The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-02-23
ADVOCATES
DIsAFFEorED PoLr TTCI4Ss MEET
Powderly and Polk Big Chiefs-The Views OF
the Farmer on the Sifuation-Peo-
pies Party Conference.

Sr. LOUIS, Mo-, Feb. 22-lhe convention
of representatives of the disafected itical
elements began here to-day. Among those
present were Francis Willard, representative
of the opposition to the rum m-power and the
sale of liquor: A. T. Streeter. the champion Of
aut-monopolists: Representative Taubeneck.
of Illinois. and Robert Shilling. OF Wis
consin. IN behalf Of the Peoples party
Grand Master Workman Powderly, with
Secretary Hayes and Congressman Davis as
delegates from TIE Knights OF Labor; ". A.
Carsey. of New York city, anti-Monopoly
League: Judge Snyder. Of Kanses Post Of
Georgia: Washburn. of Massachusetts,: Gene
raj John Is. Weaver of Iowa J.. J. POLK, OF
North Carolina: Congressman Livingston,
OF Georgia. The draft OF plat
form was prepared which deals only
with the questions of land. finance and trans
portation. and leaves all other questions Sc
verely alone. This programme is not agreea-
ble 10 certain elements or the delegations
and as q result the entire platform Will DO
fought out on the floor of the convention.
Two o'clock was the hour announced Tor the
opening Of the convention, and when ~ ar
rived the ground floor IF the Exposition build
ing was well filed with delegates while there
was a respectable fringe of spectators IN the
two balconies. Large placards denoted the
sections assigned to the delegations. Out
side of a large United States iag stretched
across the back of the stage there was no at
tempt at decoration.
MUST HONOR TIE FLAG.
Before the gathering was called TO order,
s. H. Snyder. of kingman. Kan, announced
that no one but "A cordial delegate would be
allowed upon the floor. Although divided in
political sentiment there was one flag when
all would respect. the Stars and Stripes. and
under that banner they wero greeted. Ihey
were supposed 10 known no organization, TO
know their country United States OF
America. This was received with loud shouts
of Amen aud cheers.
The entrance Of President l.. l.. Polk. Of
the Farmers Alliance and industrial JniOn2
was greeted with prolonged applause. and the
bands struck up Three Cheers for the Red
| White and Blue When the band had run
through its programme the convention was
called 10 order by Ben Terrill of Texas. and
| divine assistance and counsel was implOred
by Rev. Or. Major. of Illinois.
There was a stirring scene when Miss Alice
Mitchell. Of Chicago. was introduced q sing
the star Spangled Banner" The young
and old took up the refrain and sang II with
a vigor that made the roof shake.
Before the fair singer had time 10 bow her
self from a stage the Southern delegate sent
up a demand for the "Suwannee River and
the old plantation song was rendered with
pathOs that brought tears 10 hundreds of eyes.
The musical ceremonies ended, G. i. Wal
bridge president of the city council Of ~.
Louis. bade the delegates a hearty welcome.
Responses were made by l.. l.. Polk, on be-
half Of the Farmers Alliance and Industrial
Union and I. V. Powderly, in the name of
the Knights Of Labor. The appointment Of
committees occupied the most OK the day.
PowDERLY INTERVIEWED.
Prior to the convention some of the leaders
of the different elements that make up the
gathering expressed themselves. Mr.. Pow
derly said
The representatives Of the Knights of
Labor are here in obedience 10 resolution
OF the general assembly of the order direct
ing that we attend the conference and assist
in preparing political platform upon which
we can all stand We will certainly formu-
late platform including all national points
Of vital interest, on which we can harmonic,
and then as a natural consequence all the
industrial organizations participating IN the
conference will support IN the coming elec-
tiOn that political party which comes nearest
to adopting our platform"
SEPARATE CONFERENCES.
ST. LOUIS. Feb. 22.-At a conference Of rep
resentatives Of tho Peoples party held at noon
to-day il was decided that the party as an or
ganizatlon should take no part IN the conyen-
ton but it's adhesion should be given 10 the
new movement provided the platform adopt
ed be in line with its own.
The knights OF Labor delegates met in con-
ference at the acede Hotel 40 noon, with
Grand Master Workman Powderly presiding,
and decided TO urge the adoption Of plat
form covering the land. financial and trans
portation issues and 70 ignore all issues of
controversial character
Representative Jerry Simpson was one Of
the latest arrivals to-day This announce
ment n the lobby of the l.acede Hotel was
the signal for % rush Of delegates. who
struggled for the purpose Of taking him by
the hand. None OF them, however, were sue
cessful in inducing him TO express his opinion
REGARDING the outcome of the convention. To
| all suggestions and inquiries he returned an
answer eulogzng the progress being made IN
| Chicago on the fair buildings.