The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-08-24
POPULIST CONVENTION.
ENTHUSIASTIC PATRIOTS GATHERED
IN THE CITY OF WACO.
The Woes Of the Down. rodden Farmel and
Laborer Depicted and Balm For
Their Wounds Prescribed
by Every Speaker.
Special to The Statesman.

W blc cOploo parry lOuby. AhS
members of that organization were
everywhere to be seen, All trains to-
day brought recruits. The delegates
wore an air of confidence and ex-
pressed much satisfaction with the
outlook of their party in the state. 1t
is silver, silver and corporate greed
everywhere. The national administra-
was scored upon all sides for its stand
in the interest of British and foreign
money barons.
Each delegate reported his county
as in overwhelming sympathy with the
party's demand for more money and
The free and unlimited coinage of sill
yer. Earnestness was the character
istic of the delegates. They had come
to express their views and opinions,
and this they did extensively.
The large blue room of the city hall
was comfortably filled at o'clock this
morning, and before the proceedings
were fairly under way it was crowded.
Probably 800 delegates and members Of
the party sat during the entire morn
ing in the heated hall and enthusiast
tically applauded the speakers.
Chairman Ashby called the conven-
ton to order shortly after o'clock. j..
R. Watkins of Navarro county, was
elected secretary. A lull of several
minutes ensued during which delegates
poured into the hall. Cheers greeted
the appearance of Methodist jim
Davis"
The chairman addressed the con-
vention, saying:
Gentlemen:
In times like these and in such a
gathering, when the people of the
country are poverty stricken, it is but
proper that our prayers should go up
to God. All who believe in the re-
ported distressed condition should la
Dor to build up our country and our
people. As chairman of your state
convention feel it my duty to call on
God to direct us. will therefore call
on Brother Allen to open the meeting
with prayer.
Rev. J. H. Allen of Erath county in
voked divine blessing on the conven-
ton and its proceedings and asked for
the deliverance of the people from the
chains of slavery.
Mayor McCullock was introduced
and delivered a short address of well
come. Col. w. r. Robinson
of San Antonio responded to
the mayors address of welcome on
behalf of the convention. He congra-
tulated the mayor as a celebrated
Democrat upon the fact that he had
come to realize that the financial ques-
ton was the most important before
the country. 1t was but short time
ago that Cleveland and the Domo
cratic leaders had declared that the
financial issue was but secondary and
the tariff question was the all absorb
ing one. He thanked the mayor and
the citizens of Waco for their deter
mination to stand by the constitution
in the matter of the money of the
people.
Chairman Ashby stated that he felt
it his duty to convene the executive
committee and the general necessity
for forward and uniform movement
made this seem necessary. We can
not now plead ignorance OF our coun-
try's needs. The farmers and laborers
are studying the question and believe
they understand it. We care but little
for parties.
The following delegates were APP
pointed a committee on credentials
and retired to make up the loll of
the convention. Messrs. w. d. Lewis
of Williamson, DIR. A. @. lsaacs of
Milans, w E Farmer of Hopkins, B H
Knowles of Brazos.
N. L. Jamison of Erath county
mounted the platform and proceeded
to score President Cleveland for his re-
fusal to believe as some OF our enemies
do that we are going to be overrun by
ignoronce. On the contrary, we are
burdened with talent. No man can
we are determined, ever stand on a
rostrum and say that he is the leader
of the Peoples party. We want no
hero to worship. We want the ex-
pressions of the people here upon the
questions before us today. We throw
the door of the Peoples party wide
open to all and give them that
strongest of foundations upon which
to stand, the Omaha platform. We
are all proselytes and if the other par
ties don't look ont we will get their
people. We are all thankful for that
CeTUdlu luNlJdJlOh. Ilc IdloOu d ldus III
at the mayors expense when in refer
ring to the latter's admission of failure
of the financial question. He declared
that when one wished to find a man
who did not understand the financial
question ne must 60 to Democratic
mayor or National banker.
D. M. Rumph of Erath county fol-
lowed and spoke practically in the
same vein. 1--WE want no compromise
upon the money question:" he said.
Let it be fought to finish. Give us
a compromise and the goldbugs, will
have us sure"
Judge Nugent came upon the plat
form at this juncture and was greeted
by cheers and applause. He was pre-
sented to the convention by Chairman
Ashby, who said: 1--WE are glad that
added to our love feast is the bishoph'
This was enthusiastically greeted.
Judge Nugent said that he was
present to add his humble mite of ad-
vice and counsel. 1.-The condition OF
the country" he added, sis most de-
plorable. Silver has always passed
current. Our farmers will take it,
business will reach it and take it.
Strike down silver and use the single
gold standard and a short period of
seeming relief will come, but it will
not stav. as Won cannot DESTROY