The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-05-17
POPULISTS OF THE STATE.
The Nominations and Resolutions Go
Over Until To-day.

That 2 800 Populists FIocked to the
City-W Watson Elected Permanent
ohairman-His Speech Largely De-
voted to an Attack on the Demo
cratic Admin stration.
Atlanta, Ca, May 16--When NJ. D.
Irwin, chairman of the Peoples party
state executive committee, called the
populist state convention to order at 10
o'clock this morning, the shouting and
voting representatives of the new political
creed were wedged into the hall of the
House of Representatives until elbow
room was out OF the question. In point of
numbers, the convention was the largest
that has been held here in years by any
party Fully $500 populists came to the
city to attend the convention. No effort
was made to seat the delegates in the
nall, but the business of the day
was done in standing room. The CALLER
les were also packed to the doors and
many Of the visitors, finding that they
were crowded out of the convention ha IL,
put in the day seeing the sights Of the
city. But two counties of the state were
not represented by delegates. When the
roll of counties was called and credentials
demanded, it was disclosed that some
counties had sent delegations of from ten
to twenty, and several delegations were
partially composed of negroes.
MADE UP OF GOOD MEN.
Compared to the conventions of years
ago to-day's gathering was far su-
perior. While most of the delegates were
farmers, they had the appearance of being
leading men OF their communities They
were fairly well organized, and were
handled without much trouble, consider
ing the size of the body. There was
notable absence of the lack of purpose
and the scattering methods that charac-
terized the gathering two years ago.
In calling the body to order, Chairman
Irwin said the purpose of the convention
was to nominate the next governor and
state house officers of Georgia. ut is
evident" he said, that the Peoples
party has outgrown the capitol"
On the call for nominations for tenn
porary chairman, Hon. Thomas G. Wat
son was nominated by w. Y. Carter, of
Hart county. He referred to Mr.. Wat
son as the plowboy statesman, the second
Thomas jefferson of America, who was
elected to congress in the Tenth district
despite the corruption Of the Augusta
ring, but was counted out
There were seconds from nearly every
congressional district, and Mr.. Watson
was finally led to the chair amid enthusi-
astic applause, which was redoubled
when he took the gavel and began his
speech.
MR.. wATsoN's SPEECH.
He said
Comrades: 1 am deeply moved at this com
pliment Of the most notable political gather
ing since the sound OF warfare died away
from your borders. / know those gathered
represent the people. Farmers are repre-
Sented by farmers, professions by professions,
the colored people by their own color and l
say that it Is more nearly representative
gathering Of the people than this capitol has
ever seen. You represent men who actually
toll, not theoretically labor, who make anvils
ring, spindles revolve, and who make food
and clothing for the consumers. In 1892 we
fed ourselves upon the ambrosia Of demo-
cratic expectancy. To-day we are gnawing
the cobs OF democratic reality.
A Voice-Give us corn.
One year ago you trembled for Tom Reed
when the democrats got hold OF him. You
then shook in your shoes for sherman, To-
day the House and senate are showing what
magnificent patriots Sherman and Reed are.
Democrats have done more in few months
to injure the cause OF bimetallism than the re-
publicans have In twenty-five years. Pledged
to reform and voting out every dollar in the
treasury while they protect every blade of
government grass,
A Voice-Keep off the grass.
THE TARIFF.
Pledged to tariff reform. yet coddling hot
scotch called the Wilson bill. The Mckinley
bill might pass through the democratic fur
mace and never get scorch. The people have
nothing but Clevelandism, tempted by fish
froics and Snipe hunts Did I wish to de-
nounce the Republican party | would know
where to hit. How can tell where to hit the
Democratic party? Every position they de-
Tended In 1892 is abandoned now. They have
demonstrated that democrat is simply re-
publican out OF ONCE.
He concluded by lauding the Populst
party as the only medium of redress and
dedicating the convention TO Wisdom,
Justice and Moderation" ." The work of
organizing was concluded by electing
Oscar Parker, of Atlanta, secretary.
with the following assistants: M. d.
Irwin, DR.. E. E. Parsons, Maj. G. E. Nc
Gregor and Col. Thomas Davies.
THE COMMITTEE ON PLATFORM
The chairman requested Fl. G. Eden
field to open the convention with prayer,
which he did, after which Mr.. Branch. of
Columbia, offered resolution, which was
adopted, that the chairman OF the CON
vention appoint a committee on platform
and resolutions, composed Of one member
from each congressional district, and
that all resolutions introduced into the
conven tion be referred to that committee
with debate. c. H. Ellington was made
chairman of the committee, after Mr..
Watson, whose name had been suggested,
had declined because he could not steer
the convention proper and the side lines
at the same time.
Mr.. Ellington nominated Col. Claiborne
Snead asichairman pro TEN, and he was
elected.
Some of the delegates wanted the dis
trict delegations to name the platform
committee, and it took good deal Of dis
cussion and q call of the roll of counties
to settle that in the hands of Chairman
Watson, who named the following: G. H.
Ellington, M. |. Branch, w. r. Kemp, c.
j. Thornton, W. G. Carter, Thomas L.
Winn. S. l.. Bishop, Samuel Taliaferro,
O. r. Morris, G. White, lverson L. Har-
ris and G. w. Collins
COMPENSATORY RESOLUTIONS.
Mai. Zack Hargrove, Of Rome, moved
that a committee be appointed to prepare
resolutions condemning the Atlanta au-
thorities for arresting J. B. Osborne, the
labor agitator, while he was attempting
to make a speech at the artesian well last
fall The committee was appointed, and
when it reported In the afternoon the ar
rest was characterized as an outrage and
a suppression of free speech, which is
guaranteed by the constitution.
Another committee was appointed by
Vice Chairman SDead to report on the
fraud" in the Tenth congressional dis
trlct by which Mr.. Watson was defeated
for congress.
one of the negro delegates introduced
resolution declaring for a free ballot and
m honest count which was passed with