Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-02-04
THE PEOPLES PARTY.
The State Convention Now in
Session.
TIE PLATFORM ADOPTED.
What the Peoples Party Demand Of the Gov
eminent
THE Address OF Welcome by ''sturnPH
Ashby-Addresses Made by yarious Del
egates-The Proceedings Of the
Convention in Detail
E PLATFORM ADOPTED.

1t Texas convened yesterday morning in
Sbc Seventeenth district court room a few
minutes after 10 o'clock, Judge Beckham
Indy allowing the convention the use Of
the room.
considerable hardness was visible in
Gathering together the clans, but united
hustle among the delegates resulted in
,heir finally coming together and getting
down TO actual, and it might be said,
}aborious work.
A few minutes after 10 O'Clock, the ora
toricaI tones of Col Ashby were heard to
resound throughout the commodious hall,
and with the gaVel, brought to order the
state convention of the Peoples party of
There were. quite a number of delegates
from all over the state TO the number OF
one hundred or more beside as many more
people who came from a distance TO be
present during the deliberations Of the
convention When the order of business
was proceeded with, there were in all not
less than 800 or 400 people present,
not all Peoples party follow
ers, a majority Of whom were in attendance
as a matter of curiosity, and TO take in the
Col SAshby, on, the part of the conven-
ton, made the following speech OF well
come:
Fort Worth, the queen Of the West, the
city Of conventions, gladly welcomed this
meeting 20 It's midst. She would take
pleasure in showing the members of the con-
yeution her many improvements, factories
and other evidences OF her energy, pluck and
public spirit. There is a great element all
over our state now represented in this hall
who are becoming known as a power in the
land. They are the Peoples party, the
men who are determined to right the
wrongs Of oppressive class laws. These
reformers are here to stay and win not be
scOded of the political stage nor be frowned
down or ridiCuled by its opponents. The
question Is whether the Democrats aud
Republicans, as they have clasped liz loving
embrace in the Kansas fusion; and as they
VIII in all parts Of the union unite TO defeat
rs. or whether the united forces of the
Peoples party shall be triumphant in the
coming elections. 1t therefore becomes
necessary for the people TO arise in their
might to save this country from the reign
of corporate monopoly both foreign and
domestic. The people have come into this
movement from mine, factory, farm and
workshop, and from all occupations. and
are determined that their influence and
power shall be felt. We aim to elect eYel y
thing from constable to president if we
possibly cam. If I have Republican and
Democratic friend here / wish TO serve
notice on him, on behalf of both myself and
the Peoples party OF Texas, that no com
promise shall be made by US with him; no
tempOrizing of the principles of this mighty
reform viii be for moment considered, We
want 10 give you full notice that you
NAV never be able to say we ''sllpped
up on you" The ofice of president Of the
United States has been almost vacant for
many years and we hope to be able To fill it
at the next election. Once when great men
lived and moved in the Democracy of our
great state, Sam Houston ran for governor
against the Democratic nominee. Political
bosses asked him who told him to run. He
said that the people asked him to run. The
people are striking for freedom today, and
all lovers of liberty should join them. Again
I welcome the members of the conven-
ton to the city of Fort Worth:
At the close of Mr.. Ashby'S remarks,
Col. 2. l. Dahoney of Lamar county was
introduced, aud on behalf of the conven-
ton. heartily acknowledged the welcome
extended. He felt q peculiar interest in
Fort Worth and was glad to know she was
an enterprising, prosperous city. He and
Capt. Sam Evans were in the state senate
when the question of a land subsidy to the
Texas and Pacific railroad came up. The
company intended TO extend the transconti-
mental and Texas and Pacific west and
form a Junction at Phantom Hill in
Shackelford county. He and Capt. Evans
had forced the issue requiring them to
form the junction of Fort Worth, conse-
queDtly he claimed that he was one of the
men who were instrumental in beginning
the development OF Fort Worth.
Col. Dahoney believed that there was no
hope in the old parties; no hope except in
independent political action through the
medium of the Peoples party. The Ocala
demands had been made, discussed fully
and re-affirmed, but neither of the old polit-
ical parties had acceded 10 them, but still
rejected. Therefore there is no hope except
this movement. Our reform was called the
Peoples party" name he liked. He
wanted 10 see a line drawn across the polit-
zeal field, on one side of which the people
and producers should rally. and the monop-
olists would then be forced TO fall in on the
other side. Thus men would be forced to
take sides. The money plank should be the
central idea-the central point Of attack
hence we should make it our rallylng point.
Monopoly had forced cotton, wheat, and all
the products of the farm down far below
the cost of production and increased the
ability of the money power to enslave the
people. Congress has done nothing on this
line of relief. We should also fortify on all
minor issues. The time has come for de-
termined and decisive fight. He again ac-
cepted the Inequalities extended.
". o. Niillican, secretary of the executive
committee, rendered his resignation which
was accepted. and Thomas Gaines OF Co
mauche was chosen.
On motion of w. S. Robinson Of Bexar
the following committees were appointed:
Credentials Harsis of Tarraut, w.
S. Robinson Of Tarrant, John O'Byrne of
Gregg. J. b. AIilhurn of Montague, J. j.
Mills of Hopkins.
Resolutions and platform-Jennings OF
Collins, Perdue OF Upshaw, Dahoney of
Lamar, Evans of Tarrant Wilson of Gala
han, ,Birthright of Hopkins.
The two committees at once retired TO
formulate their reports and return to the
convention, and there being nothing else
before the convention for action until the
reports were handed in Chair
man Ashby arose aud called on any OF the
who might choose to make few
short speeches. This request brought out
Q number. who addressed the convention
upon matters pertaining TO the party, and
the best and most feasible methods Of pro-
cedure. Many of the speeches were
pointed. logical and interesting, even TO
those who do not affiliate with or approve
the policies Of the third party.
W 4. Lamp. Secretary Gaines, Stump
Ashby and others prominent IN the new
political movement in Texas delivered
themselves of long-confined facts; they
wanted TO abolish the national bank system,
and establish a peoples currency; the
Peoples party wished 10 come to the rescue
Of q long-suTering humanity, and that the
only efectual relief was to take on the
principles as promulgated by the party that
had certainly been OWNED by the Al
mighty They wanted TO reform the coun-
try by electing the natiohal senate by direct
vote Of the people, and to accomplish all of