The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-01-28
The time OUT Of JOINT
And These Are the Ones Who Think
They We're Born to Set
1t Right. #
Representatives of Various Politi-
cal Reform Movements in ses-
sion in Chicago.
Difficulty in Putting Tpg1ther the PIanks
Of Their Platform-An Address
to tho People.

CHICAGO, Jan. 27.--To-day the nation al
conference Of representatives Of the various
political reform movements now existent in
this country, including prohibitionists.
farmers, laborers, greenbackers, general
reformers, etc. was held in secret session.
Miss Frances Il. Willard presided and stated
the object of the conference to be to devise
ways and means of electinR president Of
the United States who will with ono blow
kill the rum traffic. Ignatius Donnelly was
down for the opening speech, but failed TO
appear. The idea is to unite all Of these
elements on one candidate for the presi-
dency in the belief that they outnnmber
either of the regular parties. It was
decided that representatives of various
movements hold separate meetings and de-
oide upon planks which they would insist
on, respectively, in the joint platform.
When the meeting reassembied and reports
were made, it was found that many things
insisted on by one party would not be
tolerated by another. The members Of
the peoples party labored in gen
eral meeting and in the committee for
the adoption Of q plank demand
ing Hthat exclusive importation, manufac-
ture and sale Of Intoxicating liquors be
conducted by the government or state at
cost. under conditions ana restrictions
which may be adopted by various states.
Their work WAS largely Intellectual, as the
plank found no place in the address
brought in BY tie committee to be pre-
sented to the coming convention of the
peoples party. Ignatius Donnelly, III. u.
Taubeneck and others have expressed the
opinion that the address in it's present form
will not be acceptable to the peoples party.
They say the prohibition clause should be
modified, so as to save to foreigners the
idea of individual rights in the matter Of
beer drinking.
The address referred to makes the fol-
lowing suggestions to the people of the
United States: '.We favor the consolidation
Of all political elements in behalf OF these
issues. Money should be issued by the
general government without the interven-
ton of private institutions, in sufficient
quantity to carry on the business of the
country, and such money should be full
legal tender for all public and private
debts. ."rhe saloon is the great enemy Of
| reforms, and VIC denounce its pefnicious
influence and demand its suppression.''
The address also favors government con-
troll of railroads, telegraph and telephone
companies, opposes speculation in land
and alien ownership of the same; demands
reasonable limitation of the amount of
land that can be owned by any corporation
or individual, and favora municipal suf-
frage for women, with an educational quail
ification. It is signed by Ignatius Donnelly,
Francis E. Willard, Gen. J. B. Weaver, E.
j. Wheeler, G.. M. Miller. E. Evans and II.
s. Taylor.
In the Farmers alliance meeting to. day
most of the time was occupied in appoint
mont of committees and the settlement of
lively dispute over the seating of seven
more delegates from Nebraska than the
constitution was said to permit. The Iowa
delegation particularly opposed the admis-
sion of additional Nebraskans. The
Nebraska men finally triumphed by guar
anteeing al delinquent dues. The session
continues tomorrow and probably the day
after.