Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1896-07-30

After prayer at the opening session the
next day Chairman Allen introduced Mrs.
Marion Todd, of Michigan, noted Pop
ulists worker, who spoke briefly and paid
tribute to the memory of Mrs. Il. NJ.
Emory. A. A. Noe. an Ohio delegate,
presented to Chairman Allen a gavel con-
tanning sixteen ounces of silver and one
ounce of gold The wood of the handle
was hickory. After this presentation
a novel incident occurred Capt. q. \.
Lloyd, of Rochelle y. y. and Mrs. Pen
nington, the sweet singer Of Arkansas"
marched into the hall dressed in the cos
tune of Uncle Sam and Columbia. They
made their way to the platform amid
cheers and faced the delegates, while
Mrs. Pennington sang Populist cam
paign song. After several minor incl
dents had occurred the regular order was
taken up, which was the reading of the
minority report of the committee on
rules. 1t recommended a change in the
order of making nominations, so as to
mako the nomination or Vlce-presldent
before that of president. This was a
move of the middle of the road men to
defeat Sewall, and thus develop strength
TO down the Bryan men. Delegate Nc
Grath, of Illinois, promptly moved to lay
the minority report on the table. Con-
gresham Howard and Barney Gibbs, of
Alabama, demanded 10 be heard on the
motion. The plain purpose OF the
straightouts was to test Sewalrs
strength. The proposition would show
the extreme high-water strength of the
anti-Bryan men. There were number
OF redhot speeches and a deal or par
liamentary squabbling, and the delegates
were wrought up to the highest pitch or
enthusiasm by the speakers before the
roll call of the states was taken, and IL
was followed with intense interest, and
when it was announced that the minority
report had carried 7S5 TO 6l5 bedlam
broke loose. and the anti-Bryan crowd
held big tollihcation then and there.
Gen. j. Il. Weaver, chairman of the
committee on resolutions, was then recog-
nized TO read the platform. as agreed
TO by the committee. He was received
with applause. The epunciation of the
different pianks was received with slight
applause. which would evidently have
been greater but for the fact that Gen.
Weaver declared that he would not pro-
coed unless there was absolute silence.
The applause was especially marked,
Notwithstanding Mr.. Viewers frown,
upon the announcement for free coinage
OF silver against Understanding bonds
and denunciation OF the position of the
present administration on the bond ques-
ton. When the Cuban plank was reached
someone in a faraway gallery shouted
"AmenE' and many handkerchiefs waved
In manifestation Of the conventions in
terest in the cause OF the struggling ISL
anders. Mr. }. CoXey, OF ohio, was recog-
niZed to read his minority report recon-
mending the Issuance of non-interest bear
ing bonds for the Improvement of the
roads OF the country. Mr.. kearby, of
Texas, presented another minority re-
port, say.rE he thought the majority re-
port too closely resembled the Democrat
platform. VIM. Nalitte, of Rhode Island.
also offered minority report which was
so entirely novel as 10 provoke the ris-
Utilities Of the delegates and was made
the butt OF much testing. Mr.. Nalitte be-
came angry and threatened to hurt some
one, but he was promptly suppressed and
escorted from the hall. on motion OF
Mr.. Kelly, OF Kansas, the previous ques-
ton was ordered. All the amendments
were laid on the table and the platform
was adopted. but with many dissenting
voices. as follows:
THE PLATFORM
The Peoples party assembled in national con-
venton reafir ms its allegiance 10 the principles
declared by the founders Of the republic and
also TO the fundamental principles OF just gov
eminent as enunciated in the platform OF the
party IN ls92 We recognize that through the
eonniVance OF the present and preceding admin
istrations the country has reached crisis In rs
ati"nal life as predicted In our declaration
four years ago, and that prompt ard patriotic
action u the supreme duty ~ The hour. We
realize that while We have political Independence
our financial and Industrial Independence is yet
70 De attained by restoring 10 our country the
constitutional control end exercise OF functions