The age-herald., 1899-11-25
TO RETAIN PARTY
 ORGANIZATION
Conference of PopuIiSt Leaders
 Held Yesterday
ALL WAS NOT HARMONIOUS
Resolution Advising Voters to Partici- pate in Democratic Primaries Vot- ed Down State Chairman Grove
 Did Not Participate

At conference of the populist leaders of the state held in this city yesterday reso- lution advising the voters to participate in the democratic primaries was voted down and a substitute adopted recommending thorough organization in every county and district in the state.
 The resolution which was voted down carried with it an endorsement of the ad- ministration of Governor Johnston and the candidacy of William J. Bryan for the presidency on a simon pure democratic platform.
 A notable feature of the conference was the absence of Dr. G. B. Crowe, chairman of the populst state executive committee, who is in the city.
 Chairman Grove is opposed to disband ment. and while he had nothing to say in regard to the conference, 1t is known that he entertains some very strong views as to the nature behind the movement in which Governor Johnston is said to figure.
 The conference was held in the court house, at which were present J. H. Harris, of Chambers; G. B. Deans, of Shelby; Frank Baltzell,. of Montgomery; W. s. Foreman of St. Clair; w. T. Griffith of St. Clair; T. G: Watson, of St. Clair; l.. S. Knight, of Crenshaw; Nelson Fuller of Blob; Judge w. L. Pratt, of Bibb; s. M Adams, of Chiffon; A. B. Doke, of Chiffon; C. R. Creighton, of Chiffon; T. H. Brown, of Pike; Lee Borum, of Pike; w. s. Flem- ing. of Henry; C. k. Robinson, of Jefferson; Clarence Spencer of Jefferson; o. D. Street, of Marshall; w. M. Wood, of Cullman; L. G. Ford, of Randolph; A T. Goodwin, of Fillmore; L. H. Reynolds, of Chiffon; R. H. Fisher. of Fayette.
 w. S. Foreman, of St. Clair, was elected chairman and o. D. Street, of Marshall, secretary.
 MT. Goodwin's Resolution
 When the meeting had been organized A. T. Goodwin. of Emore, offered the follow ing resolution.
 "Flrst-In view of the conditions prevail ing in Alabama 1t is in the interest of good government that the white voters should be together politically, when such union can be accomplished by honorable means to all concerned. We, therefore, advise our pop ulist voters to participate in the democratic primaries of the pending campaign, and are opposed to the disfranchisement of any white man except for crime.
 "Second-We commend the administra- ton of state affairs by Governor Johnston as wise, progressive and patriotic.
 "Third-We favor the election of national senators by direct vote of the people.
 "Fourth-We favor American bimetalism by the free coinage of gold and silver, and a currency issued thereon sufficient to meet all business demands.
 "Fifth-We recognize in William Jen- nings Bryan an able fearless and incor- ruptible champion of the masses of the common people and the embodiment of the priciples of the pure democracy of Jeffer- son and Jackson, and that we will use all honorable means to secure his election to the presidency in the next national elec- tion
 "Sixth-We favor an equitable income tax and the repeal of the Spanish war revenue act at the earliest day practicable
 '.Seventh-We favor an early construction of the Nicaragua canal and it's control by the United States government
 MT. speer's substitute
 N. B. Speer, of St. Clair, offered the fol- lowing substitute for MT. Goodwyns reso- lution:
 Resolved By the populists of Alabama in conference assembled in Birmingham Mo- vember 24. 1899:
 "First-That we earnestly recommend a thorough organization of our party in every county and district of the state.
 "Second-That we insist that our state ex- ecutive committee should be called to meet at an early day to consider and adopt such measures as may be for the best interests of our party.
 "Third-In matters local, we recommend that the coutny organizations be left free to manage their own affairs so as best to further the cause and principles of the populist party"
 The resolution and substitute were dis cussed at length by a number of the lead CTS present among the supporters of the original resolution being A. T. Goodwin, of Fillmore; T. H. Brown. of Pike; J. H. Har- ris, of Chambers; O. D. Street, of Marshall and S. M Adams, of Bibb, and of the sub stitute Frank Baltzell, of Montgomery, N. R. Speers, of St. Clair and w M. Wood, of Cullman.
 Party Organization Maintained
 A number of populists present at the con- ference, discussing 'ane matter wita an Age-Herald representative, stated that 1t was not the intention of the party leaders to put out candidates for state offices next year; but on the contrary they will par tcipate in the democratic primaries. This, however they claim, does not mean the abandonment of the popuhst party or its a1,i Of VI v will be maintained.
 In local matters, however, the county organizations will be left free to act as they see fit, to put candidates of their own for county officers or support the demo- cratic nominees.
 Speaking of the campaign now in prog ress between democratic candidates, sey- eral populists who participated in the con- ference stated that their party was almost unanimous for Governor Johnston for the fa httf pvnn