The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1891-06-05
The Cincinnati Convention.

conference OF representatives Of the
various farmers alliances and indus
trial organizations was called to order
in the music hall by Captain c. A.
Powers OF Terre Haute, Ind. The hall
has a seating capacity Of 4. 900. but the
crowd OF delegates and outsiders who
have been attracted there in the inter
est OF the event was large enough to
fill every portion of the structure.
sCharles Cunningham Of Arkansas was
chosen as temporary chairman.
While the main hall was filling a
rouslng meeting was in progress on the
upper floor. 1t was the state meeting
Of the delegates from Ohio. nearly 800
strong. First the Buckeye men de-
cided that they were in favor Of the
immediate organization Of third par
ty; then they put themselves on record
as wanting government loans direct to
the people, on reasonable security, at
interest not to exceed 2 per cen per
annum. Following this was a climax.
IL dSIoh lIlloS W q la uC-
clared itself, regardless Of what action
was taken by the national conference,
bound to have at once an Independent
state ticket in the field in Ohio.
Chairman Barnes was instructed to APP
point q committee of five before sun
down to draw up an address to the
people of Ohio calling an Independent
state convention and fixing a date for
it to assemble.
At , p. IN. the conference delegates
advanced to the front of the stage and
accompanied by the great organ lead
the audience in singing My Country
IT'S of Thee"
At the conclusion of the song Rev.
d. ]. Foster of Cincinnati invoked the
divine blessing. The delegates re-
peated with him the Lords prayer.
Captain Power of Indiana then read
the official call for the conference and
requested the various organizations
therein named to rise as their names
were called which was done. The ap-
pearance Of each delegation was
greeted with applause.
Charles +. Cunningham of Arkansas
was introduced as temporary chair
man, the formality of an election being
dispensed with. He made a fervid ap-
peal for harmony.
An alliance song to the tune Of
John Browns Body" was the next
feature OF the proceedings.
w. ii. Robb OF Iowa and c.. F.
Washburn of Massachusetts were made
assistant secretaries.
s. W. Chase of Kansas was selected
as sergeant-at-arms. and +. f. Eaton
of Ohio, and Lewis Belser of Nebraska,
assistants. The first real excitement
in the convention was caused by Ig-
natius Donnelly of Minnesota, with a
harmless suggestion hat to save time
the appointment of committeeman by
each state be completed in q lump,
each state naming all of its commit
teemen at once, including a member Of
the national committee. Instantly
there was an uproar and 4 dozen dele
gates were on their feet shouting for
a chance to strike the first blow in the
fight for or against the immediate Or
ganizatiOn Of a national third party.
Ii Donnelly's motion carried the con-
~vention was implicitly committed
thereby to immediate organization,
and all hope of postponing such action
was thrown to the wind.
General Weaver of Iowa was the
individual whose lungs proved the
strongest. He denounced the ropo-
sition as al attempt to pledge the con-
~vention on the sly to a most vital ac-
ton without n word of discussion.
When Donnelly finally got a chance
to edge in a word Of reply his smooth
shaven. clear cut countenance was
flushed with passion. He disclaimed
any intention to take any undue ad-
vantage.
Again there was a prolonged hub
bub, ended at last by Chairman Gun
nihgham declaring Donnelly's motion
out OF order.
The committee on resolutions was
finally appointed, with instructions to
go into session Immediately and pre-
pare a platform.
The committee on resolutions are
apparently good for an all night ses-
sion. Several of the membens are in
clined to report q kind of an ''omni-
bus BILL by Incorporating planks
touching woman's suffrage, prohibi-
ton, government control of railways
and a score more Of radical theories.
Weaver and Flower, moreover, will
~strenuously resist any reference to Il
third party, although on this they will
be largely outvoted. The majority
wants a platform short and sweet,
touching but three Or four of the prin-
cipal issues out of which has crown
the new movement.
At night the delegates, headed by q
band, marched through the principal
streets to Music hall, where addresses
were delivered by Senator PETER and
Il. W. Wilkins OF Kansas on the condi-
ton OF the agricultural and wage earn-
ing classes, and the pfed for political
action in order that redress for exist
ing abuses might be secured. The
peoples party delegates have adopted
4 national badge. Its simply an inch
square fragmentof light blue ribbon TO
be sewn on the coat lapel. The report
Of the committee on credentials will