Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-25
coxvENr1~'s THIRD DAY.
"MIddIe-of-the-Roa Gavei-Fhn-
tasficnls.

A "NliddIe-of-the-Road Gavei-thn-
taSficnls.
CONVENTION HALL, ST LOUIS, July
A-Tbe Populist convention was called
10 order by Senator Allen, its perma-
nent chairman. at 8 minutes after 10
o'clock Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr..
Williams. OF the Union Methodist church,
Of ST. Louis.
4 aavel constructed in the State OF
Ohio out Of forty-eight different kinds OF
wood. representing every State, was pre-
sented 10 the chairman by Delegate
Ueooe. Of Ohio as a "middle-of-the-road'
eavel. aud 1t was accepted by the chair
man.
During this presentation a couple OF
fantastically attired individuals ascended
the platform. They were dressed to rep
resent the characters Of Uncle sam
and Columbia" Uncle Sam was rep
resented by a pretty. wel-known charac-
ter from Staten Island, named Lloyd, and
Columbia" was the sweet Singer OF
Arkansas" who entertained the conven-
ton yesterday with a song-Mrs. Penning-
ton The pair OF eccentricities were IN
trOluced as couple OF important char
acters" They made their bow to the
audience, and "the Sweet Singer OF Ar
kansas Immediately broke out into a
song composed for the occasion. and sung
10 an. air somewhat between Aud Lang
syne" and John Anderson, my 10, John. >
When this performance was at an end,
the States were called for the appoint
ment Of delegates 10 act on the Com
mittce q Conference with the silver con-
veuuOn When the State Of Texas was
reached the spokesman Of that delegation
declared Indignantly that Texas had no
name to present for such a committee.
VICE-PRESIDENT FIRST.
The report Of the Committee on Rules
and Order of Business, which was made
last night, was taken up for action. the
majority report had been read last night.
The minority report was now read, the
principal feature Of it being that nomi-
nations for Nice-President should be
made prior 10 nominations for President.
The majority report was explained by
Delegate Pomeroy. OF New Jersey, men,
ber OF the Committee on Rules. There
were three points of difference, he said.
between the majority and minority re-
ports. the principal one being a reversal
of the order OF nominations for Presi-
dent and Vice President
One Of the rules recommended was that
nominating speeches should be limited to
twenty minutes. and the secOnding
speeches to ten minutes. Another rule.
which was unanimously recommended,
was that where there were vacancies in
delegations. the votes Of the delegates
present should be counted pro rata, ac-
cordlng TO the whole number TO which
the State was entitled SO II State was
entitled 10 twelve votes, and there were
only ten delegates present. each OF them
should cast one and two-tenths votes
NATL COMMITTEE CHAIRMANsHIP.
An explanation was also given as TO
the proposition for the selection Of a
chairman Of the National Committee. but
the plan did not satisfy the mind OF Mr.
lgnatius DOnnelly, OF Minnesota, who
said IN indignant tones that IL seemed
tlat very little would be left Of the
Peoples Party after this convention got
through its work. except It's national or
Ganlzation, and he did not wish to see
that national organization put into the
hands OF the Democrats. as Il would be
under the proposed rule. While he was
ready 10 support Mr.. Bryan, II that
gentleman should be the choice of the
convention. he was not In favor of per
hitting a Democrat to become the head
or The POpuhgt National Committee.
(Cheersl
After the fanaucism and folly OF this
hour Mr. Donncliy continued. have
passed away We want TO reclothe the
skeleton Of the party with flesh, and If
We adopt this proposition / do not see
that sc can do H. Therefore, / am in
favor OF an amcndment TO the proposed
T.afa tYH strfH -
the chairman OF The National Commit
tee IN the hands OF the committee itself"
(ChecrsD
Mr. w. l.. Green. OF Nebraska. took
exception to Mr.. Donncily's statement
that only the skeleton OF the Populist
party would be left after this convention
adjourned
Mr. Green's remarks assumed a stin
more aggressive phase as he proceeded
and considerable confusion and frequent
Interruption from the anti-Bryan men
resulted.
Mr. Howard. OF Alabama. secuted the
imputation that the convention was not
competent TO make its own choice Of
chairman and he also Insisted that that
portion OF the rules which sent all reso-
lutions 10 the Committee on Resolutions
was gag-law. and ought 10 be voted
down IN q Populist convention.
lie, therefore. asked the convention TO
hold out the olive branch to the South
by adopting the minority report and
nominating a "midcle-of-th -the-road' man
for ce-Prcsident This done" he said.
"and we viii be in a position 10 treat with
you"
ALLEGED BRYAN INFLUENCE.
a delegate rose TO a question OF privi-
lege and protested with great yehemence
h.. tad tnfarfar.fc.. .f
oiiicials OF the convention with delegates
who rose 20 address H. He intimated that
these suboriinates were acting In the
Bryan interest. The chairman ruled that
there was no question OF privilege pre-
scented. and when another delegate arose.
directed the officers 10 make the delegate
take his seat
NJ. L. g. Brcwp. OF MASSACHUSETTS,.