The Indianapolis journal., 1886-08-06
GREENBAcKERs AT MASONIC II LII.
A Day Spent in Speech Making Over Plat
fOrm-Ticket Nominated.


numbers, however, did not dampen their desire
his own peculiar views about every question sug-
gested, and although the presiding officer mani
tested at times a nervousness lest they would
not complete their work by nightfall, he was
gracious in his rulings and automatically set
aside motions for the previous question which
were frequently offered. All told there were not
more than sixty present at the time Of the full
tide of the convention. and that was when the
platform came up for consideration. the com
mittee on organization reported DR.. H. w. Tay-
lor, of Terre Haute, rs temporary chairman and
Edward Hutchins, of this city, as secretary.
Ordinarily political conventions are anxious to
do their work with as little talk as possible, ex
cept by the coterie Of statesmen who are always
10 waiting to make themselves conspicuous be-
fore reporters. The Greenbackers, though, be-
lieve in giving everybody chance, and Dr. Tay-
lor's speech. on taking the chair, began the food
of oratory which continued without the transac-
ton of a single order of business until the noon
hour. The morning talk from this gentleman,
as well as from others, related to the financial
question, and all that that implies.
There were the usual denunciations of
official corruption, high taxation, Wall
street robbery and the sufferings of the people.
Throughout the certainty Of political surprises
this fall was dwelt upon In this it was the
purpose TO make the handful of delegates be-
lieve that mighty power to reform political,
social and economic conditions rested with
them
Some one mentioned that on Sept 1 there
would be grand gathering of Knights of Labor,
Farmers Alliance, graneers and so on, in this
city. to confer about the formation of party
that would take all these interests under Its
protection Hugh Marlin of Monroe, offered
resolution extending welcome to these
parties to the city, and pledging the
in any action that might be taken ito manumit
the people and politics from the cruel and unholy
influence of the money power" After nearly all
of the fifty or sixty delegates had chance to say
something on the resolution, it was laid on the
table, and the convention adjourned until 2
o'clock.
The committee on permanent organization re-
ported the following in the forenoon: President,
Richard Gregg Dearborn county; secretaries, E.
Hutchins, Marion; F. j. s. Robinson, Clay. and
s. L. Douglass, Marion; vice-presidents, A. NJ.
johnson, Daviess; Presley Gregg, Ohio; Hugh
Martin. Monroe; William Maxwell, Henry; James
Hiteshue. Marion; L. H. Messick, Montgomery:
Stephen Earnest, Boone; Manlius johnson, Car
roll 1t was not thought worth while to stop the
talk about the financial problem in order to adopt
the report. When the convention came together
in the afternoon an opportunity occurred to
place the permanent president in the chair He
considerably cut his remarks short, doubtless
thinking that his fellow delegates would supply
the deficiency when the committee on resolu-
tions submitted their work. He was not disap-
pointed, for that report came In directly after
ward
The preamble began with 1--WE, the Nation
alists of Indiana, earnestly call the attention OF
all who love their country and their families,
who desire the prosperity of free institutions to
the alarming conditions In which we find public
affairs to-day" The first resolution gave
gigantic fortunes "amassed not by honest efforts"
denunciatory alluson and then went on to tell
about monopolies that WELD powers which Con-
gress dare not exercise" These, the resolution
said, received no attention from the general gov
ernment, which regarded "a public debt an in
despensabe requisite under the national bank
ing system to the circulation of currency" Mort
Cages. it further said, together with debts had
become necessity on account OF an insufficiency
in the volume of currency. 1t is looked upon as
alarming that the burden Of interest ex-
ceeds the annual measure of wealth in
the entire country by $350,00O.000. condition
which, without relief must ''Soon sink laborers
and farmers of this country to a condition of
serfs and tenants" The second resolution re-
ferred to the decrease in prices of products as
causing decrease in wages, and thus strikes
are caused and general DISCRIMINATION of the
productive forces follows" In the meanwhile
the volume of currency is allowed to shrink
| through ''the retirement Of national bank notes
and boarding of revenues of the government in
the Treasury" Another resolution says
Taxes collected at one time once
year are now payable semi
| annually, and either installment is greater than
the former single annual payment. Low taxes
for number OF years met and hquidated an old
debt of several millions. but under the double
tax the debt has increased to more than Sc 000-
O00 High official fees and salaries were de-
| nounced as not in keeping with the low rates of
levying The national platform of 1884 was in
dorsed, and the late expressions of the Knights
of Labor regarding finances concurred in; but
the resolution that attracted the greatest atten-
ton was one calling on the government to loan
money to farmers and laborers at per cent,
because it let national banks have money at l
and the Pacific railways at per cent
Mr.. Allen. of Vigo. wanted this stricken out,
but after long debate. amendment reading
that the farmers and laborers should be given
the same privileges the banks and railways,
was voted down. Unlimited coinage of gold and
silver is favored, as is the paving out of the
! Treasury surplus. The temperance plank de-
manded prohibitory amendment TO the Con-
stitution, but this brought ont another tussle of
ideas. 1t resulted in the insertion of "We de-
mand the submission of prohibitory amend
ment" as an amendment to the original plank,
one that would perhaps secure few votes An
appropriation for soldiers monument is favored,
as is the paving of pensions to all old soldiers
The report was adopted.
After this came the adoption of the Martin
resolution and the decision of the convention to
meet Sept. 2. Some delegates wanted to put off
nominations until that time, but the rest would
not consent, delegate from Carroll saying, II
came here under the impression was q Green
baeker. / don't know now whether an or not
1t was decided to nominate State ticket at once
but as often as name was mentioned for any
Office along came declination. For time it
looked dubious for the ticket, because nobody
wanted to serve, but finally the following were
chosen:
For ntgovernor-E. s. Pope. of Marion.
Secretary Of s'tate5,Mai; J. B. Milroy, of Carroll
Auditor of State-Presslv Gregg of Ohio
Treasurer of State-Benjamin Perkins of vigo.
Attorney -General-John S. Bunder of Marshall
Clerk of Supreme Court-L. L. Douglass of Marion.
Judge of Supreme Court-John o. Greene of Floyd.