The record-union., 1896-03-11

Hepburn and ]. S. Clarkson But to-
night has developed a hard fight against
Clarkson, and it is barely possible he
will be defeated. The fight, however,
is aimed more at his defeat for member
Of the National Committee than for
delegate.
The delegates are nearly all in, and
enthusiasm for Allison runs high. The
delegation will be instructed for him
for President, and the platform will be
written with the view to his standing
en- it before the nation. Jacob Rich of
Dubuque, Allison's home manager,
came here with the outline of a plat
form, but it will probably not be adopt
ed. 1t was of broad scope, and in its
place the plan now is to adopt a gen.
eral resolution calling attention to Al
lison's public record as the best plat
form on which a candidate could stand.
This viii dodge the embarrassment of
a declaration ON the currency ques-
ton, which was the serious weakness
of the Rich resolution.
CONFERENCE OF REFORMERS.
PITTSBURG, March 10.-The forma-
tion of new political party, in which
will be found the new reformers. Popu-
lists, free silver advocates, prohibition
lists, woman suffra gists, greenbackers
and others, will be attempted by a three
days conference, which began at the
old City Hall in Pittsburg to-day.
At 1925 o'clock, when the conference
opened, the audience consisted of twelve
people. Stewart, the National Chair
man, explained that the conference was
merely conference, and not a gather
ing of delegates. The principal parties,
he said, were corrupt The Republican
had been his choice, but when it bowed
down to liquor traffic he became dis
gusted. The Democratic party, one of
the negative principles, was opposed to
progress. If the Populists, Prohibition
lists, Silverites and others could get to-
gether they could accomplish every
thing.
National Secretary Daniel Swoger to-
night read the report of the Committee
of One Hundred. The full report
shows: Receipts to date from inception
of the movement, $3.50 81; expendi-
lures, SO, 100 70, leaving balance of
L cents
Secretary Swoger and Mrs. Gray read
a number of letters from sympathizers
with the movement.
John Flanagan, in his enthusiastic
talk indor5ing the movement, charac-
terized John Sherman with having ac-
complished more harm than Jefferson
Davis. Flannigan concluded by recit-
ing a poem Illustrating the times as he
sees them. The conference adjourned
for dinner.
When the afternoon session opened
twenty-seven people occupied seats in
the hall. After a few preliminaries Mrs
Maria Freeman Gray of California
spoke on the question: Can we reason
ably hope that either of the existing
parties-Republican Democratic Popu-
list or Prohibition-will, in the near
future, be able to abolish the drink
traffic and secure the general reforms
needed in the Government ?" Mrs.
Gray said that under the Republican
and Democratic Administrations cor
ruption, dishonesty and trickery have
entered the halls of justice, therefore
reform could not be expected from those
parties. OF the Prohibitionists, Popu-
lists and other minor parties, the
speaker declared. that they have flung
their banner to the breeze with the ex-
press purpose of bringing about a bet
ter condition OF the affairs of the Gov
esWnent, but as yet have not succeeded.
Mrs. Gray-a strong advocate of prohi-
bition-dwelt upon that subject at
length.
Rev. William Frost Crispin spoke
against intemperance, saying that the
extinction of this evil would suppress
polygamy, gambling and prize-ighting.
Several letters were then read, among
them those of DR.. John Stolz of Read
ing, Penn, and D. M. Grandon of the
Michigan Messenger" Mr.. Grandon
suggested ex-Congressman Joseph Sib-
ley of Franklin, John P. st. John of
Kansas, and Mayor H E. Pingree of
Detroit as candidates for President or
Vlce-President.
Another session will be held to-mor-
row.