine expectations from his district this campaign. Pike county is one that can sustain such wh6n all the Hesses are in the field. There is one man in demand by about every editor in the ranks. That is Heston, and with all the excellent cartoons brought out by others, they doff their hats to Sound Money for her cartoons and Washington correspondent. D. M. Fulwiler, Eugene Smith, F. J. Schulte and Dr. Taylor made a herioc fight for Chicago, and consoled themselves that individually they were relieved from six monthys of worry and loss of time that otherwise would have been their lot. The silver people cannot say now that the door is not open 'for them to enter where their voices and votes will count. And it may be also remarked, this is about the last hearing they can expect until they make a showing of something more than leadership. S. A. Hazeltine, son of ex-Con-gressman Ira Hazeltine of Missouri, one of the old greenback thirteen, was a visitor and a delegate. To his and anothers’ exertions are due th,e credit for raising a carload of flour for the commonweal when camped at Washington.

Judge Peter F. Swayne, of Cincinnati, lost his pocketbook the other day and it developed

that he had passes over all the railroads running out of the city. J ust imagine a judge trying cases every day in which railroads are a party with passes in his pocket over these roads. Just as well have a roll of bills —bribes. This is the kind of people the laboring men vote for and just why they get beaten by the courts in every contest. This is the law-and-order methods of the old party politicians. This is one of the strongest arguments for government ownership of railroads—it will remove the temptation to bribery. The judge did not have a pass to send his letters through the postoffice without paying— much. The men who get the best salaries, the men who are best able to pay, are the ones who don’t pay." The railroads know their own. Swayne would have no passes if the people had not voted for him, or if he were in favor of government ownership. See it, you working people? How long will you remain blind to the fact that it is by such favors to press, pulpit. judges, officials and politicians that you are kept in the dark regarding the great benefits that would accrue to farmers and laboring men by government ownership of railroads? I cannot see how an officer or public teacher can honorably accept favors from coiporations. Corporations are public enemies.— Appeal to Reason.