The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-02-16
A STORMY CONFERENCE.
Harmony Was the One Thing Lacking
in Meeting.


Harmony" with great big question
mark in front of it brooded over the de-
Hberations of the Populist committeeman
at the meeting at Labor Temple yesterday
morning Al times the harmony" was so
noisy that you could not distinguish it
from the worst sort of discord.
1t was a great day for peoples party pat
riots, and if they fight the enemy one
half as well as they fight each other there
will be nobody else left in the state of
Minnesota at the conclusion OF the next
election
The first trouble over an attempt
to secure the appointment of a committee
to wait upon Senator Dubois and John
Lind, and invite them to address the
gathering. No sooner the motion be-
fore the house than the uproar began. 1t
was lnS1nuated by one speaker that an in
vtation to invite the barons of Wall street
to participate would be equally appropri-
ate. OF course such Sacrilege met with
storm of Kisses, but for all that it was
thought best by the fushionsts that the
motion be withdrawn although it was
great disappointment to many who wished
to hear Mr.. Lind.
tunity. The motion was withdrawn, peace
spread its white wings over the assemble
for a few minutes. and the regular order
was resumed.
The regular order in it's turn brought
forth speech from Il. d. Austin, d dele
gate from Duluth. who scored with burning
words, the mid road obstructionists as he
termed them. When he mad proceeded
this far, DR.. H B. Fay, of Minneapolis,
one of the leaders Of the mid-road faction,
got the floor long enough to ask the speak
er to define the difference OF an alliance
with the Republican party, as compared
with an alliance with the Democratic or
any other party.
Then the real fun began. Half the dele
gates seemed to rise to their feet at one
and the same time and the air was full of
hisses and cries of sit down. turn him
out" and the like. Messrs. Fay and Aus
tin held their places the floor through
out the turmoil, and the doctor waved his
hands in the air and shouted something
which was not heard because of the noise.
Finally quiet was being restored voice
was heard to say, referring to Or. Fay:
Don't mind him; he's only a Republican
colonizer, anyway"
Il know that by the cut of his jib,''
the quick response of Austin, and the
house applauded vigorously.
1t was evident from the beginning that
the fusionists were in a majority so far
as the conference meeting was concerned,
and soon after this incident the mid-road-
ers began leaving the hall, and matters
proceeded smoothly for the balance OF the
MEETING IN DETAIL.
The meeting of the state congressional
ard county committeeman at Labor Temple
in the morning called to order by
Chairman Gibbs, of the state committee, who
delivered a few remarks outlining the work
of the convention, paying especial attention
70 the necessity of uTgani.atio and the
collection of funds to prosecute campaign
work Naturalization also came in for
few words, and active work in that line
was recommended Mr.. Gibbs pointed to
the growth of the Peoples party, and de-
clared that it was gaining more rapidly
now than ever before. The usual Populistic
sarcasm about the sharp edges of the Nc
kinley brand of prosperity" was received
with applause by the convention.
In discussing the regular order of busi-
ness Mr.. Gibbs took occasion TO commend
the lodge of Patriots of America. the secret
political order instituted by Coin" Harvey.
Treasurer II. A. Swain explained the
finances of the party showing an indebted
ness of about $50, in addition to an old debt
amounting to about $50, left over from a
former committee.
State Committeeman DAILY then suggested
collection, and began The good work by
tossing a dollar upon the platform. This
proceeding appeared rather dangerous to
those in front. who feared that poor shot
might catch them the side of the head,