Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-05-21

Il
either side of the hall were these signifi
cant inscriptions: mine Million Mort
gagged Homes" and Opposition to Al
Monopolies."
At exactly 2 p. m, the hour set fol
assembling the conference, a stentoriar
voiced delegate with a big red, white
and blue banner advanced and accom-
panied by the organ led the audience il
singing The anthem ''My Country it's Of
Thee" and the convention-probably
the most picturesque and largest of it,
kind known in American history-wa'
in full swing.
At the conclusion of the song some
enthusiastic admirers of Congressman
Simpson among the Kansas delegates
gave three rousing cheers for him as he
appeared and took seat.
- Rev. E. P. Foster, of Cincinnati, in
voked the throne of grace, beseeching
victory against the powers of evil il
the name of the Fatherhood of God and
the brotherhood of man. The delegates
repeated with him the Lords prayer.
Capt c. A. Power, of Indiana, then
read the official call for this conference
and requested the various organizations
therein named to rise as their names
were called, which was done, applause
meeting the appearance of ex-federal
and eX-confederate soldiers, also the
Farmers Alliance, which showed great
strength. Next came the Citizens ALI
ance and the Knights of Labor, the
colored Farmers Alliance, which Mr..
Power stated was 1000, 900 strong and
ever ready to do battle. Hearty ap-
plause greeted each. There was a
cheer when the words National Union
conference" were read
Mr.. Wrightmire, of Kansas, then
read the supplemental call issued from
Topeka in February last.
At this junction Hon. Charles Cum
ningham, of Arkansas, was introduced
as temporary chairman, the formality
of an election being dispensed with.
He called the attention of the conven-
ton to the two lovers who so warmly
discussed what would be the name of
their first infant that the quarrel re-
suited in breaking off the engagement
and there was no infant to name.
[Great applause. He closed with a
fervid appeal for harmony.
An alliance song to the tune of "John
Browns Body" was the next feature,
and Chairman Cunningham, in trying
to quiet the cheering that followed, dis
covered that the gavel which had been
provided for him was a massive iron
hammer He used it with vigorous eff
feet, much to the amusement of the
delegates
o. j. Jones, of Missouri, was chosen
temporary secretary, and w. II. Robb,
of Iowa, and G. F. Washburn, of Massa-
chusetts, were made assistant secre-
taries. S. w. Chase, of Kansas, was
selected for sergeant-at-arms, and E. E
Oakland, of Ohio, and Lewis Belzer, of
Nebraska, assistants.
A lively wrangle here ensued as to
whether a roll should be called for
members of the committee or the vari-
Gus national organizations named on
the call should make the nominations
of the 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.
Everything was sailing along in sere-
nifty with roll call following roll call on
the appointment of committees when
Ignatius Donnelly quietly arose and
moved that to save time the appoint
ment of committeeman by each state
be completed in lump, each state
nominating all its committeeman at
once, including the members of the
national committee.
Instantly there was an uproar and
dozens of delegates were on their feet
shouting for chance to strike the first
blow for or against the immediate or
ganization of a national third party.
If Donnelly's motion was carried the
convention was implicitly committed
thereby to the immediate organization
and all hope of postponing such action
was thrown to the winds.
Gen. G. B. Weaver, of Iowa, was the
individual whose lungs proved the
strongest. Striding down the aisle he
hotly denounced the latter's PROPOSE
ton as an attempt to pledge the con-
vention on the sly to the most vital
action without one word of discussion.
Donnelly, bolt upright, could be seen
among the Minnesota delegation, his
blue eyes flashing, while Weaver
He restrained himself with
difficulty under the lashing of the Iowa
man, and when he finally got chance
to edge in word of reply his smooth
shaven, clear cut countenance was
flushed with passion. He disclaimed
any intention to take an undue ad-
vantage.
Again there was prolonged hubbub,
ended at last by the bald headed, silver
bearded chairman dexterously putting
off for the time being the inevitable
struggle by declaring Donnelly's motion
out of order
A motion to adjourn until p. m. did
not prevail, and the following names
were adopted as members of the COM
mittee on resolutions, with instructions
to go into session and prepare the con-
vention's platform: Arkansas, J. o.
Bush; California, II. E. Dillon; Colo
RADIO, E. ]. Curtis; Connecticut Robert
Spune; South Dakota, Charles NJ. Fee;
District of Columbia, D. A. Blandi
Georgia, D. B. Post; Illinois, James w.
Dill; Indiana, NJ c. Rankin; Iowa,
J. r. Weaver; Kansas, j. g. Otis; Ken
lucky, L. D. Dustin; Maine, w. D.
Smith; Massachusetts,, w. A. Green;
Michigan, Mrs S. E. V. Mercy; Mime
sofa, L Donnelly; Missouri, Leverett
Leonard; Montana, ]. II. Powers; New
York. William Henv: Ohio. John SeitZ: