The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-07-05
MONOPOLY.
The Autobiography Conference IN
Chicago

Chicago on the 4th day of July, lSS2 for the
purpose of organizing a new political party
to espouse the cause of legitimate industry in
the irTepressible conflict already entered upoS
between the confederated moropolies and the
people
All who favor the restriction of the power
of corporations, the holding of the public
lands for actual settlers, the suppression of
gambling in the necessities of life, and COM
binations which fix prices against the natural
laws of trade, the destruction of legal rights
in vested wrongs, and the overthrow of all
monopOlies and of all systems and laws made
iii the interest of the few and against the
many; all who oppose the control of the cur
rency by banks of issue, and the taxation of
all industry for the benefit of favored
enterprise under the guise of a protective
tariff all who favor the election of the pres
ident, vice president and United States sen
ators by direct vote of the people-all who
favor simple and just government as against
that which is complex and corrupt, are in
vited to choose delegates to represent them in
the conference, the basis of representation
being four delegates. for the District of
Columbia, four for each territory, and four
for each congressional district in the United
States
Believing that crisis, forced by the power
of organized greed, is approaching, not alone
in our national affairs but in civilization it.
self, we appeal to the freemen of America to
organize themselves anew to stand again as
they and their fathers have stood before for
the rights of man and the dignity of human
nature
To this document the names of Anti-Mo-
nopolists in various parts of the country were
attached Opposition has been shown to the
movement by many of the Greenhackers,
VINO feared their party would be swallowed
in pl'era t1iy inu nd WI tod 10
subordinating the currency to any other issue
In many cases, however, the Greenback
leaders have indicated their willingness to
join forces with the Anti Monopolists pro
viled the movement was properly organized
The Autobiography leaders have claimed
that their purpose was to organize new par
ty out of the existing elements of all the old
ones, and they could not show special consider
alton to the Greenbackers 1t is possible that
Gen. Weaver and other prominent Greenback
ers who are friendly to the Anti Monopoly
idea will be present in the convention as
spectators, but they are not likely to take
part in the proceedings, The indications are
that for the most part the convention will be
made up of new men who have not been
heard of heretofore in connection with politi-
cal affairs. In some instances the delegates
will represent well-organized Anti Monopoly
hsdies while in others they will be to some
extent self-elected New York has state
Anti-Monopoly league which has been in ex-
istence for some time, and made its influence
felt in the legislature, though not acting as a
separate political party. With it have been
identified a number of prominent business
men who are not politicians Gen. Roger A
Pryor, of Brooklyn, is one of the delegates,
though it is not certain that he will be pres
emit. In the western states the representa-
ton will come mainly from the grange ele-
ment, oranges having in many cases taken
the initiative in electing delegates From
states like Kansas and Nebraska, where Anti
Monopoly has been made straight-out DO
litical issue by the farmers there will be
members of the legislature and other public
officials present. Texas will have full rep
resentation, while delegates will also be on
hand from Mississippi and one or two other
southern states.
The proceedings of the convention are not
likely to progress smoothly. Several dis
cordant elements will be seeking to control
it, and the projectors of the new party claim
that certain individuals are on hand for the
purpose of disorganization. Brick Pome-
roy has happened along, and has taken pains
to express his enmity to the movement. But
the Anti Monopolists state that Brick has
not influence enough left to disturb them.
With Denis Kearney the case is different
Denis is on hand with credentials to show
| that himself and the Hon. Mr.. Masbell are
| duly elected delegates. He has already laid
| down platform for the Anti MonOpolists
the gist of which is defense of the railroads
H. flnA - hi,
would reduce their employees wages The
California Anti onopolists have repudi ated
Kearney, and have sent ON documents to
show that he has no claim to represent them
in convention The sand Hotter will probably
be given an opportunity to make a speech
but it is doubtful if be gains admission as g
delegate
Regarding the organization of the conven
ton, those who have been foremost in pro
noting it claimlthat they are entirely at sea
Edwin Lee Brown, of Chicago, will call the
gathering to order, but the permanent officer
are yet to be decided on When more of thu
delegates get together it is possible there will
be q spontaneous sentiment for some promi
nent Anti Monopolist. The presiding officer i.
likely to have difficult task in managing
the warning elements which are sure to bt
present in the convention, and it will requir,
some one of experience in such matters TIL,
selection of a committee on credentials viii
have Some interest but the main struggl:
will be in the choice Of committee on reso
lutions To this body will be intrusted tn,
task of making platform broad enough fol-
the whole body of Anti Monopolists to stand
on. In the adjustment of the tariff plank 6
split Is possible, If it does not occur Oh
other disputed points A body of aggressiv,
western Anti Monopolists want an outspoke1
demand for ultimate free trade" while tn,
protectionists, in quiet way, have takel
care to have their interests represented. TIL,
constitution of the convention has, however
such an air of uncertainty about it that an,
plans laid to control it are liable to come Il
naught. Secretary Post states that he ha
, letters of a confideDtial character from prom
inent politicians of both Democratic and Re
publican faith expressing the belief tina
nothing can be expected from the old parties
and that safety is to be found from corporal
aggressions only in a new organization.
A preliminary state conference of the Hi
nois Anti-Monopolists was held at the Brigg
house The New York delegation held
meeting at the Palmer house, while the Mich
igan delegates make their headquarters at tn
City hotel, at the corner of State and Six
teenth streets The sessions of the nationa
convention, which will last two days, will b
held at Mccormick hall.
, A Relic Of Defeat.
New YORK, July 3-The Lexington, Va.
cadets have arrived here, and were received
! by the Twenty-third regiment in Brooklyn
and escorted to their quarters They bring
the flag of the One Hundred and Fifty fourtl
New York regiment, which was capture,
during the rebellion, and will informally pre-