Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-07-22
T0-DAY'S TELEGRAPHLC NEWS.
Ponnlist Convention.

Populist Convention.
ST. LOUIS, July 22.-No matter how
heated the proceedings of the peoples
party are made to-day, the weather
will keep pace with the disputants.
Quite an influx of newly-arrived dele
gates is noticeable at all the hotels.
The middle of the road delegates, who
followed the lead of the Texas people
and joined with them in their opposi-
ton to Senator Butler, the choice of
the national committee for temporary
chairman, held a meeting this morning
and reconsidered the action taken last
night at late hour. This morning
California and several western States
suggested in the interest of harmony
that no contests should be made against
Senator Butler, and after short but
| turbulent session in the Texas head
quarters the decision was arrived at to
make no fight on temporary chairman.
The delegates who favor the straight
out populist ticket declare that this
action was not due to any lack OF
strength, but was solely in the interest
of harmony.
The same uncertainty and confusion
prevailed about the hour of meeting of
the peoples party (populistl conven-
| ton, as about the various other matters
connected with it. The hall was prac-
tically in the same condition as to ar
engagements and decorations that it was
in when the republican convention as
sembled i'll it FIVE weeks ago. Mr.. Ig-
natius Donnelly, of Minnesota, was
early in attendance, and moved about
among the delegates chatting with them
and presumably doing missionary work
in the cause of middle of.the.road popu-
ism. Many of the delegates, setting
ceremony and dignity aside, as unbe-
fitting the weather and the occasion,
Invested themselves of coats and sat in
their shirt sleeves, tanning themselves
assiduously. The unceremoniousness
of the whole affair was further indicat-
ed by the presence of some ladies in the
seats of delegates and by the carrying
around of the youngest Coxey child
baptized by the name of Legal
Tender"
There were only three colored dele
gates present. These were from Colo
RADIO, Georgia and Kansas.
| At II o'clock there was still no sign
of an organization of the convention;
the portion of the hall reserved for
delegates was then about two-thirds
filed and there were not hundred
spectators in the galleries. Probably
one-third of the delegates were in their
shirt sleeves and many women, not
delegates, were seated among them.
At 11:5O Secretary Williams, of the
Texas delegation, stood on chair and
read kilograms from Texas urging the
delegation to stand in the middle of the
road, and urging them to walk out Of
the convention in case Bryan is nomi-
mated.
Gov. Stone, of Missouri, was at the
rear Of the platform comforting with
leading populists.
At 1887 Chairman Taubeneck, of the
national committee, raped for order.
Rev. DR.. W. R. l.. Smith, of the
Third Baptist church, offered prayer.
Gov. W. J. Stone, of Missouri, deliv-
cred an address of welcome.
He was followed by Ignatius Don
nelly, who said the eyes of the world
are on this convention. Should the
peoples party movement fail, he said,
the cause of humanity would 60 down
with it. He urged the convention to
stand together on whatever action re-
suited from the deliberations.
Mrs. Mary E. Lease was cheered as
she took seat on the platform.
Senator Marion Butler, the tempo
rary chairman, was introduced by Mr..
Taubeneck and began his address.
He charged the old parties with bring
ing the country to the verge OF bank
ruptcy and said it was time for new
party to act. He said it made no diff.
ference in the past which of the old
parties won, the people lost. Now he
declared it would be different, as the
great middle-class have put their heads
together and a wave of independence
has gone over the country.
After the appointment of committees
q recess was taken until s Q. m.
The Bryan steering committee are
still confident of bringing about Bryan's
nomination, but they have practically
abandoned the expectation of pulling
Sewall through. All the indications
this morning point to the selection of
southern populist to second place on
the ticket.