Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-07
GEORGIA P0PULlSTS.
THEIR CONVENTION WAITING ON
ITS PLATFORM COMMITTEE.
DR.. GAMDRELL DISQUALIFIED.
II In Found That He Could Not Hold
the Office of Gofernor of the
CracIser state-Ani-sewaIl senti-
ment.
Iient.

gia Popu!ist Convention was called 10
order at noon to-day by the Hon. Thomas
Il. Watson, chairman OF the state Exc
cutlve Committee. and as ne mounted
the platform he was given great cVa-
ton by delegates and spectators. Inc
convention assembled in the hall Oh lne
House of Representatives of the state
Capitol. and is largely attended. Chair
man Watson made no extended remarks
as he Is reserving his speech for to-nigAts
rally OF the Populists, which VIII
take place at the City Tabernacle, ond
at which Watson viii be the central
figure.
After the completion Of the temporary
organization a recess was taken until
o'clock.
The convention reassembled at half-past
1 o'clock Judge James X. Hines Was
chosen permanent chairman. Judge Hines
was the defeated Popnist candidate for
Governor two years ago. j. l.. Sibley, OIL
Cobb. was made permanent secretary.
Judge Hines spoke briefly, declaring
that the Populists were to-day masters
OF the situation, and that their principles
would triumph unless they were very
foolish. He said he could not sc he
whole Democratic hog. and asked re
Populists mot 10 be alarmed by the
silly prating OF the foolish chairman of
the Democratic committee"
II beseeoh you" he sail, Ito put cut
a full electoral ticket for Bryan and Wat
son. 1t will not do to countenance
sewall, the Democratic nominee for
Vice-President. II we propose to fight
the national banks and great trusts we
cannot take a mah who is Identified with
both"
WITHDRAWAL OF SEWALL
Numerous resolutions were then intro
duced, all OF which were referred without
debate to the Committee on Platform.
Several Of them demanded the withdrawal
Of SewaIl by the Democrats, and took
the position that nothing would be con-
sidered in the way Of fusion on the cleo
toral tickets unless based on SewalPs
withdrawal as a condition precedent. The
Committee on Platform retired, and then
the convention proceeded TO the election
OF a full electoral ticket. Of which ex-
Congressman w. II. FELTON, was placed
at the head.
At 4 O'Clock the convention adjourned
until tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock, as
1t was reported that the Committee on
Platform would require several hours to
adjust It's differences. having struck
snag on the Prohibition question. The
Prohibitionists demand an unqualified
plank on the Prohibition question, and
there Is a very strong sentiment In the
committee against It.
The most interesting development Of to-
day was the discovery Of the disqualf-
cation Of Rev. J. b. Gambrell as a can
didate for Governor. The State Consti-
tuition provides that no person shall be
eligible for the Office of Governor who
shall not have been a citizen Of the State
FOR six years. DR.. Gambrell moved 10
Georgia from Mississippi three years ago,
and when the "middle-of- con-
tingent discovered this they We're costa
tic with joy. DIR. Gambreli had been
practically agreed upon by the leaders.
and 1t was understood that IL was Mr.
Watson's special desire that he should be
the nominee for Governor. The middle
of-the-roaders' opposed him bitterly, on
the ground that he had not been In ac-
tive afiliation with the party long enough
to justify this recognition
DIR. Gambrell Is a prominent Baptist
minister and enthusiastic Prohibitionist,
and IL was 10 catch the Prohibition
strength and unite 1t with that Of the
Populists that his name was being urged.
HINES OR PEEK.
The discovery OF his constitutional dis
oualificati ton promptly removed him. how
ever. and it is now certain that the con-
vention will nominate either Judge Hines
or w. L. Peek for Governor tomorrow.
Peek was the nominee OF the party
four years ago and Hines two years ago.
The indications tonight are that Peek
will be nominated tomorrow, and that
Hines will retire I'm his behalf.
Great preparations have been made for
to-nights rally at the City Tabernacle,
and Mr. Watson's speech tonight will
announce his campaign policy.