The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-22
RESOLUTIONS


Whereas, We have seen with sorrow
and indignation the late Peoples Party
convention turned over soul and body to
the Democratic party of this state, by
the most disreputable, high-handed and
outraged proceedings tnat ever dis
graeed H. a2y political convention in the
Whereas, The following are a few of
the footprints Of the bloody trail Of
shame and Thh Tdd marked
moyements preceding it;
F1rst-Neglect or refusal to properly
call our primaries in many counties of
hour as to prevent Populists from at
tending;
second-The packing of caucuses in
hs nf mos5 ths n
many counties being displaced and over
ridden by men who We're never known
to to,y,ct ycte the Peoples Party ticket;
action Of the chairman of the state
central committee in using every device
in his power to subserve his Democratic
place he did and under circumstances
calculated to suppress a free expression
of sentiment on the part of true dele
gates and in combining and conspiring
to have our deliberations flooded by
masses of Democrats and Free Silver
Republicans. who held their conven-
tiOns at the same time;
FOurth-When the convention assem-
bled at Normanna hall and it be-
came evident that in spite of all
their tactics the true Popuists were in
trarily admitted contested delegations
to vote to capture the convention, while
excluding those who contested their
seats, thing unheard of in parliament
tary law, which holds that both should
be excluded or both seated, until the
question at issue between them could be
determined by the convention, on a re-
port Of the committee on credentials;
FIfth-When 1t was distinctly shown
in our convention that Mr.. Dob
byn. chairman of the national COM
candidate for congress N the Fifth con-
gressional district, Prof. Cation, and
was supporting the Republican candi-
date, Hon. Loren Fletcher, the conven-
tion refused to remove him, although it
had full authority tc dc so.
Sixth.--During the proceedings of the
tary rules was observed, but the chair
man arbitrarily declared motions lost
that were carried by a large majority,
were clearly in order, and to cap the
climax, denied an appeal to the house
from his rulings: and when delegates in
men and Populists, resorted to his hire
ling sergeant-at-arms, and the police Of
the city, to overawe the convention.
fa;,sH SeyenthaIhat 1a when all these tactics
INTO the bowels of Democracy, one s. NJ.
owen was brought upon the stage to
raise preconcerted personal row, to
distract and break up the convention
and divert the attention of the delegates
from principles to factional strife.
Eighth-By these means the conven-
OF Its candidates, Hon. William Mitchell
OF Winona, member Of the supreme
court, well known to be one Of the lead
ing single gold standard advocates of
the state, and who voted against us at
the last election.
Ninth-We were also forced to NOM
Canty and Buck, who, as members of
the supreme court, united with three
Republican members Of the court, to de-
clare unconstitutional the act of the
legislature authorizing the erection of
state elevator at Duluth, with the
money obtained from the farmers for
inspecting their, their wheat BY, this act
these men killed a measure that would
have been worth millions Of dollars to
the grain growers of this state and they
did this on specious and ridiculous pre-
lenses, so as TO permit the elevator ring
to continue to plunder the people, as
they have done to this hour.
..ots' NOW therefore, in view of the above
acter, contrary not simply Ito order,
decency and common sense, but consti-
tItil,s. tatirg an outrage on humanity,
foul blot and disgrace to Populism, we
deIare that we repudiate the whole pro-
ceedings Of that convention; and declare
Of the Peoples Party convention yester-
day does not express the sentiments Of
the Populists of Minnesota, and we
pledge ourselves, by our sacred honor
as men and POpulists, to redeem our
party from the control of the Demo-
cratic schemers and politicians,
We put FORTH therefore, the following
declaration of principles, and to it's sup
port we invite every honest man in the
state:
First-The Peoples Party was born to
live; and with the help of God 1t snaI,
not die.
oSecond-We regard the shortening of
the distance between the voters and the
legislators, by means o. the initiative
and referendum, as the great issue Of
the age. and as the only thing that will
save this republic from sinking into
universal sea of corruption, which cor
porationS and combines have inflicted
upon our legislatures and congress-
Resolved, That this convention in
dorses the referendum plan as a substi-
tute for old party conventions and in
structs our state central committee to
arrange the details for the future nom
ination Of candidates and making Of
platforms of our Peoples Party, accord
ing to this method.
Resolved, That we believe that the
adoption of the initiative and referen-
dunn will furnish a means whereby all
the great moral, social and economic
questions of the age, such as temper
ance, female suffrage, single tax, gov
ernment ownership. ETC., can be placed
before the people and settled by popular
vote.