The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-05-15
ANTi-MoNoPoLIsT CONVENTION.
Hts Assembly at ChicagO-Prelimi-
nary Proceedings and Organiza-

Hts Assembly at ChfcagO-PreIimi.
nary Proceedings and Organiza-
tiOn.
CHICAGO, May l5-Hershey hall presented
gay but crowded appearance when the ma
tional Anti-Monopolist convention, over 200
strong, assembled to nominate a candidate
for president. Several hours were consumed
in organizing the body and examining the
credentials of delegates. The call of the con-
vention was also read. Among other
things it said: "The time for words is past;
the time for action come. The call is
to all who love their country and their liber-
ties, and realize the extent to which cor
ruption has proceeded within the old parties,
and the inability of those organizations
to strangle the monster whose coils
are about US and ours. Let none
such hesitate or delay. The hour is propi-
tious, and with prompt action and wise
counsel it is possible to so harmonic and
unite the opposition to the monopolies of the
country as to secure a victory over them in
the coming presidential election"
John F. Henry chairman of the national
committee, also made an address Benjamin
F. Butler is the choice of nine -tenths of the
convention for president and no other man is
spoken Of For e-president the nomina-
ton is supposed to lie between james B.
Weaver, Congressman John H. Reagan, of
Texas, and Speaker Carlisle. Some other
names are mentioned but these are regarded
as most promising.
The various states held caucuses at the
Briggs house in the morning before the con-
vention, and each voted for the nomination
of Butler. The Michigan delegates elected
Mildman Mills, of Detroit, a mem
Der of the national committee. As
to the platform the Anti No
nopolists say they will reiterate the plat
form adopted in Chicago year ago. This
calls first for the abolition of monopolies,
then tariff for revenue, and finally absolute
free trade.
A. j. Streator, of Rock Island, who was
elected chairman, in his address referred to
the panic in New York, saying the humb-
ling of monopolists was an auspicious cir
cumstance of the opening of the con vention
A recess was taken for half an hour il
order to give committees time to report.
Pending consideration of their reports
by the committees the convention listened
to speeches by the delegates. At 5 p. m
the committee on credentials reported
twenty one states represented by delegates
and proxies with total membership o.
156, and that each delegate be allowed tt
cast one vote. The minority of the com
mittee reported a resolution that in any
state having but partial delegation, tina
delegation be allowed to cast the entir'
vote of the state, even though as in tht
case of Maryland and some others, onl,
one delegate was present. The matter wa
discussed at length, and finally th'
minority report was laid on the table ant
the majority report adopted. The COM
mittee on permanent organization reporte'
for president John F. Henry, of New
York, and making temporary secretary
permanent Pending the report from
the committee on platform the convention
adjourned till 7:30.
NIGHT SESSION.
The convention reassembled at 7:30 an
listened to an address by Mrs. Todd o
California, urging the necessity of an or
ganization of both men and women i
order to succeed. DR.. Boyd of New York
moved TO take from the table the resolu
tons of the Anti Monopoly League, pre-
sented during the afternoon and tabled
This called out rather excited debate
it being claimed that the action of th
afternoon was final. 1t was finally decid
cd to take the resolutions from the tabl
and place them on file. Charles Litchma
> of MASSACHUSETTS,, presented the majorit
report of the committee on platform.
begins as follows:
The Anti Monopoly organization of tn
United States, in convention assembled
! declares:
/. That labor and capital should b
allies not enemies and we demand justic
for both by protecting the rights of all q
against the privileges of the few.
2. That corporations. the creatures G
| law, should be controlled by the law.