The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-05-10
MIDDLE OF THE RoADERs DEMANDS.
and Referendum and Government
Ownership Of Public Utilities.
(By the Associated Press.)

Cicinnati Ohio May 9.-National Chair
man y. Clem DeayeT called the convcn~
ton of the Middle of the Road POpulists
to order al 1:50 p. m. He introduced
Mayer Tafel, who welcomed the dele
gates to Cincinnati III q brief speech in
which he gave expression to what the
delegates were pleased to interpret and
applaud as Populist sentiments. On the
part of the delegates Prof. J. A. Boyse, of
Nebraska City, Neb.. thanked the mayor.
When Chairman Deaver raped for or
der there were on the floor Of the opera
house 470 men and women occupying del
egates' seats, and - people in the gall
lerics.
Chairman DeGver announced that the
National Committee had recommended
the selection of former Congressman NJ.
". Howard, cf Alabama. for temporary
chairman. The convention unanimously
ratified that recommendation. Mr.. How
ard was received with much applause.
He said:
We have reached crisis in the his
tory of the Peoples Party. BY your ac-
ton today you are TO determine whether
The party is to live for glorious future
or TO die an ignominous death and il l
make nc mistake that answer will be,
that the Peoples Party is born 10 live
and not TO die. The folly Of 1896 when
we became the tail of the Democratic
kite has brought US TO the verge Of dis
ruption and the only thing today that
can avert that disaster is as straightfor
ward course Of independent action. We
must adopt such platform Of principles
as will appeal TO the millions who are
seeking for a solution of these great
questions which confront us. At the
forefront of these stands the financial
question. One of cur great mistakes
has been in accentuating our demand for
the free coinage Of silver so that the
Democratic party took it up as our bat
tie cry and this produced confusion in
our ranks. A greater issue than this is
the raper currency issued directly by the
Government Itself. Let us plant ourselves
firmly upon this proposition and while
not abandoning the cause OF silver, let
us go forward to the more advanced
and more logical position. Another great
question is Government ownership of
railroads. The present system builds up
and maintains trusts Along with this is
the Government ownership of telegraphs.
Under Government ownership in all other
countries telegraph tolls have been re-
ducCd more than one-half The city
should own it's street car lines, it's cleo
trio lights gas and water wCrks-in fact
all public utilities should belong to the
people, instead of to the favored few.
All talk of controlling the trusts is mere
nonsense.
Il believe that whenever any line OF
industry becomes a monopoly the only
solution is for the Government to con-
troll the monopoly and to use and operate
it fer the benefit of all the people. But
the greatest issue of all is the principle
Of direct legislation. We will never se>
cure government and municipal ownership
until We first arrange system under
which the question will be referred to
the people for The direct vote.
so our great fight should be made
for the system known as initiative anG
referendum under and by which the peo-
pie can demand the right to vote upon
the great questions One of the greatest
trusts today is the political trust.
To-day number of our misguided
brethren have assembled in a Western
city to deliver cur party to the Democ-
racy. Many no doubt are earnest and
sincere, but fer those who have deceived
them, who have bent the pregnant hinges
OF the knee, that thrift might follow
fawninG | have the supremest contempt
/ have no doubt that fusion will be dealt
It's death blow in this year of grace
1900"
Tumultuous cheering followed his
speech. j. G. Allen. Of Oklahoma. and
Earl Richardson, of illinois, were elected
by acclamation, temporary secretary and
assistant secretary respectively In re-
sponse to loud calls for Ignatius DonneI-
ly. of Minnesota. Mr.. Donnelly appeared
on the platform and felicitated the Ma
tional Committee on its success in bring
ing together such a body of delegates
He then reviewed The history OF the
Continued on Second Page)