Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-06-19
M. S. PETERS FOR CONGRESS.

was verv enthusiastic and harmonious con-
venton.
The delegates met in the old opera house at
II a. m, and effected temporary organiza-
ton. Hon. P P Elder was chosen temporary
chairman, and A. E. Macoubrie, OF the Olathe
Tribune, and J. E. I4atimer, of the Pleasanton
Herald were chosen temporary secretaries.
The various committees were appointed latter
which the delegates listened to ringing speech
from Senator J. w. Leedy, of Cofey county.
The convention then adjourned till p. m.
At O'Clock, the convention was again
called to order and reports from committees
were read and adopted. We were unable to
get the resolutions for publication, but, unlike
the Republican congressional convention, the
Populists were not afraid to make a platform
for their nominee to stand on.
Nominations were next in order, and they
were as follows: R. M. Galloway, OF Bourbon
county; Sam Bishop, of Douglas; A. c. Shlnn,
of Franklin John P. St. John, of Johnson,
and M. S. Peters, of Wyandotte.
The nominees were called out, in the order
named to let the delegates know just where
they stood. Mr.. Galloway spoke for live mill
utes, and proved to the convention that he was
in full sympathy with the Populist demands,
and that he stood on the Populist platform with
both feet Mr.. Bishop made short but elo-
quent speech. Sixteen to one was his war-cry.
Mr.. Shinn's "hobby" was silver, but he ac-
cepted the whole platform
Ex-Governor St. John was the fourth speak
err. When his name was called, the conven-
ton fairly raised the roof off the house He
began by saying that he was i'll no way candl-
date before that convention or any other con-
vention, for congress or for any other office
whatever, and that he positively would
not accept the nomination. He said he had
made pledge to himself and to his God
that the rest of his days on earth should
be devoted to the interests of humanity-the
oppressed and towntrodden-and he could not
consent to allow his hands to be tied he must
be free to make good his pledge. He said he
was tied to no no party, and would never be.
He further plead with the convention to do all
in their power to obiterate all party lines, that
all who advocated the amelioraton of the con-
dition of suffering humanity might UNITE
GET TOGETHER--6g the battle to finish. He
SAID this COn111Ct is lS1l DtlWeeH Tie money
power and the common people-between the
money power and the wage-earner-and that it
was almost crime for those who are laboring
for the same goal to allow their forces to be
divided. The limit of each speech was five
minutes, but the chairman was so much inter-
ested in the grand old commoner's speech that
he forgot to call 'time," and the delegates and
spectators seemed glued to their seats, all lis
tening attentivey, frequently interrupting the
speaker with deafening cheers, and hats were
thrown high in the air. When the speaker
closed, there was another deafening roar of APP
plause.
The next (and last) speaker was M. S. Pc
tiers, who plainly stated his position saying
tina. he was in full accord with the Populist
demands; that he had been laboring along those
lines for years, even before the birth OF the
Peoples party. The speaker was heartily and
frequently cheered.
Then came the baloting. The first was an
Informal ballot, and resulted in each nominee
receiving the vote of his particular friends. 1t
was not until the eighth ballot that a result was
reached, and Mr.. Peters received majority of
the votes, and was declared the nominee. On
motion, his nomination was made unanimous.
The convention then adjourned.
~
Mr.. Peters is a man of slight build, but he
has head which indicates the possession of