Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-02-24
SATDOWN ON MOSES
An Incident in the Conference
at ST. Louis.
THE GEORGIA MAN HURLs DEFIANCE

And the Delegates Reply with Groaps
and Kisses - Independent Action a
Foregon Conclusion and a New PARTY
as Good Organized - PIanks that
Various People Want in the Platform
tleNeland's Reception at Derroit-Ar-
ranScments for the Democratic National
SonVention-Politica Field Notes.
st. Louis, Feb 24.-"If it is IA crime to be
a Democrat, then you can take me out and
hang me now" Thus, with ouiverinr
frame, distended eyes, uplifted arm. and
clenched fist, Congressman Charles /.
Moses, of the Fourth Georgia district,
hurled defiance yesterday afternoon at the
delegates to the industrial conference. A
perfect cyclone of groans and Kisses, start
ing on the floor and following its track up
to the top gallery of Exposition hail. fol-
lowed IN the wake of the challenge. Hang
me now repeated Moses in a voice that
penetrated the din, and again there was
an avalanche of unnatural sounds, in the
midst of which, with apparently every
nerve and fibre shaking with passion and
excitement, the Georgia congressman sank
back into his seat.
Means Independent Action.
In this exciting episode was made mani
fest the final determination of the dele
gates to this convention to declare in favor
OF third party and an independent ticket
Moses reached the city Monday at the
head of five delegates from the Farmers
Alliance of his state who had been desig-
q - a q
mittee of the party. &C. Post, the we'll
known Alliance advocate, had preceded
him with the same number of delegates,
representing the same organization, but
who had been chosen by the different dis
tricts. Moses was avowedly in favor of
framing a declaration of principles and
submitting them for approval to the
Democratic national convention, opposing
a third party ticket on the ground that II
might result in the delivery of some of
the southern states to the Republicans.s
Post, on the other hand, i an out and out
third partyite.
Kind of Harmony Moses Wanted.
The committee on credentials gave a
night and half of Yesterday to the contest
ed delegation, and finally decided to seat
three of the Post and Two of the Moses
delegates. 1t was on this proposition that
the fight occurred. Post was satisfied, but
Moses was not. In the course of the de
bate w. f. Branch, of Georgia, charged
that while Moses was for harmony in the
abstract, he was not for any harmony that
wouldI not deliver over the farmers, bound
hand and foot, to the Democratic party.
1t was this attack that led to the out
break. Later in the day Congressman
Livingston, who had been charged with
being in sympathy with Moses, rekindled
the flame.
Livingston Issues a Def"
He said it had been gossiped on the
streets, at the corners, and in the hotels,
that he was plotting to give the Alliance
vote of Georgia to the Democrats. The
man did not live who would came to his
face and dare make that statement. There
We're two things that no man should touch
unmolested, his religion or his political
principles. Outside of this episode the
day was practically wasted. All that has
so far been accomplished in a half day
Monday and nine hours yesterday could
have been done by well regulated assem-
bly, in an hour. Business was continu-
ously interrupted with songs and story
telling and one indignant granger voiced
the sentiment of his followers when he
protested last evening, after dozen
stories had been told and songs sung, that
while they were having a pleasant enter
tainment and lots of fun there was more
buncombe than business
The Proceedings Epitomized.
At the morning session l.. l.. Polk was
elected permanent chairman, and said the
future of the republic and welfare of its
citizens were in the hands of this conven-
tion. Miss Frances Willard and Ben Ter
rell were made vice presidents, and John
w. Hayes secretary. A recess was then
taken, and upon reassembling Miss VIII
lard and Mrs Lease were added to the plat
form committee. The Moses incident was
the next in order, arising on the credential
committees report which was finally
adopted. Propositions to ask for and de-
mand the anti-option bill or sub treasury
scheme were laid on the table