The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-07-23
THE CRANkS IN COUNCIL.

Kate Field saw the Peoples party conyen-
ton in session at Omaha and her descrip-
ton of its constituents goes far to ex-
plain its platform. You can not summon
ignorance, imbecility and demagogy to de-
liberation and expect an outcome that
stands for wisdom born Of nationally as
simulated knowledge.
Miss Field describes the Peoples ma
tional convention as a political witches
caldron bubbIing and frothing with wo-
men delegates, scores of cranks. SUPER
animated camp meeting whoopers. sea-
soned with chaos and pand emonium. It
was far more illiterate and more vocifer-
| Gus than either the Minneapolis or Chi
cago convention; its style of physiognomy
was inferior, and its methods were no
higher than those employed in older
parties. Its chairman, Mr.. Loucks,
was utterly incompetent. lost his gavel
and announcing the robbery said ''he
was sure some villain Republican had
stolen it," The speeches were coarse in
expression, crude in thought. delivered,
however. as all such stupid speeches are.
ance and cyclonic force of gesticulaton.
There were contentious about seats; there
We're yells about everything and nothing;
there were songs and dances; there were
taunts and Kisses between the friends Of
Weaver and Gresham. While sheol seemed
| to be imminent, there staIked to the front
OF the platform tall woman waving a
| telegram on high. 1t was Mrs. Lease, the
kansan orator. al am authorized to say
| ii the nomination is rendered unanimously
| TO Benjamin Harrison be will not de-
cline" This announcement. intended as
a joke. was received as such. Howls of
| laughter resounded through the great hall,
| and Mrs. Lease retired III triumph.
Let Us thank God for the appearance Of
| Mrs. Lease, who is is q type of the desexed
woman likely TO become numerous if the
| presence of women in politics should be-
| come the rule rather than the exception
| The antics of one Mrs. Lease puts off the
| evil day when woman suffrage and women
| in politics will become universal, so il is q
matter of congratuIatlon that this old po-
| htical witch was permitted to ride her
| broomstick without restraint at Omaha
| When the platform was adopted the con-
| vention went stark. staring mad. Miss
| Field says:
| There were marches and counter-marches: :
| men climbed tables and rafters: removed ell the
| apparel that was compatible with the law; wo-
| men stood on chairs and waved their babies
when they couldn't resurrect a handkerch lei /;
| hats flaw about like bullets.
| The tribe of Gresham executed war dances:
| the triee Of Weaver nowled doubt aud defiance,
! and both sides elamored for recognition Tries,
! q dirty TREK shriesei Hawkeye, bringing as
fist within range OF the nose. OF General secre-
! tary Hayes OF the knights of Labor NOBODY
! shall charge me with being privy 70 trick," re-
! toEtei thu secretary, poua ling his own big fist
on she table. Women tore or theic Sonuets and
| flung them to mea who played bal with them
/ ana taen stuck them standards on which
were inscribed soul-stirring notices Ike these:
/ "Nrat IS Home Without "a Mortsagef'' ..Con-
| gress BE D.mnedf' ave Fight o.d Shylock in
| HIS Lair" "The Wal Stree: Twins-Grover
| and Ben"
And this assemblage, full of sound and
| idiot fury, .ot unreason and incompetency.
| was the delegated voice of what is ar
| rogantly termed the Peoples party"
The Peoples party forsooth. If they really
| represented any large number OF the
| American people the most optimistic
statesman might well despair Of the re-
! .s,hfl1