Abilene weekly reflector., 1900-05-17

fusionist element of the peoples
party. Since Tuesday, when Wharton
Barker, who had been selected in 1898
by the initiative and referendum
plan to head the party ticket, a
steady current against the cut-and-
dried choice of Barker and Donnelly
had almost destroyed the foundation
upon which that ticket stood. For
mer Congressman Howard, of Ala
bama, had suddenly become the idol
of an apparently winning number of
delegates, and he clinched his claims
on the presidential nomination
through his eloquent address in as
suming the temporary craftsmanship
of the convention on Wednesday.
Yesterday as the time drew near for
nominations word was quietly passed,
confirmed by Howard himself, that
the Barker following would bolt the
convention should their leader be
turned down. Owing to the fact that
the Alabama delegation could not
support Mr.. Howard, matters were
further complicated. Howard took
the only course for the restoration of
harmony. He announced that he had
no ambition TO head the ticket and
came to Cincinnati without the slight
est expectation of being named. Then
he withdrew his name. Nevertheless
when the roll call was completed on
the first ballot Howard was at the top
of the column--only few short of
the nomination.
On the second ballot, Towards
plainly stated desire for harmony took
effect, and the 10 votes which went
to Donnelly on the first roll call were
gradually worked over to the Barker
column. il being understood that Mr..
Donnely's name had been withdrawn,
although the Minnesota delegation
protested against the withdrawal.
Minnesota was passed at its own re-
quest, and when the other states had
voted it was apparent that the 4S
votes of Minnesota could settle every
thing in harmonious manner by
going to the Pennsylvania. They
were cast for Mr.. Barker and gave him
the requisite majority over all. The
generous Howard moved to make the
selection of Barker unanimous, which
was done.
Without dissenting voice lgnatius
Donnely was declared the vice presi-
Dental nominee.
After long parliamentary wrangle
the selection of national committee
men by the state delegations was COM
pleted A fresh motion was then
made by Mr. Howard that the conyen-
ton proceed to the election of ma
tional chairman, and Io A. Parker, OF
Kentucky, was declared chairman OF
the national committee by acclama'
ton. The usual vote of thanks was
declared and the convention at 4:4t
p. m. adjourned sine die.
The following is the platform
adopted:
The peoples party Of the United States
assembled in national convention thl'
10th day of May, 1900, affirming our un
shaken belief In the cardinal tenets o
the peoples party as set forth in thu
Omaha platform, and pledging ourselves
anew to continued advocacy Of thost
grand principles of human liberty unit
right shall triumph over might and love
over greed, do adopt and proclaim this
declaration Of faith;
Q) We demand the initiative and refer.
endum and the imperative mandate fol
such changes Of existing fundamental anc
statute law as will enable the people II
their sovereign capacity to propose ant
compel the enactment of such laws as
they desire; to reject such as they deem
Injurious to their interests and to recall
unfaithful public servants,
(2) We demand the public ownership ant
operation of those means of commune
cation, transportation and production
which the people may elect such as rail-
roads, telegraph and telephone lines, Goa
mines. etc.
(3) The land. including all natura
sources Of wealth, is a heritage of the
people and should not be monopolizet
for speculative purposes and alien owner
ship Of land should be prohibited. Al
land now held by railroads and Other
corporations In excess Of their actua
needs and all lands now owned by aliens
should be reclaimed by the government
and held for actual settlers only.
(D n scientific and absolute paper
money, based upon the entire wealth and
population of the nation not redeemablt
in any specific commodity but made a
full legal tender for all debts and recelv.
able for all taxes and public dues and Is
sued by the government only, without the
Intervention of banks and In sufficient
quantity to meet the demands OF com.
merce is the best currency that can be
DEVISED but until such a financial sys-
TEN is secured which we shall press foi
aoupuun, VIC 1uvur -ii- rrvv a,'u -n,,-,,
tied coinage of both silver and gold a
the legal ratio of l6 to l.
90 We demand the levy and collection
Of graduated tax on incomes and in
heritances and a constitutional amend
ment to secure the same II necessary,
| un Ne dnn1nnd the election of Drrgi,