The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-05-27
The Cincinnati Convention,

The convention of farmers and industrial
organizations at Cincinnati, on Tuesday and
Wednesday of last week, was attended by
large crowd of delegates, and the hall in
which the convention was held was filled
to its utmost capacity at all the sessions
The significant thing about the gathering
was that it committed itself to the launch.
ing of a new party, to be known as the
peoples party of the United States" The
convention was practically unanimous in
taking this step. Captain G. A. Powers of
Terre Haute, Ind, called to order, and
Charles Cunningham of Arkansas was
elected temporary chairman. The proceed
ings were opened with the singing OF "My
Country It's of Thee" Rev. r. T. Foster
of Cincinnati offered prayer, the convention
joining in repeating the Lords Prayer. The
names of members of the committee on
resolutions, one from each state, were then
adopted. The New England members were:
Maine, W. ID. Smith Massachusetts, Mason
A. Green; Connecticut, Robert Shine;
Rhode Island, B. Balhest. Ignatins Don
nelly and General j. B. Weaver also were
Senator PETER and others, was held in the
evening.
On Wednesday the convention assembled
at ten o'clock. Rev. DR.. Gilbert Delamatyre
offered prayer, which was punctuated by
numerous amens" from the audience.
The report of the committee on credentials
showed that thirty-four states and terri
tories were represented by 1417 delegates
having proper credentials. Kansas headed
the list with Ali, Ohio second with 3l7,
Indiana had 1874 Illinois 8S, Kentucky 50.
Nebraska 81, Texas 26, Minnesota 30, Wis
consin 81, Missouri 49, Vermont was not rep-
resented. United States Senator PETER
was at this point introduced as permanent
chairman of the convention and was given
tattering reception A long debate was
occasioned by the report of the committee
on rules and order, mainly directed to the
question whether each state should vote as
unit or whether each delegate should be
entitled to voice. The latter method was
decided upon by large majority, the re-
suit being victory for the third party men.
A letter from President Polk of the farmers
be taken on the question of a third party.
While the discussion was going on, Ignatius
Donnelly, chairman of the committee on
resolutions, took the rostrum and announced
that the committee was unit for third
party. The announcement was greeted
with great enthusiasm. At this point Davis
OF Texas, lank six-footer in light suit,
cd
Donnelly's speech by long, weird whoop
OF exultation, was conducted to the plat
form and to the intense delight of the con-
vention repeated the unearthly Indian-like
trill. Then he announced himself as an ex-
confederate and declared himself for the
platform-every plank and every ressu-
ton. An extraordinary spectacle followed.
Wadsworth of Indiana, an ex-Union sol.
der, rushed up to ex-Confederate Davis in
full view of the convention, and the two
one-time mortal foes grasped hands II.
w. Humphrey of Texas, organizer of the
colored alliance which numbers over a half
million members, seized with the inspira.
ton of the moment, suddenly Joined the
ex-soldiers, and, amid a perfect cyclone of
of the platform as read. The convention
went wild, the delegates mounting tables
and chairs and shouting and yelling like
Comanehes. A portion of the convention
in thunderous chorus sang to the tune of
Good-by, my lover, goodby," the words
Goodbye, old parties, goodbye" and then
the Doxology. In the forest of flags and
state banners that had gathered with their
bearers around the trio, a Kansas man on
the shoulders of two colleagues standing on
chairs, raised the Kansas banner and held
it aloft just above all the others. The tu-
multi lasted full quarter of an hour, till it
ceased from the sheer exhaustion of the
delegates. After speeches the platform
proper was adopted. A California delegate
then offered a prohibition plank, which
was overwhelmingly defeated. The supple
mentary resolutions also were adopted.
1t was decided that the national committee
consist of three members from each state.
ii. q. Taubenech of Illinois was elected
chairman of the committee, after which the
convention adjourned.
The platform adopted contains planks en-
dorsing the following principles; That ma
tional banks be abolished as banks of issue
and that legal tender treasury notes be is
sued; that such notes be loaned TO the peo
pie at not more than two per cent per year
upon non -perishable products and upon real
estate; that the coinage of silver be free and
unlimited; that the alien ownership of land
be prohibited, and that land owned by cor
porations and not in actual use be reclaimed
by the government that revenues be limited
to the expenses of the government; that
system of graduated income tax be adopted ;
that means Of communication and trans
portation be under rigid national control
and, If that does not remove abuses, that
the government assume possession; that