The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-19
PoPULISTS MAKE A PLATFORM.
DELEGATES TO THEIR NATIONAL
CONVENTION SELECTED.

A Resolution Inviting Gen. CONey to
Address the Convention Adopted
and Then RecOnsidered-TwO Ne
ErOes Among the Delegates TO the
National COnvention-TOm Watson
Elected by n Unanimous Vote.
Atlanta. Ca. Dec 1s.-Chairman Tom
Watson, leader of the populist forces in
Georgia and a possible candidate for hon
ors on the national ticket soon to be put
in the field, called the state convention
of the peoples party to order in the
House Of Representatives at noon to-day.
The hall was crowded with delegates from
the rural districts, all wearing flaming
red badges, probably signifying that they
are out for blood this year. Last year they
wore blue badges. After the campaign
the populists felt so chilly that they de-
cided to change the color Of their en-
blem, hoping TO bring a change Of luck
with it.
Judge James K. Hines, the erstwhile
candidate of the populists for the guber-
material chair, was chosen chairman of
the convention, and Mr.. Watson hand
ed over the gavel to him, though he con-
tinued throughout the meeting to occupy
one of the two chairs on the stand, pre-
senting a picture of the two Dromios in
q political role.
The object of the convention was to Sc
lect delegates to the national populist
convention. The first thing sprung, how
ever, was a scheme to have the next ma
tional convention held in Atlanta Maj.
Joe Blanc of Cedartown made a motion
that this invitation be extended, but it
appeared that he was not on the inside
with the machine for Mr. Watson's
immediate followers opposed the scheme
and in the end had their way.
Maj. McGregOr got upon a chair and
moved as a substitute that the question
of inviting the national convention to
Atlanta be left with the delegates to the
The districts were then divided off for
the purpose of nominating the delegates
and naming members of the platform
committee. At the same time the dele
gates were Aolled on the question of in
viting the national convention TO Allan
Ia The matter was finally left with the
state executive committee.
The reason the leaders opposed an invi-
tation being extended by the conven-
ton was that it is uncertain whether At
lanta wants ii or not. The populist lead
ens say that there is every reason to be
leve that the convention would come to
Atlanta if the city wants IL and they pre-
fer TO let the city express its sentiments
and come up with a bid before the popu-
lists of the nation are asked to come in.
One hundred and thirty-five of the 1877
counties of the state were represented
in the convention by delegates, some
counties sending up large delegations.
Among the delegates were a number of
negroes, who We're made a good deal of,
Rev. Walton, a negro member from Au-
gusta, placing the name of Tom Watson
before the convention as a candidate for
delegate-at-large Rev. Walton and an
other negro were also made delegates to
the national convention from the state at
large.
to bring the colored brother into the fold.
The delegates from each congressional
district took up a collection to be used in
helping Mr.. Watson defray the expenses
of his contest against Maj. Black. The
money was taken up during a short recess,
visitors in the galleries dropping their con-
tributions into hats held out by delegates
below, on the floor.
The delegates to the national conven-
ton chosen are as follows
First DiStrict-W. r. Kemp, r. L. Moore,
d. c. Newton and H. G. Edenfeld.
Second District-M. A. Baldwin, II T..
Eastman r. d. Carr and John A. Sibley
Third District-F. d. Wimberly, ]. ID.
MCGEE. j. G. Pagan and Allen Kenyon.
Fourth District-Thomas b. Davis. AL
bert Harris, w. F. Cosby and f. ~ Cobb.
Fifth District-M d. Irwin, Edward L.
Sutton, w. J. Campbell and S. NJ. ITALIA
Sixth District-A A. Murphy, w. f.
Smith, DR.. Glover and DR.. /. l.. Gunter.
Seventh District-A. /. Fulwood, s. B.
Austin, p. H. Larey and J. d. Cunning
Eighth District--J. H. H. Brown. w. Fl.
Roberts, J. w. Bellows and A. J. Owens.
Ninln DlSlElCl-l4. r. sell, Is. ii. Brown.
Thomas Il. Winn and DIR. j. A. Parson
Tenth District-Messrs Cartledge, Nc
Gregor, Cannon and Branch
Eleventh District-John w. Hagan H
", Reid, d. NJ. Buchan, and w. w. Ben
nett.
The selection of delegates from the
state at large was entered upon. Rev
Walton, a negro from Richmond county
in very eulogistic speech. nominated
Tom Watson, and he was elected in the
midst of great applause. The other dele
gates at large are W. Y. Carter Of Hart :;
Judge Hines. w. Mccarthy, of Polk !;
J. B. Osborne of Atlanta; Rev e. B.
White, negro minister from Columbia
and j. NJ. Twitty of Hall.
Mr.. Carter of Hart moved that four
names be added to the delegation from
the state at large, and the motion was
carried. Mr.. Carter thought that more
than one negro should be in attendance
on the convention, and nominated Rev
.. T. Walton of Richmond, who had NOM
mated Mr.. Watson. He was elected
Carey J. Thornton, c. +. Ellington, and
DIR. w. II. FELTON, were also elected.
The convention met again at 5 o'clock
and received the report of the platform
committee. 1t was adopted unanimously
without discussion, and the meeting then
adjourned sine die. The platform is in