Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-05-21
A GREAT MEETING.
The National Union Conference
Opens at Cincinnati.
Many and Diverse Interests Are Rep
resented ~ The Outcome a
Matter of Conjecture.
A BIG CONVENTION.


CINCINNATI, May 2O.-The national
union conference of representatives of
the various farmers alliances and in
dustrial organizations was called to
order at $50 o'clock p m. in
the music hall by Capt C. A. Powers,
of Terre Haute, Ind. The hall has
seating capacity of 1000, but the crowd
of delegates and outsiders was large
enough to fill every portion of the struc-
ture. Charles Cunningham, of Arkan-
sas, was chosen temporary chairman.
The scene was an inspiring one. The
American flag was every where--over
the chairman's table, ON the big organ,
festooned around the galleries and
decorating the portals-but the
red flags that the socialist organiza-
ton of the city had demanded should
be hung up were nowhere to be seen.
There were only three notices. One
the old familiar United We Stand, Di-
vided We FALL" another, Mine Million
Mortgaged Homes and third, ''Op-
position to All Monopolies Inter
spersed with these were banners of To-
cal assemblies of the Knights of La
Dor
The leaders of the various movements
were readily recognized as they entered
the hall and enthusiastically greeted.
Jerry Simpson and his four al
lance colleagues in congress entered
the hall arm in arm, and as soon as
they were espied the vast audience
rose to its feet and filled the air with
shouts. Equally cordial was the recep-
ton accorded to A. j. Streeter, who
came in with the faithful Taubeneck;
to Senator PETER, Congressman Liv-
ingstone and Ignatius Donnelly, and
to John p. ST. John, the prohibitionist
leader.
When the convention was called to
order all joined in singing America. !"
Rev d. II. Foster, of Cincinnati, now
invoked the throne of grace, beseech-
ing victory against the powers of evil
in the name of the Fatherhood of God
and the brotherhood of man. The del
egates repeated with him the Lords
Prayer
Capt. Power of Indiana, then read the
official call for this conference and re-
quested the various organizations there
called, which wasdore. applause greet
ing the appearance of ex-federal and
confederate soldiers, also the Farmers
Alliance. which showed great strength.
Next came the Citizens Alliance and
the Knights of Labor, The Colored
Farmers Alliance, which Mr.. Power
stated were million strong, and ever
ready to do battle. Hearty applause
greeted each
There nave been big conventions of
greenbackers and advocates of other
theories in the past, but this is with
out question the largest assemblage of
representatives of the producing classes
ever held in the country. They are
men of all shades of political
opinion and of various occupations,
who think that the affairs of the gov
eminent are being run in the interest of
the few as against the many. The
very magnitude of the conference
makes harmonious action seeming
ly impossible. There is hardly
an ism" unrepresented and Svery
one of the 1000 delegates has
a scheme which he thinks will be a
point only are all of the delegates
agreed, and that is that things are not
as they should be and that something
must be done to protect the masses
from the cormorants of monopoly
The various states held meetings at
Music hall at 10 o'clock a. m. The at
tendance was large and the business
was chiefly of routine character. FL.
Breittenstein, of Laramie, Wyo., was
made chairman of the Wyoming dele
cation and w. c. Alldradge chairman
of the Missouri delegation. The Ocala
demand was adopted as the choice of
Missouri for platform.
G. Z. Washburn was selected for
chairman of the Massachusetts contin-
gent Action was harmonious The
delegates are favorable to third party
but insist upon action which will recog-
nize the claims of wage-workers in the
cities.
South Dakota-Chairman,T T. NJ. Stew
art The st. Louis platform was IA
vored by the delegates fifteen
in number. 1t was the sense of the
delegation that no independent party
should be formed at this conference,
but that action should be taken looking
to such a course for 1892.
Pennsylvania-S. M. Smith, chair
man. The sentiment of a majority OF
the delegates is said to be favorable to
a new party. Ten delegates present.
Tennessee-G. w. J. Kay, chairman
They favor a third party; six delegates.
California;. G. Hinckley, chair
man. Unanimously in favor Of new
party. Two delegates. Mr.. Hinckley
representing the nationalists and H. c.
Dillon the Farmers Alliance.
Louisiana Il ]. Mills, chairman.
Two delegates. Favor Ocala and St
Louis demands and third party.
Kansas F. Willis, chairman Ma
jority favor a new organization, but
there is some opposition to any radical
action a. 4t;e firm