The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-07-25

Va OuCiI tSOutti letOS Is as well
as the prohibition of private land monop-
oily and alien ownership. Free homes for
all bonafide settlers on public lands with
no exception in the case of Indian reser-
vations when opened for settlement are
demanded. Direct legislation through
the initiative and referendum under
proper safeguards is favored also the
election of President, Vice President and
Senators by direct vote of the people.
The recognition of Cuban independence
is advocated and home.rule in the terrific
ries and District of Columbia favored:
also the employment of idle labor on pub
lie works. Government by injunction is
condemned as well as the wholesale dis
reimbursement practiced in some States.
In conclusion, the financial question is
recognized as the paramount issue of the
Presidential campaign, and the aid and
cooperation of all organizations and citi-
zens agreeing with the Peoples party is
cordially invited
At the conclusion of the reading of the
majority report CoXey, of Ohio, read his
minority report recommending the issu-
ance of non-interest bearing bonds for
the Improvement of the roads of the
country.
Mr.. Kirby, of Texas, was then intro
duced to read his minority report. He
said he objected to the majority report
because 1t was too prolix and because it
was too near making Il Democratic plat
form.
On motion of Mr.. Kelly, of Kansas, the
previous question was ordered. All the
amendments Were laid on the table and
the platform as reported by majority of
the committee was adopted, not without
y few cries of dissent.
The States We're called for nominations
tg.,. l..
called, Col. p. G.. Bowman, mounted the
platform and placed in nomination Bar
ney Gibbs, CT Texas. Before he entered
upon his speech, however, the convention
decided to take a recess until D. IN.
The nomination of candidates for the
Nice-Presidency was commenced as soon
as the convention reassembed at $50.
The name of eN-Congressman Tom Wat
son, of Georgia, evoked much enthusiasm
when it was placed in nomination by Con-
gresham Howard, of Alabama.
EN-Congressman LATE Pence made "A
stirring speech nominating ..Sewall He
was interrupted ut times by misses.
The chairman of the Maine delegation
made an emphatic protest against Sewall,
declaring that the railroad with which
Sewall was connected had reduced wages.
Throughout the evening the BRYAN
managers had been comforting OH the re-
port that Bryan had sent a telegram de-
Ginning to accept nomination unless
Sewall also was nominated. 1t was ex-
pected that Patterson, of Colorado, would
make the announcement on the floor, but
he was persuaded not to do So
Other names placed in nomination were
those of Congressman Harry Skinner, of
North Carolina, Hon. A. l.. Mimms. of
Tennessee, Mann Page, of Virginia, ana
Burkitt, of Mississippi.
When IL became apparent that Watson
lacked but few votes of nomination.
Texas changed her 103 votes to Watson.
Other States followed suit and Mr.. Wat.
son opponents for the Vice Presidency
Withdrew in his favor. The nomination
was then made unanimous.
Great enthusiasm prevailed. \ process.
sion of delegates paraded around the hall.
hurrahing wildly. In the midst of the
demonstration the lights went out and
there was great confusion. The shouting
of the crowd and the playing of the band
continued while the hall was in total
darkness
Arkansas started of with - votes for
Watson Tom Patterson, of Colorado, cast
the 10 votes of his State for Sewall. amid
a round of applause from the Bryan men.
Indiana gave her 30 votes to Watson.
Kansas gave Sewall 50 of her 90 votes.
Louisiana gave the bulk of her vote to
Watson. Maryland divided her vote he.
tween Sewall and Watson. 1t looked as if
Watson might be nominated on the first
ballot until North Carolina cast her 80
votes for Skinner.
This split up the large delegations.
Texas changed her vote to Watson and
there were other changes in favor of the
Georgian. Colonel Burkitt, of Missis..
sippi, went to the stand and withdrew his
name Then Mimms withdrew in Watson's
favor. The Georgian ALREADY had votes
enough to nominate but the vote of Ten
nessee was finally transferred to his col.
nmn. Some one made motion to make
the nomination unanimous and it was
carried with Il whoop. immediately the
middle of the road - men grasped their
banners and started demonstration. but
suddenly without warning the lights
went out and the convention was left in
total darkness.
Then some one called attention to the
fact that the nomination of Watson was
announced at sixteen minutes to one.
This tickled the middle OF the roadn
men..and they shouted "Hurrah, hurrah,"
then yelled ''16 TO ~
y few minutes later the lights were
again turned on and after quiet was re
stored Congressman Howard of Alabama,
moved an adjournment until o'clock to-
morning and the motion was
carried.
BRYAN WILL NOT ACCEPT.
1t was stated by number of delegates.
who had seen the kilograms from Jones
to Bryan and the reply, that Bryan
would not be nominated. The course to