Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1891-05-26
CINCINNATI CONVENTION.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONFERENCE
OFTHE ALLIANCE AND INDUSTRIAL
ORGANIZATIONS. ALARGE ATTEND
ANCE ANDAN INTERESTING TIME.
The Birth of a New Party.

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the convention hall when the third par
ty began to-day's proceedings. The un-
certainty as to the platform upon which
it was generally thought everything
else would hinge, ombined with the
gloomy sky, made strong contrast
with the scenes of buoyant enthusiasm
that were constantly witnessed only
twenty-four hours previous.
Colonel S. F. Norton of Chicago the
radical advocate of the third-party- on
the-spot idea, marched grimly down the
center aisle under an immense black
SLOUGH hat, looking every inch fighter
from whom trouble might be expected.
General Weaver, Jerry Simpson and
others said to be strongly opposed to
the Norton plan, were nowhere to be
seen. It was supposed that they were
stubbornly laboring to the last with
the committee on platform.
A chorus from the farmers alliance
song book and three bangs from Chair
man Cunningham's iron hammer pre-
ceded prayer by the Rev. Gilbert Del
amater, the eX-gree1back congressman.
Chairman Power of the arrangements
committee pathetically showed that he
had received but $50 and had expended
1865 in providing for the wants. A col
lection to reimburse the eXchequer was
in order and the clink of dimes, quar-
tiers and fifty cent pieces could soon be
heard on all sides as the hats were
passed around. 1t was formally an
nounced with considerable flourish To
the convention that two five dollar bills
had been contributed and later one gen
tleman on the platform wrote a check
for $40.
Jesse Harper of Illinois, the old time
greenbacker, was here introduced by
the chairman and proceeded to address
the audience which he soon had con-
vulsed over his droll stories He was
shut off by the report of the credentials
committee.
Some neat little schemes were evident
ly spoilt when the committee announced
that any delegate representing several
organizations could cast only one vote
This created quite sensation and many
significant glances We're exchanged
among the delegates. When the size
of the larger delegations were an
nounced there was loud cheering, the
figures being Indiana, 154; Kansas, 4O7:
Ohio, 81. The actual total number OF
delegates reported was LAZY. The re-
port was unanimously adopted.
When order had been restored the
report of the committee on permanent
organization was heard, and then Mrs.
Helen Cougar of Indiana was brought
forward and given an opportunity tc
express sympathy for the movement
and plead for a prohibition plank in the
conventions platform. She was gener-
ously applauded.
United States Senator PETER was at
this point introduced as permanent
chairman of the convention, and was
given a hattering reception. He de-
clared in sonorous tones that to be
called to preside over body convened
under such extraordinary circum-
stances was most distinguished honor.
The assemblage before him he pro-
claimed one of the most important ever
convened on American SOIL There,
upon the eve of an epoch more import
ant to the interests of the people OF this
country than probably any that had ever
confronted them, they had before them
a power that was crushing the people
not only in America, but in all the
world. They were divided upon some
minor matters, but, thanks be to God,
they were united on this-the money
power must be deposed. There was no
such thing now as stopping the ava
lanche. Let them only keep it, how
ever. in the middle of the road. Let
them not go astray after this meeting,
but begin to-day [cheersl to speed the
main issue.
In conclusion Mr.. PETER declared he
was not the man that defeated ingalls,.
Tt was the men and women of Kansas