Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-05-10
Daily kennebec Journal.
IN CONVENTION.
CONTINUED from page ~

,rbotber the party is to live for glor-
ions future or to die an ignominous
death. TO light anew the fires of hope
in the breasts of the people who have
heretofore followed our flag or to
sound the death knell of the aspra-
tions of those who have labored long
in the cause of reform. l think your
answer will be that the Peoples party
is horn TO live and not to die. The
chaotic conditions which now con-
front us and our party were brought
about by officeholders and office seek
ing politicians who were willing to fuse
the life out Of our party in order that
they might obtain petty office with its
emoluments The folly of 1896, when
we became the tail of the Democratic
kite. has brought us to the verge of
disruption and the only thing, today,
that can avert the disaster is a Stright-
forward course of independent action.
At the fore front of these stands the
financial question. one of our great
mistakes has been in accentuating our
demand for the free coinage of silver
to such an extent that the Democratic
party took it up as their battle cry
and thus produced confusion in our
ranks. when in fact it is one of the
least of the reforms which we seek.
Another great question and one which
has been met by almost every civilized
nation of the globe, except one, is the
question of government ownership of
railroads. A great deal is being said
in an academic sort of way about the
best methods of controlling and sup
pressing the trusts, but so long as We
maintain our present system of private
ownership of railroads the trusts will
flourish. One other issue which l con-
slider greater than all the rest. 1 refer
to the principle of direct legislation.
Our great fight should be for the great
system known as the initiative and
referendum, under and by which the
people can demand the right to vote
and settle these great questions"
Organization was completed by the
selection of temporary secretaries and
committees.
- In response to loud calls, Ignatius
" Donneily of Minnesota, made his way
to the platform. He was greeted with
enthusiastic cheers. Mr.. DOnnelly
felicitated the national committee on
its success in bringing together such
body Of delegates, saying: There is
not a fusionist in the whole gang. The
future success of mankind hinges on
this movement of ours
He then reviewed the history of the
Peoples party movement. The ccncus
of 1890, he declared. was the cause of
the formation of the party. That CEN
sus. he added, revealed the fact that
three one-hundredths of per cent of
the people owned one-fifth of the
wealth Of the Countrywide outcome of
the first 100 years of this republic.
Mr.. Donnelly reviewed the repeal of
the Sherman act ard declared that at
the next election following the repeal
the Democratic party was only the way
TO the "bOneyard."
The POpuists gained immense
strength in many states. Then, he
SAID. was the game of the Democratic
party Sprung to seal the Populist plat
form and save itself from destruction.
He denounced Bryan and lauded
Thomas c. Watson. but declared that
the Democrats. in 1896. refused to rec
oSnize the Populists whom they only
wanted for their 100000 votes.
Ihey threw away an opportunity"
me SAID, and l want to tell you Mr..
bryan was nearer the Presidency in
1850 IMAM he ever will be again. The
spirit of 1892 is here and all we have to
40 is to renew the agitation and build
up the feople's party. to save the re-
puolc and save mankind. We are a
colnolnation of the best blood we are
oehersonlan Democrats and Abe Lin
n Republicans" Great applause).
Arter the applause had subsidized there
Nocllerous cries for Wharton
Darker of Pennsylvania Mr.. Barker
oppressed the opinion that the con-
.entloh should give itself up to bust
speak
,, i'eceSs was then taken until p. NJ.
committees then went to work
1n calling the convention to order.
I, ~, Chairman Howard referred
s - ue trouble at Sioux Falls over the
ioh OF the spoils. A delegate from
nla pointed to the big "16 to T.
ha and moved that the corpse"
iioFed from the hall. This led to
sh,.. Cusslon on that issue. which was
VII py calling on A. G.. Burkhard
snaa"i 1or governor of Indiana, for
R.r,.o ne was followed by Wharton
rans" CT, Oh pennsylvania. who is re-
praatsl as the leading candidate for the
~, nomination.
Cd +h ~ on credentials report
enanr,., oliieiai list selected by Refer
ration. anu no contests. Many dele
refined e not full The committee
mort All ,ecoghlze proxies. The re-
stead &c "s Kansas only two votes in
egatos DIS there We're only two del
was ~, When the proxy test
Of K,r. on Nansas. r. NJ. Chenault
sa; Hsansas, made a speech in vbio,, W. ~
tha. chairman Howard conId car ~
dnmos state for President and q villa
IN ,,'SS, n followed but If st;r m,,a
ag, tne Barker. Donnelly and otber ~ n ,eu
votes ~ moving Chenault to cast a.
V cb,r Or half that of kansas az 70
sns that the delegates frnnn
Middle iin@ =. Nebraska We're not sin nr@
intarost OF the Readers but here in ERE
"'s'es' Of the Sioux FAILS fa N tne