The herald., 1897-07-07
POPULISTS CONFER
AND RECOMMEND THE PARTY'S
REORGANIZATION
The Old Parties Scored, Free Silver
Discredited and Fusion Is En-
phatically Sat Upon
NASHVILLE, July 6.-The Nation;

NASHVILLE, July 6.-The National
sembled this morning, but after several
resolutions were introduced and re-
ferred to committees a recess was taken.
Upon reconvening it was reported that
the resolutions committee would report
this afternoon. The conservative ele-
ment controls the committee and prom
ises that the report will palliate the past
and express a hope for the future. This
does not satisfy the Texans and Georg-
ians who will offer substitute.
The report of the committee on reso-
lutions provides for an executive COM
mittee of five to cooperate with the ma
tional executive committee when that
committee acts on the line of Populist
principles. This committee will act un-
til the next national convention.
The report declares in favor of a thor
ough reorganization and even by civil
districts IL necessary.
The afternoon session was devoted to
the discusiosn of an address to the peo-
pie, which was adopted. The address
is lengthy and scores both Republican
and Democratic parties, declares against
fusion, says free silver will not bring re-
lief until trusts, combines and rings are
abolished, reaffirms the platform of the
party especially as to the initiative and
referendum, and calls upon all to join in
the contest it is waging A plan for re-
organizing and building up the party
was adopted, the chief points of which
are:
10 01n Iyy nf q
national committee to be composed OF
| three members, one from each state here
represented said members to be selected
by the several state delegations. In
states not represented at this conference
the national organization committee
here created may, at their discretion,
provide for a proper representation on
! the committee.
| The election by this conference of a
chairman of national organization COM
mittee, whose duty it will be to push
the work on strictly Populistic lines and
in the interest of Populist principles and
| Populist candidates, to preside over all
meetings of the national organization
committee and to perform all other du-
ties usually incumbent on such officer.
The election by this conference of an ex-
ecutive committee of five members
whom the chairman may nominate from
the members of the national organiza-
ton committee, whose duties shall con-
sist in the work of organization and ed
ucation and who shall cooperate with
the chairman in his efforts to preserve
and extend the organization of the party
| and the election of national secretary
| and treasurer.
| We further recommend that in each
township, county and state the commit
tees be looked after by the members of
| the national organization committee,
and where necessary organized by the
election of members who are in har-
mony with the party and it's principles
| and who are in favor of preserving its
autonomy.
| We urge upon the members of this
party the necessity of more thorough
and vigorous plans of education and or
ganizaton than have been in vogue the
past two years. To that end we heartily
recommend the cooperative and club
plans perfected by the national commit
tee appointed for that purpose by the
National Reform Press a Memphis, of
which j. H. Ferris of Joliet, ILL.,, is the
present chairman.
The organization committee shall pro-
vide and apply for the Encouragement
of the committee here. constituted the
| initiative and referendum and impera-
| tive mandate, and we recommend that
| the first national convention of the Peo-
ples party shall adopt the same as a
governing law of the party in it's entire
organizatio The national organiza-
ton committee of the Peoples party
chosen by this conference shall have full
power and authority to call a national
convention of the party or to submit
any question to the voters of the party
on the referendum plan whenever they
may determine that the best interests
of the party require the same.
The organization committee with
which the terms of the plan was ap-
pointed Milton Parker of Dallas( Tex,
was elected chairman; w. S. Morgan of
Arkansas, secretary; DR.. Grove of Ala
| bama, treasurer.
The following executive committee
was appointed: A. A. Cumley, Louis
lana; Col. Peak Georgia; 1gnatius Dom
nelly, Minnesota; A. Sternberg, Kansas
l.. c. Batman, Maine.
The conference at 1920 p. m. adjourned
sine die.