Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-03-03

Ah1rll ctCluch tuc OHiJ pDoslDlt pro-
gramme. A ''blue and the gray" mass
meeting, however, into which the con-
vention resolved itself before graphing
with the platform, temporarily poured |
oil on the troubled waters. Commodore
Van de WORT of Nebraska, for the
Union veterans, pledged President Polk
for the old Confederate soldiers in |
attendance that they would join hands |
70 bury sectional hate, and the treaty, if |
such 1t might be termed, was ratified in |
speeches by ex-senator Van Wyck of |
Nebraska, and Ben Terrill OF Texas.
The blue and gray incident ended |
ipicturesquely by delegate on the plat
form putting up big American flag
and waving its folds high in front Of
the assemblage. After wrangling over
few minor points lof order the plat
form was introduced and the real fight
of the day began.
In long and mohotonous preamble
abe platform recites the many grievances
and unjust burdens under which its
trainers imagine they and the country
at large are suffering, saying that they
meet "in the midst of nation brought
10 the verge of moral, political and ma
rterial ruin" the people of which are de-
moralized.
1GhANoo W t'LAIfOhM.
Among the principal demands" made
by the platform are free and unlimited
coinage of silver, a national currency,
safe, sound and flexible, issued by the
government only, a full legal tender for
all debts, as set forth in the Farmers
Alliance sub-treasury plan, graduated
Income tax, that the amount of circulate
ing medium be speedily increased to not
= less than $50 per capita and that postal
savings banks be established by the gov
eminent for the safe deposit of the earn
ings of the people and to facilitate ex-
change.
The subcommittee on the land plank
Ssts of the opinion that Gland should
.sot be-monopolized for speculative pur-
poses, and alien ownership of land
should be prohibited. All lands now
held by railroads and other corporations
in excess of their actual needs, and all
lands now owned by aliens, should be
reclaimed by the government and held
for actual settlers only" 1t is also re-
commended that the government own
!, and operate the railroad and telegraph
end telephone systems of the country.
yThe widest excitement occurred after
ne reading of the platform. One of the
Inspected vampires of the corpora
ions" on the floor attempted to edge in
motion amending the document and
almost instantly there was riot.
II was requested by o delegation to
make that notion" stubbornly returned
the delegate, who proved to be Fred
. Wayne, an ex-member of the Missouri
Legislature, but he was forcibly elected.
o On motion of Mr.. Powderly the dele
wltes, without taking vote on the
yaoption of the platform, adjourned for
mo hours.
cal FIGHT FOR PROHIBITION.
Ala fight for the recognition of the pro-
abbitian issue in the platform was started
Ssaimediately upon the reassembling oft the
Convention Miss Frances Willard pre-.
sented minority report, which she
moved be adopted Immediately as an
amendment to the majority report The
minority report favored woman suffrage
and demanded the suppression of the
liquor traffic" A strong speech oppos,
ing dragging in outside issues by A.
S. Mann Of Florida, was answered by
Miss Willard in spirited address.
Congressman Jerry Simpson declared
himself satisfied with the majority re-
port. They must cure poverty before
they could Int temperance. Upon motor
\ of Jerry Simpson to lay the minority re-
Y port upon the table viva voce vote wa,
\taken, showing the convention spill
talmost evenly for and against prohibi
tion plank.
Coached by Mr.. Powderly, Miss Emma
Curtis of Colorado, a handsome young
woman with swapping black eyes and
fiashing Gainsborough hat, captured
the floor and proposed the following
substitute:
awe demand that the question o
universal suffrage be submitted to thu
legislatures of the different states ant
territories for favorable action"
Miss Curtis made a clever speech
Jerry Simpson shouted "She has SOLVED
the probleml" and some one immedi
ately demanded the previous question
the substitution was made by a crushing
majority amid volleys OF cheers. Mis-
Willard, however, resented this treat
ment, and Powderly hurried to the plat
form and held hasty conference wit
her, as a result of which it was an
pounced that Miss Curtis resolution ha
been Withdrawn, whereupon Miss Curt
declared that she had done no sue
Thing, much TO the chagrin of Powderl
lnd other LaRGe.e.
THE MINORITY REPORT ADOPTED.
1t was now apparently the purpose Q
Powderly, having kept Miss Willard
minority report out Of the platform t
placate her and her friends by havn
the conventio adopt the Willard plan
as a resolution in place Of that of Mi.
Curtis. When roll call was tinall
reached on what had now become Mis-
Curtis minority platform report the vol
was taken by states.
Secretary Hayes declared the minorit
report carried-254 to 246, counting I'll
knights organization as voting solid
aye. Unofficial tally keepers no
seemed to be lifted to the roof in ii
enthusiastic cheering that broke fort
at every hand. Hats, papers, umbrella
flags; everything portable within reaC
was flung into the air, the applau
stopping only with five minutes mo-
OF a tremendous "Glory, glory, hall
lujah y
Powderly now had another surpris
He shouted to all Knights of Lab
present to follow him and 20 outside
the hall for caucus. They did so, al
the FARMERS Alliance, at tie call u II
Cunc, also temporarily withdrew, I'd
withstanding the loud protests OF The
national lecturer, Willets Of kansa
that the action amounted to breaking /
the convention in row.
After d half hours painful unee
,ainty the convention slowly got t
Bethor again. lgnatus Donneliy W
granted three minutes, and to the som
what general surprise declared all Il
bucinoea pf tbe convention oc,l11