The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1897-02-24

the party organiZa tons. On the contrary,
l would heal over any difficulties that may
exist. The most of you familiar with
the organization of the National Reform
Press Association at Cincinnati on the goth
Of May, 1891, at which time the Peoples
party was formed, which organization has,
unfortunately, declined in membership and
interest until at the present time OF more
than 80 of the LOO Populist editors of the
United States claim any connection with
the associa alton, and not a Dozen if indeed
one, of those is in good standing with dues
fully paid as required by the constitution.
The reasons for this disorganized condi-
ton are very generally known, and it is
hardly necessary TO engage in a lengthy
discussion of them at this time. However,
for the benefit of those may be uninformed
l desire to state that the work of disinte
grafton began at Dallas, Texas, a year
ago, when the last president of the assOcia
ton was elected since which time he has
pursued a rule or ruin policy-endeavor-
ing to destroy those whom he could not
control. He has in his official capacity ar
rayed a considerable portion of our editors
in open rebellion against the constituted
party authorities and by refusing to con-
cur in the action of the last national con-
vention placed himself without the pale of
the party, and should be recognized as d
boter, if he indeed true Popu-
list.
His recent action, in arbitrarily issuing
CdlI IOI lue meeting at memphis without
hrSt having the secretary take a vote of
the executive board, as provided by the
constitution, is characteristic of his meth
DDS, and should not be tolerated by any
true reformer. If there We're no other rea-
sons this action alone would warrant the
reform editors of the country in making a
vigorous protest, if not in organizing a
new association. 1t must be very evident
to those here assembled that it is the in
tention of Mr.. Nandervoort and his friends
to read out of the party and keep out of
the press association all Populsts who sup
ported Mr.. Bryan and electoral fusion
ticket in the last campaign. If this shall
be the policy, it is one that we should not
concur in.
'Without attempting to forecast the
work of this body of editors, l will take the
liberty to suggest that We confine ourselves
strictly to business and social lines, doing
only that which will tend to harmonic all
the reform elements, instead of crea ting
strife and diSsensions. 1t should be our
duty to sustain and strengthen the ma
tional committee and regular party organ
ization, rather than lend encouragement to
the puny efforts of disgruntled individuals
to disorganize and disrupt our forces in
the great work of political reformation
which is so necessary to the welfare of our
country. To this end | trust our efforts
will be directed.''
When the afternoon session was called
to order there were fully 10 editors present
and dozen or so others came in before
adjournment. A hot discussion that ex-
tended throughout the entire session was
Immediately precipitated by a motion to
proceed with the organization of a new
national association, distinct and entirely
separate from the National Reform Press
Association.
j. A Edgerton. of Nebraska, moved to
defer action until today or at least until
some word could be heard from the Men,
phis convention, as to it's Intentions
Grand Master Workman Sovereign took a.
decided stand for immediate action
Warwick Sanderson of Nebraska. de-
clared that Paul Vandervoort is looked
upon by the people of the state as a Judas
by profession, yet he did not think it right
to desert the Memphis part of the organi-
cation because it was being led by a false
leader.
G. A Critics, editor of an Oklahoma
paper, raised storm of debate when he
suggested that ultimatum be sent the
Memphis convention, asking for division
of the offices in the national association
and favoring the submission of terms Of
peace.
At this juncture SECRETARY Roselle, who
had been handed the account of the Mem
phis meeting, read aloud to the concluding
address, in which he calls for the resign
ton of Marion Butler and ]. A. Edgerton
"Vandervoort openly insults u.s." We
hemently declared Roselle, land yet you
would supplicate him.
Soon thereafter Temporary Chairman
Vincent declared the meeting adjourned
by limitation until 9 o'clock today, and
the question of forming a new organiza-
ton went over.