The morning call., 1891-05-19
STILL UNDECIDED.
Caucus Of Delegates to the Ma
tiOnal Conference.
Sentiment Divided on the Question Of Or
ganizing a Third Parry.
PrOtTaCted and Lively Meeting Of the Kansas
Contingent - Attitude Of The
Labor Element.
Special to TIE syoNSy,ss CALI.

CINCINNATI, May 18.-The three or four
hundred delegates in attendance upon the
National Union Conference, which begins
in this city tomorrow. were REINFORCED
this morning by the arrival of special train
bearing ten carloads of delegates from the
Western States. There is division Of SEN
timent on the third-party question, but the
drift seems to be favorable to such action as
will insure the nomination of national
ticket In 1892.
This afternoon was devoted to a confer
ence of the various State delegations. The
Iowa delegation, among other things.
adopted resolution urging the nomination
of full independent ticket next June.
There was rather a turbulent meeting Of
the delegation from Kansas, due largely to
the fact that it is much stronger in point of
numbers than any other State, there being
nearly 500 persons here, representing seven
orgaEizato ms. viz: The Farmers Alliance,
Citizens Alliance, PEOPLES party Knights
of Labor. National Industrial Alliance, Anti
Monopoly party, and Single-tax men. There
was a large attendance, and the question
soon arose as to the basis of representa- ton
to be accorded TO the various organizations
and motion that each organization be al
lowed to select two persons to act "a COM
mitteemen from Kansas in the general con-
ference provoked a lively discussion, bnt
finally prevailed. Then there was trouble
over the selection of the delegates. Mr..
Schenault insisted that two or three men
were undertaking to name person who
should be chosen by ali the members of each
organization. motion to allow each or
ganizaton to appoint Its members was
adopted.
The Farmers Alliance then went into Sc
c.et session.
The National Reform Press Association
held two meetings to-day. There is much
speculation as to the platform. The objec-
tion to the Ocala declar ti0n is strong on
some questions. and there is a disposition 10
follow the st. Louis platform. Eastern men
are active in regard to the position to be
taken on the silver and the eight-hOur
pIanks.
A conference was held to-day with lead
ing delegates from the West and South, and
the demands of the East were fully made
known and were received with favor. The
Eastern men want this plan adopted on the
silver question That the conference favor
the restoration of silver to the position it Uc-
cupied before 1873, viz on an equality with
gold as the monetary standard of value"
Also that the eight-hOur principle shall
apply TO all firms and corporations employ
ing lab0rs in the different States of the
Union. The Eastern men announce their
determination TO make strong effort TO Sc
cure the incorporation OF these nlanks IN the
platform.
With those delegates here the opinion has
been expressed frequently that "As goes
Kansas, so will go the convention" and
much stress is laid on the fact that the Kan
sans, after lengthy and lively caucus, de-
cided late tonight TO support the OTganiZa-
49,, 6 IofI I ofc
Iowa, Nebraska and other Northern dele
gates tomorrow, however, may change the
popular expression In the caucus Congress
man Simpson and Clover endeavored TO per-
Suade Kansas that it would be better to
adOl platform containing the essential
doctrines and appoint committee of prOpa-
ga nda to determine by next spring whether
a third party would stick These Sugges-
tiOnS, however, were hOwled down.
At general caucus this afternoon there
were many lively bouts. President Wash
burn of the Northeastern Industrial Alli-
ment OF tie cities, created considerable
of fur or by telling the caucus plainly
that the industrial element did not
propose to be used as cats paws
to aid Democratic success in the next
el ectiOn. Ii n third party was TO be formed
the South and Southwest would have to
come N as well as the Northern delegates.
The industrial elements of the East, West
and Northwest were neither willing nor
desirous to draw votes out of the Republl-
can States, while at the same time tue
pseudo-alliance men of the South were
sticking to the Democratic allegiance.
Other speakers laid stress on the fact that
the Eastern peoples movement was different
from that of the Grangers, inasmuch as its
organization was nodded after those of the
old political parties, and recognized neither
secret ritual. grips nor passwords. All
this fummery would have to be abolished il
the parties rOalesced on general platform.
Senator PETER of Kansas doubts whether
| it would be wise for the independent move
| ment TO go too far at present but yet thinks
there will surely be third party in 1892.
The third party feeling is undoubtedly
| growing, and it is even said tonight that if
| a majority of the delegates decide against it,
| the minority will withdraw and declare in
favor Of it.. 1t is said an effort will be made
! to incorporate plank in the platform
| pledRing the new party, If formed, against
supporting any man for the Presidency or
| Vice-PTesdencY who has ever favored
| liquor license laws.