The Indianapolis journal., 1892-11-18
THE FIGHT In THE ALLIANCE
II Has Resolved into a Struggle for
Populist or Democratic Supremacy.
Macune Backed by the Bourbons for Presi-
dent and Loucks by the Third -Psrtyites-
A Railroad Scheme-Knights of Labor.

MEMPHIS, Tenn, Nov. 1.-THE members
of the National Farmers Alliance aud In.
dustrial Union held their sessions to-day
under we'll guarded doors. but 1t fs given
ont TINT the meeting was q stormy one.
Demands were discussed and formulated,
giving to the world the views and objects
OF the order. Around the corridors of the
Gayoso Hotel the fight was continued after
adjournment and the delegates became so
much exercised that the reporters found
no difficulty in obtaining informa-
tion. The election Of president
is the bone of contention, because,
aside from the honors and emoluments in
cdent to the position. the selection of this
officer will settle the political features of
the organization for some time to come.
Macune and Loucks are leading the fac
tions. the former Democrat, the latter
third partyite. and both emphatically non-
partisan, according to their own state
ments. Last night Loucks and the third
Macune's stock rose In response to the ener-
getic work of j. +. Tillman. who
ls charged with having been in the conf
dence of the national Democratic execu-
workers was forcible. Delegate Beck. of
Alabama, was outspoken in bis criticisms
of Taubeneck, who he claimed was trying
to shape the policy of the Alliance. while
not q member of the order. Ben Terrell. of
Texas. heretofore liberal to the verge of
independence, is stanch Democrat
again, and working teeth and toe-nail for
Maonne. The case stands thus: Loucks's
friends mean the third party: Macune's
the Democratic party; while both readily
partisanship. The struggle is so fierce that
delegate Z. III. Baldwin, of Joliet. ILL.,, said
to q reporter, as he entered the convention
hall at $50 tonight: The battle may not
both Macune and Loucks will be shelved
and q compromise man selected. The
election of either of these means division
in the ranks"
the Farmers Alliance and Industrial
Union to-day Is one for a railroad from
British America to the gulf through Ne
braska, Kansas or Missouri, Indian Terri
tory and Texas to some point on the gulf.
chartered by the national government,
and the people of each State along the line
are expected to help. The States
will be asked to donate all convict
labor not actually employed in penIten-
tIaries to the construction. 1t is estimated
that the whole line can be built for Sl5, ,0c0
mile. 1t is expected to demonstrate by
this experiment that railroads can be built
and operated cheaper Dy State or govern
tions. A bill asking Congress to charter
the road is now being drawn by Delegate
Sledge. of Texas.
At $50 O'Clock this evening President
Loucks called the convention to order
again and said that nominations for off,
GERS were in order and called Mann Page,
gresham Otis. of Of % Kansas. plaSed
Loncks in nomination for president
and Gen. A. M. West of Mis-
sissipp. nominated Mr.. Macune. In
former conventions where q delegate from
q State was absent the others were per-
mitted 10 cast the entire vote of that State.
The ruling of the Chair was asked on this
point, and he ruled that delegate was en-.
Chair was appealed from, but two thirds
did not vote to reverse his rul-
ing. motion to adjourn was made
and he refused to entertain it.
An exciting scene ensued. and pandemo-
mum reIened until midnight. and at that
hour there was no prospect of a solution of
the trouble. Page is q supporter of Loucks,
and the delegate from Florida who brought
up the question Is q friend of Maoune
Several delegates were on the point of
coming to blows At this hour, lilo A. NJ,
no one can tell what the outcome of the
fight will be.
The Reform Press Association concluded
its labors to-day. The features of the day
were the appointments of a bureau to take
matter for the future the bureau to act
under the national organization of the
Farmers Alliance. The next meeting will
be held in Washington. Feb. %, when ex-
curslons will be run from ST. Louis and
Cincinnati There were 800 reform papers
during the campaign, 7O0 Of which will con-
tinue in existence.