The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-20
A THIRD PARTY TUSSLE.
IGNATIUS DONNELLY NEARLY
SPLITS TIE CONVENTION.

- SPLITS TIE CONVENTION.
1 Harmless Looking Little Resolution
That Implied the Organization of a
New Party Without ANY Debate
Proves a Firebrand-A Committee
Appointed to Draw Up the Platform
Only Preliminary Work Done.
CINCINNATI. o., May 19.-At exactly 2
o'clock p M, the hour set for the assem-
bling Of the national labor conference, a
stentorian-voiced delegate with big red,
white and blue badge advanced to the
front of the stage in Music hall, and, ac-
companied by the great organ, led the
audience in singing, my Country, 'Tis of
Thee,p and the convention. probably the
most picturesque and largest of its kind
known in American history, was in full
swing. At the conclusion of the song some
enthusiastic admirers of Congressman Simp-
son among the Kansas delegates gave three
rousing cheers for him as he appeared
among them and took seat.
Rev. D. T. Foster of Cincinnati now in
yoked the throne Of grace, beseeching vic
tory against the powers of evil in the name
of the fatherhood of God and the brother
hood Of man. The delegates repeated with
him the Lords prayer.
CALL OF THE ROLL.
Capt c. A. Power Of Indiana then read
the official call for this conference, and re-
ouested the various organizations therein
named to rise as their names were called,
which was done, applause greeting the ap-
pearanoe Of the ex-federal and confederate
soldiers. and also the farmers alliance,
avf
the citizens alliance, and Knights Of Labor,
the colored farmers alliance, which Capt
Power stated were a million strong and
ever ready to do battle Hearty applause
greeted each. There was cheer when the
words national union conference" were
read.
Mr.. Rightmoir of Kansas then read the
supplemental call issued from Topeka in
February last.
STORY THAT MADE THEM LAUGH.
At this juncture Hon. Charles E. Cum
ningham of Arkansas was introduced as
temporary chairman, the formality of an
election being dispensed with. He called
the attention Of the convention to two
lovers who so warmly discussed what would
be the name Of their first infant that the
quarrel resulted in the breaking off of the
engagement, and there was no infant TO
name. [Great laughter.l Chairman Cum
ningham closed with q fervid appeal for
harmony.
An alliance song to the tune Of John
Browns Body, was the next feature of the
proceedings, and Chairman Cunningham, in
trying to quiet the cheering which followed,
discovered that the Ravel which had been
provided for him was massive iron ham>
mer. he used it with vigorous effect, much
to the amusement of the delegates.
CHOOSING OFFICERS.
0. B. Jones of Missouri was chosen tenn
porary secretary. w. Fl. Robb of Iowa
and g. F. Washburne of Massachusetts
were made assistant secretaries. s. W.
Chase of Kansas was selected for sergeant
alarms and e. Z. Eaton of Ohio and
Lamar Belzer of Nebraska assistants. A
lvely wraDgle here ensued as to whether
the states should be called for members of
the committees or whether the various
national organizations named in the call
make the nominations of committeeman
Mr. Oakland of Kentucky led the fight
against the first plan, but was finally beaten
after the conference had mixed itself in a
seemingly inextricable tangle of amend
ments, points of order and questions Of
privilege. AT 3:20 o'clock .. m. the conven-
tion had only completed one of its commit
tees, that on credentials. The great size
OF the hall, and the large number of dele
gates, about 1900, with several speakers at
times simultaneously occupying the floor,
made the progress very slow, but the good
nature and the persistence Of both the dele
gates and the $500 spectators present
seemed inexhaustible. and the work went on
with wonderfully few people leaving the
hall.
THE FIRST EXCITEMENT
The first real excitement in the conven-
tlon was caused by Ignatius Donnelly of
minnesota. He did it with harmless look.
Ing little motion that, to save time, the ap-
pointment Of committeeman in each state
oe completed in lump, each state naming
al OF Its committeeman at once, includ-
Ing the member of the national
committee. Instantly there was an
uproar, and dozens of delegates
we're on their feet shouting for chance to
strike the first blow in the fight for or
against the immediate organization of a
national third party. If Mr.. Donnelly's
motion was carried the convention was i'm
Phedly committed thereby to immediate
organization, and all hope of postponinR
sueh action was thrown to the winds.
WEAVER GETS THE FLOOR.
Gen. j, B. Weaver of Iowa was the indi.
Hidual whose lungs proved the strongest
oTlolng down the aisle, his white mus
tac9e quivering with pugnacity, he pointed
ms long arm at Donnelly and hotly de.
A o--SSu Iue laCter's proposition as an at
tempt TO pledge the convention on the sly
70 70 most vital action without one word OF
discussion.
When Mr.. Donnelly finally got chance
SHeuse IN word of reply his smooth shaven
Uiear CUT countenance was flushed with pas
s,on. he dlsclaimed any intention to take
IN undue advantage.
again there was a prolonged hubbub
SSuaed at last by Chairman Cunningham
ese1Ierously putting off for the time being
H fle inevitable struggle by declaring Mr.
sJEGjuueliys motion out of order. While the
oanhlsn was in progress not a few bets
ere oHered among the spectators that the
sonVentlon would get no further, but would
'pNt at the very outset.
THE COMMITTEE ON PLATFORM.
A. motion to adjourn until o'clock D. m.
,n ual not prevail, and the following names
"eIe adopted as members Of the committee
onresolutlons, VI with instructions to 20 into
s5ssion immediately and prepare the con-
"o4uon's platform: Arkansas, j. o. Bush
CCahiornla, Ii. E. Dillon; Colorado. +. @.
uLus; Connecticut Robert Shine; South
DDaAota, G. M. Fee; District Of Columbia,
II, a. Bland; Georgia, ID. c. Post;
i''lnols, James NJ. Dill: Indiana, NJ. C. Ran
tu Iowa, j. B. Weaver; Kansas, J. G. Otis;
st.entucky, l.. ID. Dustin; Maine. w. ID.
.hlh Massachusetts, NJ. A. Green; Michi-
faui Mrs :. =. V. Emery: Minnesota,
ishatlus Donnelly; Missouri, I.svsrett
ssG'1hrdi Nebraska, j. II. Powers; Now