The Wilson times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1896-19??, 1896-07-31
Populist Convention .

Sh' hO AOpulioU SOuNcuLlOu WAS
called to order by Senator Allen, per-
manent chairman, at 1905 o'clock.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr.. Will
Jams, of the Union Methodist Church,
of St. Louis.
MINORITY REPORT ON RULES.
The report of the Committee on
Rules and Order of Business, which was
made last night, was taken up for ac-
ton. The majority report had been
read last night. The minority report
was now read, the point of it being that
nominations for Vice President shall be
made prior to nominations for Presi-
dent. The majority report was ac-
knowledged by delegate Pomeroy, of
New Jersey, member of the Commit
tee on Rules. There were but three
points of difference, he said, between
the majority and the minority, the
principal one being reversal of the or
der of nominations for President and
Vice President. One of the rules rec
commended 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 delega-
tions the votes of the delegates pre-
sent should be counted prorata to the
whole number to which the State is
entitled. So, if State is entitled to
twelve votes and there were only ten
delegates present each of them should
cast one and two tenths votes. An ex-
planation was also given as to the
proposition for the selection of chair
man to the National Committee, but
the plan did not satisfy the mind of
Mr.. Ignatius Donnelly of Minnesota,
who said in indignant tones that it
seemed as if very little would be left of
the Peoples party after this convention
got through its work, except its national
organization, and he did not wish to
see that national organization put into
the hands of the Democrats, as it would
be under the proposed rule. While he
was ready to support Mr.. Bryan, if that
gentleman should be the choice of the
convention, he was not in favor of per-
mitting a Democrat to become the
head of the Populist National Commit
tee
Mr.. E. G.. Brown, of Massachusetts,
came to the stand and made short
conciliatory speech recommending the
adoption of the minority report to pro-
ceed to the nomination of Vice Presi-
dent before the nomination of President.
The minority, representing 25 States, he
said, asked of the majority that little
concession, and he hoped it would be
made. He asked for poll of the
States.
Loud cries of question" were raised
when Mr.. Patterson resumed his seat.
A delegate from Maine wished to an
swer Mr.. Patterson but the previous
question was demanded and the chair
pronounced it to be carried and declared
all further debate cut off. Never
theless Mr.. Jerry Brown, of Massachu-
sets, and eX Gov. Gibbs, of Texas were
permitted to address the convention,
both in favor of nominating the Vice
President and selecting a Southern
Populist for the office.
The roll of States was called on the
questions of substituting the minority
report giving precedence to the Presi-
Dental nomination forthe majority re-
port to proceed to ballot for President
first and Vice President next.
Mr. Skinner, of North Carolina, who
had cast IS of that States vote for the
majority, announced that he would
change that vote until good faith was
observed, and Southern Vice Presi-
dent nominated.
A scene of great confusion ensued,
which delayed the proceedings some
time. An informal count showed the
vote to be: For minority report, 730;
for the majority report, 766.
Before the report was announced Mr..
Skinner changed the vote of North
Carolina, casting the whole 95 votes for
the minority report, which was thus
adopted.
The official rotal was For the
minority report, 7S5; for the majority,
6l5.
The report, as thus amended was de-
clared adopted.
The chair announced that the Com