The Portland daily press., 1879-07-28
Lewiston Journal
The Greenback Split.
Fogg's Fight Against Fusion.

A feeling has existed for some time among
the Auburn Greenbackers that the contention
between the two wings of the party must be
brought to a crisis, and that the two elements
either must be united or the line of division be
plainly drawn by determined action. A few
members of the party held ameeting over Rod
ney Foss's store last Saturday evening to make
the preliminary arrangements for the organiza-
ton of Greenback club in Auburn. At that
meeting temporary organization was made by
choosing l.. L. Bumpus, chairman, and NJ.
Hutchins, secretary. The organization was
understood to be hostile to the principles of
the Chronicle.
A meeting was called on Wednesday even
ing to effect a permanent organization of the
club. 1t was determined by the anti-Fogg
men to make the issue squarely at this meet
ing, and either for Fogg and his party to sur
render or withdraw. The meeting was held in
the hall Of the Auburn Reform Club, and
large crowd was present. The temporary Or
ganization was made permanent without any
show of opposition. The meeting then adopted
a club platform, with the silver and gold
planks omitted and braced up with two or
three labor planks. 1t was satisfactory to Mr.
Fogg So far all went smoothly.
But when Mr.. S. Il. York arose and moved
that the club endorse the platform of the Port
land convention, the battle commenced, and
for an hour or so the meeting resembled dis
turbed hornets nest This was the motion
which was intended to bring the issue directly
before the meeting. Mr. Fogg's friends took
up the challenge and made strong fight.
Before Mr.. York's motion could be submitted
to the convention, Col. Blood jumped up and
made a speech IN which he denounced the
Portland platform as surrender to the Demo-
crats and repeated the structures upon it which
have been made from time to time by the
Chronicle. He moved that Mr. York's motion
be laid on the table.
The motion was put and declared carried by
Mr.. Fogg's friends thought the battle was
already theirs. The Councillor smilingly arose
and made a very pretty speech, in which he
said that he had received letter from Con-
gresham Murch which stated that Mr.. Murch
was opposed to the Portland platform. Coun-
cillor Fogg said that State convention would
be held Immediately after election, which
would make platform that the club could
eonscientiously adopt. He thought that the
club would be wise to delay until that plat
form was made.
The opposition was determined not to lose
the battle so easily. A spirited debate fol-
lowed
Col Emerson replied to Mr. Fogg and main
tanned that the Greenback State convention
had made platform, and the club was bound
by good right to adopt it. The debate was par
ticipated in by E. Y. Turner, Mr.. York, Mr..
Durgan and Col. Emerson ON one side, and by
Councillor Fogg, Col. Blood, Charles Golf, Mr..
Silver and others on Fogg's side. The confu-
sion was great. All the speakers wanted to be
heard at the same time.
Councillor Fogg vainly tried to correct Col.
Emerson, but the Colonel refused to be inter-
rupted.
Mr.. Turner said: eff you will wait until
the ninth day of September, you may make
Greenback labor platform as broad as the hori-
zon, and Wen adopt it. We think as you and
Mr.. Murch do, but it will not be consistent to
take such action until after election
Anything to beat the Republican party, was
the drift of all the speeches on that side, while
MIR. Fugg and his friends stoutiy contended for
greenback principles.
Silver tried to make a speech and was choked
off. Mr.. Fogg made five or six speeches; Col.
Emerson was on his feet many times. Mr..
Turner made two set speeches and was up sew
eral more times.
Some one moved to reconsider the vote
whereby the motion to adopt the Portland
platform was tabled.
This motion was carried although there
were several motions before the meeting, and
it was hard for the members to tell what they
were voting ror.
Il. Y. Turner moved that the Portland plat
form be accepted.
This motion was carried by vote of 81 to IS
amid great confusion.
Charles Goff then arose and asked that his
name be taken from the club roll
Col. Blood followed with a similar request.
Mr.. Fogg got up and left the hall amid great
confusion.
DR.. Bgelow, the State Liquor Agent, was
prompted to make a speech, and said that al
though he was not member OF the club he
was Greenbacker. He noticed there were a
number of Republicans present. He did not
think it was wise for Greenbackers to make
fodder for the Republican OK.
Mr.. Silver said that he thought it was as
well to make fodder for the Republican OK as
for the Democratic horse. DIR. Bigelow, who
is eating from the fusion crib, shook his head
Mr.. Silver then continued speaking, and
charged that the club was run by ring. He
said that the Greenbackers had left the old
parties to avoid ring rule, and were now sub
mitting to another ring. This was greeted with
Kisses and cries of put him out" A scene of
confusion and disorder continued for some time
longer, and the club very inharmoniously ad-