Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-02-24
THEY STILL SQUABBLE.
The Big st. Louis Farce Wastes An
other Day Quarreling.
NO ACTUAL BUSINESS DONE YET.
The Whole Day Spent Wrangling About Matters
That Have But Little Bearing Upon the Al
legged Object Of the Mssting-Ihs Plat
form Committee at Work.

ST. LOUIS, February 23.-"lt has
been said that this convention to-day
will be a Kilkenny fight" This was
the startling fashion in which Chair
man Connor to-day opened the big con-
vention of farmers and laborers which
was supposed to be in session TO pre-
pare the way for nominating candi-
date for the presidency OF the United
States.
Chairman Connor raspingly proceed
ed by inviting any would be leaders
who were not present for harmonious
action to get out Of the way or be
stepped upon. He then announced that
the committee on credentials had been
in session practically all night and
would now present apartial report.
The convention had been kept wait
ing over an hour beyond the time set
for assembling, but by rattling songs
and speeches had been kept in humor,
though evidently i'll at ease and appre-
hensive Of trouble. The report OF the
Credentials Committee recommended
seating GAG delegates from the Farmers
Alliance, So +. M. b. A., 81 Knights OF
Labor, 95 Farmers Alliance, National
Citizens Alliance, 81 Colored +. M. b.
A., % National Citizens Independent
Alliance, rs Patrons OF Industry, 25
Patrons OF Husbandry; total 677.
The Farmers Alliance was given
twenty-five delegates at large and thir-
teen minor detached organizations,
were given q representation OF tfty-
eight. The contest from Georgia was
left with the committee to wrestle with.
Ignatius Donnelly moved an amend
ment that Miss Frances Willard, Lady
Somerset, Clara Hoffman and f. ii. In
gals be seated as delegates, represent
ing the National Women's Christian
Temperance Union.
The amendment was greeted with
deafening cheers, and both amendment
and report was adopted, going through
like wildfire. The threat OF Chairman
Connor that "kickers" would be tram
pied out of sight seemed for the time
being to have given the convention an
extraordinary impetus for business and
nothing else, and on motion OF Donnelly
it was resolved that during a recess d
committee on platform be appointed on
a compromise basis.
Instead Of precipitating another OF
the oft fought conflicts between the
method of choosing representatives by
States or organizations, the DOnnelly
plan was to give each national organi-
zation three representatives on the plat
form committee and each State one
representative. General Weaver moved
the election OF President Polk, OF the
Farmers Alliance, as permanent chair
man OF the convention.
The motion was seconded like light
ming and temporary Chairman Cannon
mt the motion like another flash, de-
claring the election Of Mr.. Polk unani-
nous.
In an instant Mr.. Powderly, OF the
K. of L., was on his feet protesting
that the proceedings were Irregular.
Powderly declared, however, that the
Knights of Labor In the convention
would vote solidly for Polk. Others be-
sides Powderly added their protest and
Mr.. Polk apparently seeing that he had
been placed in false position, came TO
the front OF the stage and announced
that II there were objections TO the
manner OF his election he would be will
ing to relinquish the position to which
he had been chosen.
An Illinois delegate vociferously In
terrupted with motion for reconsider
alton of the election OF Polk. The mo-
tion was carried. DR.. McCune advocated
a vote by States instead OF by organiza-
tions. The Donnelly compromise OF
voting by both organizations and States
again came successfully TO the front,
however, with much confusion and
many parliamentary tangles.
Polk was then formally nominated by
half a dozen delegates In different parts
of the hall. Kentucky at the last mo-
ment slipped in with the name OF Ben
Terrill, of Texas, and the voting began
by roll call, organizations being called
first. The Farmers Alliance immedi-
ately pumped 246 votes for Polk, the
f. NJ. B. A. with their SO votes and the
Knights OF Labor with SO. The an
nouncement OF the vote OF the Knights,
made by Powderly, was greeted with
great cheering. Folks election was now
made unanimous without any more fric-
ton.
Chairman Polk said the next order OF
business was the election OF vice presl-
dents and other officers. Wild cheering
was elected by Wardell, Of South Da-
kota. who nominated Miss Frances VIII
lard as one OF the vice presidents. Ken
lucky nominated Terrill once more as
the favorite OF that State. Both were
chosen unanimously.
A sensation was caused by Warwick,
a colored delegate from Virginia, arising
at this juncture and stating In digni-
fed but extremely earnest manner, that
the colored alliance seemed TO be getting
no consideration in the convention. he
firmly demanded that this be stopped.
A delegate in the rear Of the hall flip.
pantly suggested that Mr.. Warwick be
given an office-that OF an assistan,
secretary.
The convention took the suggestion
seriously. and Gilmore, OF Georgia, with
marked show Of courtesy, asked that
Warwick's election be made unanimous.
An Alabama delegate loudly proclaimed
that Il could never be done.
A vote was taken, and 70 the Alabsma
mans surprise and chagrin, only one
negative voice was heard In the vast
hall-his own.
While the motion by Simpson, oi
Kansas, to adjourn for two hours wa:
pending, DR.. Macune read telegram
from Messrs. Whitaker and Davis, urg
ing that the conference adopt resolu.
tion asking Congress TO pass the anti
option bill.
A wrangle took place Immediately
Simpson and Macune locked horns e
the delight Of the spectators Genera
Wesver and Mr.. Powderly finally
smoothed the feelings Of the combat
ants By securing recess OF thirty min
! utes.