The San Francisco call., 1896-07-29
The st. Louis Platform and
Nominees Half-Heartedly
Endorsed.
STATE OFFICERS NOMINATED.
Free Coinage and the Government
Ownership of Railroads Are
Advocated.

INDIANAPOLIS, IND, July 27.-The
efforts of the Indiana Democratic leaders
to induce the State Populist Convention,
held to-day, to fuse on the Democratic
ticket, were defeated by an overwhelming
majority. While only $50 delegates were
present out of 1400 expected, it was ar
ranged in some manner so that votes were
cast for the absent ones.
When the convention was called to order
this morning, N. T. Butts was made tenn
porary chairman, and after the appoint
ment of committees, recess was taken.
On reassem bling in the afternoon, Mr..
Landers, an indianapolis Democrat was
recognized and made speech, saying that
if the Populists would indorSe the Demo-
cratic ticket, they would be given repre-
sentation on the legislati We ticket. and this
would insure a free silver Senator from
Indiana. After Mr.. Landers had finished,
the permanent chairman, DR.. Motsinger,
said he did not consider it wise for the
Populists to allow their party to be swal-
lowed up by the Democrats or any other
political body, and urged separate ticket.
After much discussion, Delegate Wall
ters of Clinton County read dispatch re-
ferring to the Tennessee Populist conven-
tion, and moved that message be sent to
the Tennessee Populists saying that In
diana indorses the work of the st. Louis
convention and the nominees there
named. A scene of great confusion fol-
lowed, but Walters motion carried 389 to
397. This was great victory for the mid
dle-of-the-road men.
Chairman Motsinger thanked the con-
vention and said: "There are enough
Populists here to snow under all the fu-
sionists in Christendom."
The platform was then read and adopted
with practical unanImity. Itreaffirms de-
votion to the essential principles of the
National platforms of 1892 and 1896, de-
clares that our National affairs have
reached crisis threatening the life of the
Republic, and says the contraction of the
National currency is the principal cause
of financial ills. The unrestricted coinage
of both gold and silver is demanded on
equal terms at the present legal ratio of Is
to 1, without waiting for the consent or
concurrent action of foreign powers; also
the indiscriminate use of both the metals
in paying Government obligations, which
by law are paid in coin.
Government ownership of railroad,
telegraph and telephone lines is favored,
demanded granting the privilege of direct
legislation through the initiative and
referendum.
The platform concludes with the de-
cIaration that 1.-THE Peoples party of In
diana is emphaticaIly in favor of main
tanning its organization, National, State
and local."
The State ticket nominated is follows:
Governor, Thomas A. Wadsworth; Lieu
tenant Governor, A. P. Hanna; Secretary
of State, Silas M. Holcomb; Auditor, N.
M, jennings; Treasurer, ]. F. S. Robin
son; Attorney General, T. D. Fernandez.
1t was after IL o'clock this evening when
the convention took up the mooted ques-
ton OF what it should do about the Presi-
Dental electors. A. j. Johnson offered
resolution that the convention appoint a
committee of one from each district,
clothed with full power to act for the
party. As Johnson was one of the leaders
OF the middle Of the-road" faction, it was
spposed that this would go through with
out friction. J. W. Newbern offered q
substitute doubling in size the committee
and giving it full power to arrange a
fusion of electors in filing vacancies on
the State ticket and fusing on Con-
gressionaI and legislative tickets. Then
wrangle started which lasted until
O. clock Wednesday morning. 1t was
ended by the adoption of Johnson's mo-
tion referring the matter of electors to
committee of thirteen with power to act.