Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-06-06
ANTI.MON0POLlSTS.

Meeting of the National Convention-Ben
Butler Nominated for President-The
Platform.
CHICAGO, May 15.-The National Anti.
Monopoly Convention was held in Hershey
Hall in this city yesterday.
John +. Henry, Chairman of the Nation
al Committee, called the convention toorder,
and congratulated the delegates of the Anti
Monopolist party on assembling for the
first time to nominate a President of the
United States. He also called attention to
the fact that at the time of meeting a fiuan-
cial panic, second only to that of Black
Friday, was being felt in New York. He
nominated for temporary Chairman Alison
j. Streeter, of Illinois, who was unan-
imously chosen. B. F. Shively, of Indiana,
and N. G. Kilmer, of New York, were
chosen temporary Secretaries. The roll of
States was called, and each delegation sub
mitted names of persons to serve on Com
mittees on Credentials, Organization and
Platform, and for Vice-Presidents of the
convention.
Nh. Post, of Illinois, reported that the
Committee on Credentials had found that
there were 1853 delegates entitled to seats,
representing twenty States and the District
of Columbia. The States were Illinois, In
diana, Iowa, California, Oregon, Missouri,
Michigan, Maine, Nebraska, New York,
Wisconsin, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mary
land, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Colo
yado, Minnesota, Mississippi and New
Jersey.
The Committee on Organization recon-
mended that John 4. Henry, of New York,
be permanent Chairman, and that the tenn
porary Secretaries be made permanent. This
was done, and MI. Henry briefly addressed
the convention.
Upon reassembling in the evening the
convention was addressed by Mrs. Marion
Todd, of California.
The platform, as reported by the majority
of the committee, was in substance as fol-
lows:
The Anti-Monopoly organization Of the
United States in convention assembled de-
clares that labor and capital hould be allies,
not enemies; that corporatiens, the creatures
there should be the greatest reduction practi-
cable in public expenses. that there shall be
enacted and executed si.s ID; Just laws assuring
merco among States, including trans
P Efop ef nf m!45;ney, and 10 the the e transH 4hat.
the controlling influence of m~onopolies may
be removed; that Bureaus of Labor Statis-
tics, State and National, should be established;
that the National. Eight-hour law should
tie enforced; that the importation of foreign
labor under contract be made illegal; that an
Interstate Commerce bill should be passed;
that the bonded debt should be paid as it falls
due; that United States Senators should he
elected directly by the people: thatth income
tax should be graduated; that the tariff should
be so regulated us to fall as iight as possible on
necessaries; that the present tariff should be
reformed because it is oppressive, and in the
interest of monopolies, and not Of labor; that
corporations; that grants already made be
a%nnulled wherever the conditions have not
been strictly complied with; that legislation
has disseminated against agriculture, which
bears the brunt of taxation, and farmers and
wage workers should join the Autobiography
movement.
The minority report was a recommenda-
ton that the platform adopted July 4, 1883,
be readopted. Thatplatform was read.
On motion of MI. Streeter the previous
question was ordered on the adoption of the
majority report. This was ordered, and the
report was adopted by so yeas to 20 nays.
On motion of Mr.. Croker, Mrs. Marian
Todd, of California, was honored with the
| privilege of naming to the convention a
! candidate to be nominated for President.
1t was decided to proceed to nominations.
Thereupon State Senator John G. Boyd, Of
New York, tried to get in a resolution as a
substitute for the motion just passed. He
was told that it would not be in order. He
tried in every way to get inI his reso-
luton, but unsuccessfully. He insisted
OIL holding the floor, and refused to sit down
when ordered to do sc. A great shout
temper. shook his fist in the face of the
Chairman, and shouted out that he de-
nounced and defed the convention, and
said that, as Anti-Monopolists, the whole
crowd were frauds. He then gathered I'D
his coat and hat and left the hall, followed
amid Kisses by j. II. George, of the Dis
trict of Columbia, and Mr.. M%edderburn, of
Maryland.
Mrs. Todd was then given the floor, and
aid that she deemed it a great honor to be
designated to request the convention to
nominate Benjamin +. Butler fer the Presi-
dency. [Great applause.] The interests of
the country and of the whole people were
suffering under the oppression of monopoly.
Benjamin I. Butler was opposed to monop-
olies, was in favor of woman's suffrage, a
defender of rights and all the interests of
the people. for which reasen she was proud
to name him. John Rooney, of New York,
law partner OF Roger A. Pryor, in a neat
speech also nominated Butler. The nomi-
nation of Butler was seconded by j. II.
Keeugh, of New York, T.. w. Fogg, of
Michigan. Phocion Howard and others. Mr..
Blanchard, of Vermont, nominated General
, Weaver, That gentleman WA present and
authorized the Chairman to say that he de.
clined the honor. MI. Sclilling, of Wis
consin, wanted to know If Butler would
stick by the Anti M onopolisis, and was as
sured by Mr.. Litchfeld, of Massachusetts,
that he would.
James Barude, OF Nebraska, nominated
Judge Thurman, of Ohio. The call OF
States was then had with the following re.
suit: Butler, 1874; Thurman, S; Salon
Chase, of Maine, l. Mrs. Todd, of Cali
fornia, moved that the nomination of Butler
be made unanimous, and it was done, and
followed up with three roaring cheers.
1t was decided to leave the nomination OF
Vice President to the National Committee
when selected. The members of the Ma
tional Committee from the various States
were chosen, j. F. Henry reelected Chair
man of the National organization. and the
convention adjourned after providing fol
notification to Butler of his nomination.
Statistics Of the Knights Of Honor.
CHICAGO, May 15.-At the second days