The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-10
THEIR BUSY DAY.
Fusion POpulists Slow in Reach
ing the Big Tent.
Reports of Committees First on
the Programme.
THE VICE PRESIDENCY
Is the Absorbing Topic of Con-
versatiOn.
Kansans Still Undecided as to
Their Course.
Platform Condemns McKinley's
Philippine Policy.
AS TO PORTO RICO.
Declares 1t to Be a Part of the
United States.
Demands the Adoption of Initi-
atiYe and Referendum.
AS TO PORTO RICO.
Declares 1t to Be a Part of the
United States.
Demands the Adoption Of Initi-
atiVe and Referendum.

Sioux Falls, S. d, May 1O.-The dele
gates to the Populist national conVen- |
tion were not all prompt in congregatlhg
at the wigwam at the hour set for con-
vening this morning Many of them had
found either the work in their commit
tee assignments, or the gossip incident
to the convention too absorbing 1of
them to get to bed early and many re-
mained abroad until the early hours OF
the morning. AS a consequence they
were slow in reaching the big tent To-
day and most of them who did reach
there in time, looked quite sleepy-eyeu
and drowsy. Those of this class were
not long however in rising to the de-
mands Of the occasion, being such as to
require early attention. The day began
with the presentation of the reports Oh
committees and from the first these
We're such as TO demand earnest atten-
tion from all present.
The day gave promise from the slarI
of being a repetition in the eSSentlal
item of weather and many delegates
We're heard to congratulate themselves
upon this continued evidence of the
favor of providence The air OF the
early morning was quite fresh under
the canvass, but the sun soon warmed
up the chilly corners rendering the tent
a very comfortable place.
The attendance of visitors in the be-
ginning of the days session was also
limited, but there was a constant in
crease until the crowd became atf.s- 4
respectable in dimensions.
There was an air of expectancy from
the beginning. the feeling being quite
general that this would be the big day
of the convention. Not only were the
reports of committees to be made, but
Bryan was to be placed in nomination
and above all the champions of the re-
Ennrt i've sides n show their hands
on the question of the vice presidency
1t was even expected that this last
named question might be brought to the
front in connection with some of the
committee reports, for this reason there
was disposition evident on the part
of all present to catch everything from
the beginning and to remain so as to
be in at the finish.
COMMITTEES REPORT.
Temporary Chairman Ringdal raped
the convention to order at 9:45. three
quarters Of an hour after the time set
at last nights adjournment.
The committee on credentials present
ed its report declaring that there were
no cOntesting delegations and recon-
mending that the vote of Missouri be
increased by two votes that of Ohio by
two votes and that of South Dakota by
three votes.
The report which was read by Cover
nor POynter of Nebraska was adopted
without dissenting vote. The minority
ANPOlA iii ElNCAiGQ last night ny OOln-
mitteeman Madden of Colorado did not
materialize.
The committee on permanent organiz-
alton reported the name of Thomas NJ
Patterson of Colorado for permanent
chairman, r. H. Curran Of Kansas, Leo
Vincent of Colorado and E. NJ Deisher
of Pennsylvania as permanent secre-
taries.
Mr. Patterson was greeted with great
applause which expanded into vOciferous
cheering as he came to the front of the
platform.
In accepting the position of perman-
ent chairman, Mr. Patterson commenced
by stating that he would so far as was
in his power, rule the convention with
Justice to all. He then briefly sketched
the history of the POpulist party and
the causes which led up to its organiza-
tion.
THE school of Hamilton, the school
Of doubt of the ability Of the people to
govern themselves" continued Mr..
Patterson, has completely dominated
the councils of both the Democratic
and the Republican parties. The PeO-
pies party was constituted to restore
the landmarks of our fathers, to take
up the struggle where the Democratic
party had left Off to prove that these
people are capable Of government
and that laws should be made for the
people by the people and protect the
rights which the mere existence of the
individual can be conferred on him.
J. AAG HAlEeAiNNA save Il snort history OF
the financial legislation of congress
during the last administration of pres
ident Cleveland to that of President
Mckinley During this controversy
he said, "the seed of the Peoples party
which had been sown in 1892. began fd
bear fruit That party believed then
and believes today, in the right of thz
people to control the issue of their ovr
currency without dictation of Wal
street" He then gave a history of tbs
early success of the Peoples party, and
went on:
ITO check the progress of the Peo.
pies party throughout the south the
Democrats of that section incorporated
into their own creed the Populist.
truths and embodied in their platform
OF 1886, all the cardinal principles Of tn,
Populist platform of nearly four year.
ago.
The Democratic party in 1896 nomi
mated Mr.. Bryan and later the People
party nominated Mr.. Bryan It has beer
said that we showed wonderful mag
nanimity in choosing the avowed can
didate Of another party. 1 say no. Th,
Feople's party would have been false I,
all ITS aNowed principles had it nomi
mated any other man than Mr. Bryan
we never surrendered our rights as ;
party We never could have nominate,
any other man."
Rounds of spplause greeted tn