The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-03-02
The wRANoLE IN DETAIL.
Polk Chosen Permanent Chairman - All
Kinds of Resolutions Introduced.

Polk Chosen Permanent Chairman - All
Kinds Of Resolutions Introduced.
ST. LOUIS, Feb. 23.-"It has been said
that this convention today will be Kill
kenny fight" This was the startling
fashion in which Chairman Conner today
opened the big convention of farmers and
laborers, which was supposed to be in ses-
sion to prepare the way for nominating a
candidate for the presidency of the United
States.
Chairman Conner raspingly proceeded,
inviting any wouid-be leaders who were
not present Tor harmonious action to get
out of the way or be stepped upon. He
then announced that the committee on
credentials had been in session practically
all night and would now present partial
report.
The report of the credentials committee
recommended seating 246 delegates from
the farmers alliance. 5S F. NJ. b. A., 81
Knights of Labor, 81 National farmers
alliance. % National citizens alliance, 81
colored F. VI. B. A, % National citizens
independent alliance, so Patrons of in
dustry. Total, 677.
The farmers alliance was given twenty
five delegates at large and thirteen minor
detached organizations and individuals
were given a representation of tifty-eight.
The contest from Georgia was left with
the committee to be further wrestled
with.
Ignatius Donnelly moved an amendment
that Miss Frances Willard, Lady Somer-
set. Clara Hoffman and f. II. Ingalls, be
Ieated as delegates representing the
national women's Christian temperance
union. The amendment was greeted with
deafening cheers and both amendment
and report was adopted, going through
ike wild fire.
The threat of Chairman Corners that
"kickers' would be trampled out of sight
seemed for the time being to have given
The convention an extraordinary impetus
Tor business and nothing else and on
motion OF Donnelly it was resolved that
during recess a committee on platform be
appointed on a compromise basis. In
stead of precipitating another of the oft
fought conflicts between the method of
choosing representatives by states or by
organizations, the Donnelly plan was to
give each national organization three rep
resentatives on the platform committee
and each state one representative.
Gen. Weaver moved the election of
President Polk Of the farmers alliance as
permanent chairman of the convention.
The motion was seconded like lightning
and Temporary Chairman Conner put the
motion like another fash, declaring the
election of Mr.. Polk unanimous
In an instant, Powderly OF the Knights
OF Labor was on his feet holly protesting
that the proceeding was irregular. Pow
derry declared, however. that the knights
In the convention would vote solidlv for
Polk. Others besides Powdefly added
their protest and Nr. Polk, apparently
seeing that he had been placed in false
position, came 10 the front of the stage
and announced that If there were obiec-
tions 10 the manner Of his election he
would be willing TO relinquish the posi-
ton to which he had been chosen. An
Illinois delegate vociferously interrupted
with motion for a reconsideration OF the
election of Polk. The motion YVES
promptly carried.
DIR. Macune advocated vote by states
instead of bv organizations. The latter
method was urged by Weaver The Dom
nelly compromise of voting both by organi-
cations and states again came successfully
10 the front, however. after much con-
fusion and many parliamentary tangles.
Polk was then formally nominated by half
dozen delegates simultaneously in differ
ent parts Of the. hall. Kentucky at the
last moment slipped in with the name Of
Ben Terrell of Texas, and the voting be-
gan by roll call, organizations being called
first.
The farmers alliance Immediately
pumped 24G votes for Polk, the +. NJ.
b. A. with their ffty-three votes, and the
knights with eighty-two. The announce
ment Of the vote. of the knights, made by
Powderly personally, was greeted with
great cheering. The voting went on solid