The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-03-03
aREENnAcK TROUBLES.

That band of brothers, our greenback
friends, are not at present dwelling in thai
amity that chosen patriots should, but are
stirring up trouble in theiE-own ranks, and
Uncle Jesse Harper is the cause of it. He
issued call for national convention
but many greenbackers do not seem willing
to follow his lead, as will be seen from the
following in the New York Sun:
The terms of Col. Jesse Harper's call for
q national convention of greenbackcrs were
one of the things that provoked the meet
ing of the New York state committee OF
the greenback- labor party that was held at
the Sturtevant House yesterday. Nineteen
of the committee were present, and Chair
man George O. Jones presided. Mr.. Jones
explained that the call had created good
deal of feeling because it appeared to con
template the disruption of the party and
the formation of new party.
COL Harper's call was thereupon read.
1t provides that a national convention or
conference shall be held when 500, 900 citi-
zens shall have signed the roll. 1t contem-
plates amalgamation of the greenback-
labor party and all trades, alliances, anti
monopoly leagues, farmers associations,
producers unions, and similar organiza-
tons.
Edward NJ. Davis, of Philadelphia, was
invited to speak. He said that when he
first embraced tbs greenback idea he wrote
an article which resulted in a conversation
with Horace Greeley. The result of the
conversation was that Mr.. Greeley called
him "lunatie" in the 9Tribune-s'a title
which all of you present have earned, adj
ded Mr. Davis. and the greenbackers ap-
plauded. The call contemplates lowering
the greenback platform an inch for this
faction to get on until we finally get it low
enough for one or the other OF the two
great parties to get aboard and crowd us
off altogether | am opposed to lowering
it a particle.
A committee was appointed to report on
Col Harlser's call. Up to this time it had
not been characterized as anything more
than an error of judgement or an ineau-
tious use of language. But while the
committee was out Mr. Patrick Doody an
nounced that Col. Harper had either been
duped by Gen. Weaver or had lent himself,
as chairman Of the national committee, to
the general, to advance the generals pros
poets for the presidency. Gen. Viewers
got the presidential bee in his bonnet" ex-
claimed Mr.. Doody. when any man in
the party wants to use the party, the party
has no use for him.
Peter Herdic, of Williamsport, Pa, was
present but declined to speak The com
mittes returned with resolutions, which
Chairman Furnish, of Brooklyn, said we're
not strong enough to suit him, but which
he had been restrained by the older mem
oers who spoke for peace and harmony,
rom making stronger. They declared the
greenback labor party to be a sub
'tantial body, that had passed the era of
idicule and abuse, and expressed regret
hat Col. Harper's call does not ailude to it
~ name, and establishment at his recon-
nendation of the ''upbuilding of a new
party. They commend National Commit |
eeman Howe's demand for meeting of |
he national committee, and urge that |
rational convention of the greenback labor
,arty be held at an early day.
II don't care" said Chairman Kurdish, |
when the resolution had been read, eff Col
farper's heart is as pure as his mind is
lank He either doesn't I'm 1erstand the
English language OF he has proved a
raitor to the party. He can write let
ers of explanation, giving us taffy enough
or US to walk from here to Chicago on, but
his call succeeds when we get to Chicago,
re can't go into the convention on his
affy. Suppose we appear there with $50
reenback delegates. When noses are
ounted we will find there are $50 anti
delegates and dem
Gratis. Where they will land us you can
nagine. There were 350,000 of us stood
p and voted for Weaver and our prinei-
les last fall, aud we will vote for the lat
n as long as water runs down hill and God
lakes little chickens"
The committee adopted the report, with
q amendment offered by Mr.. Kurdish re-
Nesting Mr.. Howe to insist that Col. Har-
ers call be withdrawn and the matter be
sferred to the whole national committee.
ftcr considering at what time the con-
ention should be held SO as least to inter-
re with the haying, the committee de-
ded to hold it at Albany, July 10.
At four o'clock the committee adjourned.
ut after two hours recess number of
lem, some of the visiting greenbackers
nd others friendly to the movement, as
.mbled for an informal conference.