The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-01-29
WHIT They DID.
HENRY vINcENT'S REPORT
In "Sound Money" of the Proceed
ings OF the Committee of the
Peoples Party. Jan. II
and IS, 1896.

1--WE give IOT Lno information or our
readers the full report, made by Henry
Vincent, editor Of Sound Money! Mas
silon, Ohio, of the proceedings of the
National Committee of the Peoples
Party, at their meeting Jan. II and IS.
1895. Mr.. Vincent was a delegate from
Ohio and gave many facts suppressed By
the old-party daily papers.-Ed. Rep)
ST. Louis captures the two greatest
conventions that will be held this year.
The Republican convention June 16, and
the POpulists on July p.
The Democrats will hold theirs in the
parlOr of some down town hotel in Chi
CagO on the afternoon of July Z.
The recent meeting of the Populist
convention has proven to be notable
affair in more ways than one. 1t had
SO members of the committee present
while the Democratic committee only
numbered 50. In addition proxies were
in hand from the few absent members.
The rivalry which developed by the
principal cities of the interior foreshad-
ows an immense attendance. Dallas,
Kansas City, Chicago, ST. Louis Indian
apolis and Milwaukee all were in evidence
with special delegations and liberal in
ducements that tended to comfort the
guardians of the party exchequer to a
degree not known before in history of
third parties. This fact alone relates
its own story as to Importance of the
party III the forthcoming campaign and
the politics of the country.
We have attended great many meet
ings and conferences of this kind, but at
none of them have we to record better
feeling or more harmonious cOncensuS of
opinion in general While the presence
of SO many proxies in the hands of three
or four members at first gave rise to fore
bodings lest therein might repose some
explosive. yet it did not prove necessary
on any proposition to call role of the
members. Even on the question of set
ting the time so late in the summer there
were not to exceed three votes for an ear
ly date. On such a proposition, over
which there has been expended so wide
an expression through the press, when
the concentrated talent of the party agree
to that extent we need say no more rel
ative to the unanimity of sentiment
which prevailed
1t developed as the principal mission of
Senator Butler at conference, to be the
bearer of assurances from the silver con-
tingent of the country that the time for
united action with the Populists was fast
becoming a conviction in minds Of their
leaders, and to prepare the way for a
blending of interests lay behind his
movements all the way along. At first
his resolution declared for vacant date
but within the limits of July Z and %.
Upon this there was a spirited discus
sion, occupying several hours, and for the
benefit of the party at large, we wish it
were possible to give the burning elO-
quence and practical lessons in middle-of
the-road politics as laid down by the jun
ior Senator. 1t appealed to the practical
side of every listener, hard as it was for
some to take it at first. But when he
related the tactics under which the es-
tablished machine of his native state
North Carol:na) had been smashed by
uniting the opposing elements under one
issue and in that victory planted several
members in the national legislature, and
that without the sacrifice of single
principle in our platform, It created an
intense impression upon the members.
The resolutions as printed herewith were
the substitutes for his resolution drawn
up by Mr.. Donnelly in connection with
Mr. Butler and Gen. Weaver, which va
ried from the original only in very min
ute detail and really but a change in
phraseology.
The committee attended strictly to the
business for which it was called together
Occasionally some speaker would drift
into a discussion of platform topics only
to be called down on point of order SuS-
tanned by the house. Not only that, but
there was no discussion of or wire pulling
visible on behalf of candidates. In con-
versatiOn between times candidates re-
ceived but little attention. The over
shadOwing purpose being to make the
most of present opportunities for the par
tvs advancement, for a great convention,
open wide the doors for the increasing
elements looking to us for relief, yet to
guard well the strongholds and keep in
tact the principles upon which the con-
test must be fought Before entering up
on the matter of location for the con-
venton we will give the resolutions
passed by unanimous vote as reported by
Messrs. Donnelly. Butler and Weaver.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
Resolved, That this committee shall
now proceed to perform the duty dele
gated to it. to fix the time of holding the
second national convention of the Peo-
pies party of the United States, to place
in nomination candidates for president
and vice president of the United States
upon a platform to be adopted by said
convention.
Whereas, this committee has no right
nor does it desire to change in any par
ticular the principles of the Peoples
party of the United States; yet it believes
that in the disgraceful conditions that
now oppress the people of the nation,
crushing industry. bankrupting COM
merce, impoverishing agriculture and
concentrating the lands and bonds of the
people into the hands of few, it is the
duty of all honest men, without regard to
past party affiliations to unite and res
cue civilization from the dangers that
have ever endangered it, and
Whereas, 1t is unquestionably true that
a large majority of the voters of the ma
ton, while suffering from these condi-
tions. are aware that they have been
brought upon them by betrayal of trust
on the part of the two old parties; and
Whereas, 1t is perfectly clear that if
their votes can be brought together
and organized they can and will reverse