The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-10-02
THE POPULISTS.
Convention of Peoples
Party Held at Boston.

Boston, Oct. 1.-The state convention
of the peoples party Of Massachusetts
was held in this city today. About
so delegates from different sections of
the state were present. DR.. P. P. Field
of Boston was elected temporary
chairman and John Weaver Sherman
of Brockton, temporary secretary. This
organization was made permanent by
a unanimous vote, and the business of
the convention was taken up.
A committee on resolutions was ap-
pointed, consisting of G. b. Washburn
Of West Wood. Maj. Henry Winn of
Maiden. Levi r. Pierce Of Lynn. e.
Gerry Brown OF Brockton, and George
L. Mcneil OF Somerville.
A resolution was referred to the COM
mittee to the effect that the populist
organization Of Massachusetts support
the candidates of the democratic party
SO long as they adhere to the princi-
pies of the Chicago platform.
Mr., johnson of Boston submitted a
resolution demanding modification Of
the election laws of Massachusetts,, so
that they would not burden the various
parties which are in the minority.
After some further discussion recess
was taken until 2.3O o'clock in the
afternoon.
When the convention reassembled,
the report Of the committee on resolu-
ton was first in order The resolutions
adopted reaftirmed the platform Of the
peoples party adopted at ST. Louis; de-
elared for an invariable dollar to be
secured by a currency consisting of a
volume of legal tender notes as stand
Q1Nd
shall be necessary to make the dollar
buy always the same average amount
OF a selected amount Of staple COM
modities. AS measure Of immediate
relief free coinage of silver was favored
at 16 to l. A tax on personal property
and an inheritance tax were favored as
were state management without profit
OF intoxicating liquors in license cities
and towns, public ownership and con-
troll of teiegraphs, telephones, lighting
plants, railways and other monopolistic
functions, the adoption of the initiative
and referendum the cause Of labor,
limitation Of the courta' right by in
junction, published records or legisla-
tive debate
1t also declares: We demand the re-
forms of our complex, voluminous and
obscure election laws, and that they be
made clear to the ordinary understand
against parties of limited number.
This section was included as the re-
suit OF statement made on the floor
to the effect that for some years the
election laws had been aimed to keep
down the small parties, to crowd them
into the larger parties, so that they can
be controlled there.
| Then came the chief discussion of the
| convention, on the question as to
| whether the party should maintain its
! independence by nominating an indie
pendent ticket or should fuse with the
| democrats. Mr.. Pierce of Lynn favor.
ed the adoption of a program similar
| to that of last year, when the populist
convention merely named a committee
to select candidates. which committee
endorsed the ticket made up by demo-
Gratis. This motion was seconded by
8. r. Washburn, although he confessed
himself at heart an anti fusionist.
Mr.. Pierce's motion was, however,
| vigorously opposed by a number of
delegates, and resulted in its being
referred to q committee of three, who
modified-it so as to read as follows:
~That the executive committee be
given full power of this convention to
make nominations or to ratify the
nominations of the democratic party,
mittee should deem the platform of
that party substantially In accord with
the principles of the peoples party"
| Although this latter motion also met
with opposition 1t was finally adopted.
II the democratic platform comedies
with the peoples party's views, the
| latter party viii support it; otherwise
| the committee is empowered to name
candidates for a state ticket