Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1896-07-22


iabout the hour f,r the meeting Of the
pc ,ple's party's (populIsl) conven ion
as there did about the vsrious OIL or
matters connected with II. Ten o'clock.
and then III O'Clock and then moor
were in turn publicly gwen ou. as the
hour for meeting. At the earliest Of
those points of time, not fifty delegates
were assembled In the convention hall.
An hour later, the number was doubled.
The hall is practically 10 the same con-
dition, as to arrangements, decora-
tions, etc as 1t was when the republi-
can convention assembled In 1t, five
weeks ago, except that the pictures Of
Washington, Grant, Sherman and
others have beer taken away. The
place that had been reserved tor the
chairman, secretaries and other off,
cials and celebrities ON the stage was
absolutely unproyided with tables,
chairs or enY other part Of
the necessary furniture on such
occasions. The reason for this naked
ness In the most important and conspic-
uous place of the hall Is past finding
out. At IL 80 O'Clock, this morning,
the first motion made In the line OF
providing accommodation for the
chairman and officers was by placing
in one corner OF the stand table bear
ing large glass pitcher Of ice water,
and couple OF glasses. There, how
ever, it stopped. Soon after this, some
workmen hung over the railing of the
galleries fair-sized picture of Lincoln,
draped in an American Aag The
sight of the portrait drew out the first
manifestation of applause or interest
in the convention that had yet been
given. At IL O'Clock there was still
no signs of organization. The portit
of the hall reserved for delegates was
then about two-thirds filed, but there
were not 100 spectators In the galleries.
Probably one.third Of the delegates
were in their shirt sleeves, and many
women, who were not delegates, were
seated among them. +
just at noon, three additional small
tables were placed on the chairman's
stand, and few cane back chairs were
set alongside. At 1915, members OF
the populist national cominittee took
their seats on the platform, with them,
Senator Butler. Of North Carolina;
Ignatics Donnelly, of Minnesota; ssCy-
clone" Davis, of Texas; Senator Allen,
of Nebraska; Gov. Stone, of Missouri
At 1898, the convention was called to
order by Fl. E. Taubeneck, chairman
of the national committee, who an
nounced that the proceedings would be
opened with prayer by Rev. w. r. l..
Smith, of the Third Baptist church of
ST. Louis. At the conclusion of the
PRAYER. Gov. Stone of Missouri. was
by Chairman Taubeneck
and delivered an address of welcome.
Hon. Ignatius DonnelIy responded
o Gov. Stones address Of welcome,
md made an eloquent appeal for
unity, closing in these Words al
TODD at the cradle of the peoples |
'arty. God forbid that should be
ere to day, to attend its funeral.
'land together, friends! Lift up
our hearts to the majesty and dig
'ity OF the duties laid upon your |
houlders. No man, however popular
II great, whose interest is worth a
cintilla, against this great party.
cheers1. We must not desert 1t.
Ne must not destroy i'll" Zap
,lause].
The chairman asked such mem bers
# the executive committee as were in
he body of the hall to step up to the
PLATFORM. Among those who thus. ad-
was Mrs. Mary Ellen Lease,
Who was warmly cheered.
Chairman Taubeneck introduced as
emporary chairman Of the convention,
senator Butler, of North Carolina.
senator Butler was received with
hree cheers, which he characterize
4s "cyclone OF patriotism He
made lengthy speech.
Senator Butler said, in part, that he
lad faith that this convention would
lot turn itself into a democratic annex
Loud cheers], or into a republican an
lex More cheers], but it would find
ts way between them, and both be
light. "What," Senator Butler asked,
hould this convention doP' and he
7as answered by one of the California
elegates, Alfred Daggett: "Nominate
straight populist candidate on pop
list platform, without reference to
that the democratic convention has
one." [Cheers
Senator Butler spoke nearly an hour,
losing his speech at 2 O'Clock p. M,
nd being complimented upon 1t by
gnatius Donnelly and other persons
n the stand.
When Senator Butler had resumed
is seat, the chairman directed the
ecretary to call roll .of the states to
anne the committee ON Credentials.
his was done. On the committee on
California is represented
Y Il. M. Wardoll; Colorado, H. t. 7
ale; Oregon, A. B Craftj New Mex
20, T. B. Mills. On motion of Ig-
atins Donnelly, the convention took
recess till 3 O'Clock p. M, to enable
le committee on credentials to report.
After the recess vote, the conven-
on resolved itself into an informal
lass meeting. Congressman Howard,
Alabama, who will be remembered
8 having introduced the resolution to
npeach President Cleveland, spoke
,r ten minutes. He made bitter at
lck' upon the democratic party, and
dvocated standing on an independent
cket. Hs was followed BY other speak
re-, who urged the maintenance of the
eople's party issues, frat, last and all
he time.