The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1891-05-23
third party on the spot.

were holding their breaths expecting no
one knows what. An adjournment was
forced. In a moment the committee on
resolutions was announced, "A tacit under
standing on both sides being that the
preliminary scrimmagc behind closed
doors was at this time the better course.
Tonight everybody fell in behind the
gorgeous brass band, for which funds
were scared up somewhere Just in the
neck of time and at the meeting in the
music hall Senator PETER again doomed
up smiling this time rs chief orator. The
prclimlnarics to the convention were
hardly less interesting than the convcn-
ton itself. The scene in the music hall
when the delegates were taking their
places was a decidedly peculiar yet al.
attractive one 1t rescmblcd nothing as
much AS Il big state fair which in
the SAINT way had suddenly cOllidcd
with a national republican or democratic
convention, the hall in its great size and
general appearance strongly reminding
ON" of the Immense structure in st.
Louis in which Grover Cleveland re
ccivcd the nomination for the presidency,
was like that building on the day Of the
nomination filled with AN animated
throng, full Of hustle aud hurried con
]fCrcncCs. Confusing announcements
were ~momcntHrily being read from the
stage and throughout the hall by half
Il dozen speakers at once, addressing
their different state delegations, while
scores Of delegates with their wives.
aunts, and other feminine relatives made
the circuit of the building staring al dec
o~ratinns and placards much az if the lat
ter were prize pumpkins or the latest
improved agricultural machinery. Among
the most active Of workers IN the hall
circulating everywhere with rcslcss in
duStry hutton-holing first one and then
another were the delegates whose faces,
hands, clothing and badges proclaimed
them city bred labor unionists. While
the main hail was rapidly filling a rous
ing meeting was in progress on the up
per floor from which stunning waves Of
applause breaking out every fcw moments
caused many persons 10 wonder If the
walls Of the building were safe. 1t was
u state meeting OI delegates from Ohio.
nearly 300 strong. First the Buckeye
men decided that they wcr" in favor of
the immediate organization Of Il
third party. This news caused II
buzz Of gossip On tn" floor Of
the big conference hall. Last
night ii similar action was taken by the
Kansas delegates So that the convention
opened with the greatest delegations in
number Enthusiastically arraycd in a fight
ON the side Of throwing down the gaunt.
let at nee to all comcrs for u national
fight to the finish. While the Ohio meet
ing was making the ~raftrrs ring, Illinois
men 10 the number Of an even hundred
were gathered in Il corner Of the top gal
IcIy and were having IN equally as lively
Il time. After \. j. Strcctcr was made
chairman of the delegation and his
staunch legislative supporter in the long
senatorial fight, II. f.. Taubrn"ck was
elected vice chairman come II surprise.
Taken for granted that Hines favored
AN immediate third party in the nation,
Col. :. +. Morton Of Chicago was put in
nomination and elected with IA llurrah ae
the Illinois member of the national com.
mission that was to be.
This radical stand seemed to put Hi
nois to the fore front in tn" battle royal
that was looked for the moment III" con
vcntion got down to business and it was
whispered about that the chief champi-
II for and against Il prompt national
organization would be the newly elected
national committeeman from Illinois,
Colonel Norton. and the recent recipient
IF a senatorial toga, Farmer PETER Of
Kansas. The latter, it was said, would
stand against the majority Of his col
leagues from Kansas would lead the fight
for ~postponcmcnt. 10 the inspiring
strains Of the Star Spanglcd banner
from the great organ and with the stars
and stripes looking down from all the
walls delegates marched down the aislcs
in little knots and took the places as
signed them, Kansas and Nebraska get
ting the most prominent places close to
tn" stage. Besides the national colurs
the only decorations were the
banners Of X. of H. assemblies
and kindred trade organizations. The
notices were three in number, painted
in bold, black letters on huge white can
vases. Over the stage was, "Unitcd We
Stand; Divided We Fail" while ON either
side Of the hall were these significant in
scriptions: "Ninc Million Mortgagrd
Homes" and "Opposition to All Monop
olics."
At exactly > p. M, the hour set for the
assembling Of the conference, Il stcntor
ian voiced delegate with a big red, white
and blue badge advanced to the front OF
the stage, and, accompanied by Tia" great
organ, led the audience in singing the
anthem, My Country, It's of Thee" and
the convention, probably the most pie.
turcsIuc and largest Of its kind known
in American history, was in full swing
At the conclusion Of the song some On.
thusiastic admirers of Congressman
"Socklcss' Simpson among the Kansas
delegates CAV" three rousing cheers fOl
him as he appeared among them and
took his seat.
Rev. ID. +. Foster Of Cincinnati now in
vokcl the throne of grace bcscrching
victory against the powers of evil in the
name of the fathcrhood Of God and the
brotherhood Of man. Delegates repeated
with him the Lords prayer" Capt. {.
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. Ap.
plausc greeting the appearance OF cX
fedcrate and confederate soldiers also
the farmers alliance which showed great
strength. Ncxtcamc the citizens alliance
and Knights of Labor; colOrcd farmers