New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-24
A THIRD PARTY OR MOTT
BURNING QUESTIONS IN THE ST. LOUIS CON.
VENTION.
THE DELEGATES FIND THEMSELVES AMONG rEz
BREAKFRs-wARRING GEoRGIANs-wAIT.
ING FOR THE PLATFORM COM

MTTEE TO REPORT.
st. Louis, Feb. 23.-"It has been said that Com
venion day would be Kilkenny fight" This was
the startling fashion in which Chairman Conner today
opened the big convention Of farmers and laborsrs
which was supposed to be In session to prepare inc
way for nominating candidate for the Presidency OF
the United States. Chairman Common rasphgly pro-
ceeded, inviting any would-be leaders who wero NOT
present for harmonious action to get out Of the way
or be stepped upon. He then announced that the
Committee Credentials had been in session practi.
cay all night and would present partial report.
The convention had been kept waiting over an
hour beyond the time set for assembling, but By
singing and speech making had been kept in humor
though evidently Ill at ease and appreheDslve OF
trouble. The report OF the Credentials Committee
recommended seating 246 delegates from the Frmers'
Alliance; 50 from the Farmers Mutual Benefit Asso-
citation; 80, knights OF Labor; ~, National Farmer'
Alliance; %, National Citizens Alliance 81 ColoseA
+. W. B. A.. 81, National Citizens Independent ALL
ance; u.s. Patrons OF Industry 25, Patrons OF Hus
bandry Total ST.. contest from Georgia wM
left with the committee to be further wrestled with.
Ignatius D0nnely moved an amendment that Miss
Frances Willard. Lady Somerset, Clara Hoffman and
F. H. ingalls, be seated delegates representing the
National woman's Christian Temperance Union. The
amendment was greeted with deafening cheers, ana
both amendment and report were adopted On motion
OF Mr. Donnelly 1t was resolved that Committee on
Platform be appointed on compromise basis Instead
OF pccpitatng another Of the Oftfought conflicts be-
the method of choosing representatives by States
or by Organizationss the DOnnelly plan was to give
each National organization three representatives on the
Platform Committee and each State representative.
General Weaver moved the election Of President Polk,
OF the Farmers Alliance, as permanent chairman OF
the convention. The motion seconded like fash
and declared carried in the same rapid manner In an
Instant Mr.. Powderly, Of the Knights OF Labor, was
Hfv,0c
irregular. Powderly declared however that the knights
OF Labor in the convention would vote soldy for Polk.
Others besides Powdery added their protest and Mr..
Polk apparently seeing that he had been placed In
false position to the front Of the stage and an
nounced that If there objections to the manner OF
his election he would be willing to relnqush tho place
to which he had been chosen. However after much con-
fusion Mr. Polk eventually elected presiding officer
Wild cheering was ELECTED by wardel, Of South
Dakota who nominated Miss Frances willard as one Of
the vice presidents. Kentucky nominated Terrell once
more as the favorte Of that State Both were CHOSEN
unanimously Miss Willard called upon to address
the convention, which she did. John W. Hayes OF the
knights Of Labor, was made secretary.
The convention was now on the verge OF spnt,
threatened by the action Of large number Of Southern
delegates. At a Caucus held last night it became evil
dent that many Souterners were not in favor OF third
party action, holding that their secession from Their
old party the Democratic would only strengthen the
Republicans. The logic Of that argument was con-
ceded by ALL and before the caucus closed all OF the
delegates from Georgia, including l.. F. Livingston
member Of Congress from the WITH Georgia District
and state president OF the Alliance, announced that
should the conference determine on third party they
would withdraw from the body. -Four OF SIX Alabama
delegates announced that they would DO likewise, as
did the delegations from Tennessee Maryland Virgins,
West Virginia, and the president Of the North CaSona
State Alliance
MI. .f,.J o,tr 6rbf ccufdan
convention by the report of the Committee on Gre
dent,als seating Post and Branch. two Third party
delegates after efforts had been made to shut them
out Post, In general scramble fer the floor, got
in first and in the bttcreSt speech heard in the con-
ventlon denounced Congressman Livingston Of Georgia
as attempting hand the Alliance in that State.
bound hand and foot, TO the Democratic party. Tho
excitement caused BY this accusation intense. and
scores OF the delegates running about and wav
ing their hands like so many bcdlamites. After an
exchange OF hot personalities and extraordinary con-
fusion. participated In by Moses Of Georgia, Filing
ton Branch and Others, the report Of the Credentials
Committee finally adopted by Q large majority,
substantial triumph for the third party crowd. Tho
trouble among the Georgians continued fierce, how
ever and was only ended by the club
in hand forcbly jsmmng the warning Southerners
down In their seats.
When quiet had been measxrab,y restored, the long
list of members OF the Platform Committee read,
making total of nearly $50 membsrs The announce
ment Of Post the platform committeeman rom
Georgia nearly started personal encounter between
Post and Moses, a fellow Georgian. The convention
as whole thoroughly disgustcd with tho
Georgians and plainly showed II with Kisses and cat
calls Jerry simpson turned the whole dispute Into
rdcule by suggesting that half the Georgia delegates
be apportiOned to Alaska to give them q chance 10
cool OF. A colorrd delegate outdid tho "sockless
Kansan" in aroding needed relaxation for the osu'
vention. Standing upon railing, the colored brother
started tho delivery OF fowery oraton with which
he had plainly long been burdened. Astronomy and
politics and hundred other subjects were mixed In II
and when he had ended Secretary Hayes came forward
with statement that the Georgans had Ct last settled
their fight Post being made platform representative
from Georgia, and Wilson, an ant-Third party man.
the Georgia member of the anti option Committee.
The breath of the delegates was taken away hter
ON BY wilIetts of Kansas, National lecturer Of the
Farmers Alliance, who moved that the convention
demand the passage Of the Sub Treasury ban instead d
petitoning the Washington Solons to enact the pro
posed Ant-Option law.
Wheat lecturer for the Knights Of Labos, moved to
lay Willettss motion the table and on q vote the
Sub Treasury substitute was showed under.
Kelley OF Kansas, offered resolution that tho ap-
preparation pending in Congress for permanent
census bureau be Endorsed II provision made for
the investigation Of farm mortgages as
permanent part OF the work Of the Bureau The
resolution adopted after speeches. in its favor had
been made by Congressman Simpson and Livingston.
The latter almost tearfuly denied having tried ID
turn the Alliance In his state to the Democratic
party.
discussion Of the burning question Of free coinage
was now pitched among the delegates by Wilson, Of
Georgia. offering a resolution that the convention
petition Congress for the adoption Of the pending bill
for the free and unlimited coinage 81 silver. This
matter was left for the Platform Committee. For
nearly an hour after supper time the convention while
waiting to hear from Its mammouth Committee on
Resolutions listened to convulsngly funny, misoel-
aneous harangues and songs but at last. hungry and
disappointed, adjourned until tomorrow
Ignatius Donnelly. leading menbcr Of TIE con.
decided to incorporate In the platform the Sub Treasury
scheme, free coinage OF silver, woman suffrage and
prohibition.
As il the split In the Southern delegations Il mot