The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-07-29
THE DEMOCRATS PLEA.
Franklin Landers Made the Author
lied Offer for a Dicker.

1Zed cner Tor a Decker
The Populists were very late in getting
under way. So few of the delegates had
arrived Monday night that the convention
could not be made up until yesterday morn
ing and they did not get at their work un-
til late. The 400 delegates lounged around
the headquarters hotel until nearly noon
waiting for word that the platform COM
mittee was ready, but it was announced
that the platform would not be completed
until late in the day. Among the crowd at
the hotel, both Democratic and Populist
leaders were working hard to obtain an
adjournment without nominations, leaving
the State and electoral ticket to be made
by the State committee on a deal with the
Democrats. While they found the delegates
willing to do this in reference to the cleo
toral ticket, they found a very strong senti-
ment in favor of nominating a straight
Populist State ticket. in order TO preserve
the integrity of the party and its organiza-
ton.
1t was IL 80 O'Clock when the committee
was called to order by, w. I. Butts chair
man of the State committee. 1t organized
by making Mr.. Butts temporary chairman
and Charles Bull. of Kokomo. secretary.
Mr.. Butts made a brief. speech compli-
menting the party upon the fact that at
least 4UU OF the l.iVO delegates contemplated
in the caIl were IN attendance. He traced
the rise of the party from the first school
house agitation up to the capture of the
Democratic party at Chicago. He referred
TO the oppression of the "pIutocratic aris-
tocracy.' He declared that the Popuiist
party was by no means swallowed up by
sired thorough union they would have left
"A place open on their ticket. He spoke of
Bryan as the ''Cincinnatus of the West"
and the convention cheered, but when he
mentioned Tom Watson, the Lincoln of the
South" the convention went wild. Some
laughter was caused by the fitness of his
ers. wise though they may be. fall upon
ears like water upon a goose's back He
closed with an appeal for money to pay the
debts of the committee. This re-
spot, which turned in about S42. The COM
mittee on credentials reported that there
mended that all Popuiists present be seat
ed as delegates. This was agreed to. The
convention then adjourned until . o'clock.
THE DEMOCRATS OFFER.
After reassembling. the convention list
ened to Franklin Landers. a former Demo-
| cratic candidate for Governor, who de-
.clared that he spoke for the Democratic
party. He pleaded with the convention TO
join the Democrats upon their State ticket.
1t would be humiliating, he said. for the
forces of silver to be defeated through
failure to unite. He was authorized to say
that in return the Democrats were willing
to divide the legislative nominations so
that both might pull together for a silver
Senator. He was interrupted by questions
as to whether this meant either Matthews
or Voorhees,. but said he could not answer
that. His speech was coldly received. and
when he finished the convention proceeded
with its business.
The report OF the rules committee named
chairman ana r. ]. S. robinson of Terre
Haute, secretary. The report left the ques-
ton of electors to be disposed of. 1t was
adopted after something of a discussion
arising from Billy Patterson's inability
TO understand it, and his fear that some
thing might be done to prevent a deal with
the Democrats on the subject of electors.
Chairman MotZinger made a speech of
some length, in which ne went over the
sypdicates. corporations, gold bugs" and
things. He declared that the Peoples party
was the only organized defender of the
rights of the people. The trading politicians
were among them right then. trying to dis
rupt their organization. This caused loud
cheering. Shall we let them do it?' he
delegates and there was quite a demonstra-
ton. He touched upon the efforts i'm GER
talk or tariff alone. and repeated the story
about the correspondence between Hanna
and Harrison. He had no faith in either
of the old parties. y portion of the Democ-
racy had turned its back upon its leader.
Grover Cleveland. and had taken up a Pop
uIist platform. The Populist were willing TO
accept Bryan, but Arthur Sewall, five times
president of a national bank and we'll
known opposer Of the poor. they could not
accept. This sentiment met loud applause.
He defined the Populist party as IAN explo-
sion of wrath against both the old parties"
lie warned the Democrats against running
the union of parties by their anxiety for
petty places. Bryan must be backed by
a House OF Representatives.. full of Popu-
lists. He ended with the statement that this
was "a Populist State convention. not a
Democratic trading. horse-jockeying. insti-
tuition" which sentiment was hailed with
wild delight. Upon the close OF Chairman
Motzingers speech. Robert Todd made a
motion that they proceed TO nominate a
straight Populist ticket. The point OF order
was raised that the platform had not yet
been adopted and the motion was with
drawn.
TEMPLETON'S DEFENSE.
The convention had nothing TO do but
wait for the resolutions committee. In the
meantime q call was made upon Leroy
TempletonJ, once candidate for Governor. !