Los Angeles herald., 1892-02-24
IN A REDHOT STEW.
Stormy Scenes..in the st. Louis
Conference.
'Fhe Crank Convention Almost
Breaks Up in a Row.
A Free Fight Between Georgia Dele
gates Narrowly Averted.
southerners Opposed to Independent
Political Action-Polk Per m anent
Chairman-Third Partyites
On Top.
Associated Press Dispatches.


ST.. LOUIS, Feb. 23.-Seldom, if ever,
has more turbulent scene been wit
messed at great political gathering
than the one presented late this after
noon in the big national industrial con-
ference. For several anxious minutes
the convention seemed about to break
to pieces in fight. The committee on
credentials caused all this trouble by
seating the contesting, or third party,
delegates from Georgia. As soon as their
names were read, pandemonium broke
loose. Moss of Georgia, an anti-third
party man, made vigorous objection,
unless the contestants would submit to
the unit rule.
In an instant Post, one Of the contest
ing men, was up. He was here, he
said, as delegate chosen by the state
Alliance, while Moses was chosen by
the executive committee. Nineteen
twentieths of the state Alliance ef
Georgia were in favor of independent
political action, and the small faction
represented By the other wing were not
deserving of consideration. Congress-
man Livingstone, declared Post, had
himself declared in favor of selecting
delegates all of one opinion or the other,
and then chosen set of men whose
purpose it was, as it was Livingstone's
own, to deliver the Alliance, bound hand
and foot, to the old Democratic ring.
Branch, OF Georgia, also yelled at the
top of his voice in the same vein. The
uproar increased and delegates were
shaking fists in one anothers' faces, and
the chairman's gavel had no effect.
Chairman Brown, of the credentials
committee, said the committee had
recognized the great seal of the Alliance
of Georgia, and found three men en-
titled to seats. This left two vacancies,
and in the interest of harmony these
had been filled by selection from the 4
opposing force. It was not question
OF old political parties, but question Of
peace.
The confusion continued for fully five
minutes. Finally Ellington, of Georgia,
mounted chair and repeated Posts
| charges against the Georgia executive
committee. heg
1 Moses tried to get at him and a free
| fight seemed unavoidable, but the con-
vention seeming suddenly to realize the
disgrace of the affair, took an astonish
ing right about face. The report of the
committee on credentials was adopted,
with long wall from Georgia.
SERIOUS SPLIT THREATENED.
AT caucus held last night it became
evident that many of the southerners
were not in favor of third party action,
holding that their desertion from their
old party (Democratic) would only
| or M M Ponnhlioor,o Pafara
the caucus closed all the delegates from
Georgia announced that should the con-
ference determine on third party, they
would Withdraw from the body. Four
of the six Alabama delegates announced
that they would do likewise, as did the
delegates from Tennessee, Maryland,
Virginia, West Virginia and the presi-
dent of the North Carolina state ALI
ance.
CREDENTIAL Committees REFORT.
When the industrial conference
opened this morning. Chairman Cannon
stated that if anybody was not present
for harmonious action, he might get out
of the way or be stepped upon. He
then announced that the committee on
credentials had been in session all night
and was now ready to present partial
| report.
The report recommended seating 246
delegates from the Farmers Alliance, 53
F. M. B. A., so Knights of Labor. 97
National Farmers Alliance, 25 National
Citizens Alliance, 81 colored F. M. B.
A., 27 National Citizens Independent
Alliance, 65 Patrons of Industry, 25
Patrons of Husbandry; total, 677.
The Farmers Alliance were given %
delegates-at-large, and thirteen minor
detached organizations and individuals
were given representation of 5S.
Ignatius Donnelly moved an amend
ment that Miss Frances Willard, Lady
Somerset, Clara Hoffman and F. H. In
gals be seated as delegates, as repre-
senting the national Women's Christian
Temperance union. Both the amend
ment and the report were adopted.
1t was resolved that during recess
committee on platform be appointed on
give each national organization three
mittee, and each state one representa-
tive.
POLK MADE PERMANENT CHAIRMAN.
General Weaver moved the election of
President Polk Of the Farmers Alliance
as permanent chairman of the conven-
tion, and it was declared carried unani-
mously.
In an instant Powderly of the Knights
of Labor was on his feet hotly protest.
ing that the proceedings were irregular.
Others added their protests, and an
Illinois delegate made motion for re-
considering the election of Polk. The
motion was promptly carried.
It was decided to vote by states in
stead of by organizations, and Polk was
unanimously elected.
Polk then announced that the next
order of business was the election OF the
vice-presidents and other officers. Miss
Frances Willard and Ben. Terril of
Texas were elected Independents.
John w. Hay Of the Knights Of Labor
was made secretary, and Warwick, |
colored delegate from Virginia, assistant
secretary.
FREE COINAGE BRoACHED.
The free coinage trouble was pitched