The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-02-15
CHICAGO CONFERENCE
Opponents Of the Trusts Finish
Three Day Sessions.
AN EXTREME RADICALS DEFEAT,

AAhOhb Dele8ate w0nteu the DecIA.
ration Of Principles to Urge the Re-
peal of Laws Sustaining the Right
of Citizens to Private Property.
Chicago, Feb. 15.-Stormy scenes
characterized the sessions of the ma
tional antitrust conference preceding
the final adjournment last night The
climax came when Delegate Joseph
Parker, middle-of-the-road Populist,
surprised the conference with reso-
luton pledglng the delegates to vote
Tor no party that does not stand for
government ownership and the prin-
ciple Of direct legislation. The Demo-
cratic leaders interpreted this as an
attack on W. J. Bryan, and were on
their feet in an instant to block the
move. A score Of delegates took the
floor and all tried to talk at the same
time.
"You must not stife free speech
here" was shouted.
Everybody must be heard" was the
warning that came from a delegate in
the gallery.
Chairman Monnett was in doubt as
to what to do. Disorder reigned for
ten minutes, and then Chairman Mon
nett used the gavel and temporarily
adjourned the convection.
Another whirl of excitement took
place after the reading of the report Of
the committee on resolutions, when
Delegate Quinn, Of Illinois, offered an
amendment to the declaration of prin-
ciples calling for the repeal of all
laws sustaining the right of
citizens to private property, with
view to giving every citizen
free home. A long wrangle ensued
over the disposition of the amendment.
Captain w. P. Black, Tom L. Johnson
and others appealed to Quinn to with
draw the amendment, but he refused.
After much discussion, during which
Quinn was denounced as q disturber
by delegates on the stage, Chairman
Monnett put the motion to adopt the
report. He was in doubt and two bal
lots were taken. Finally he declared
the report of the committee adopted,
and the ruling caused thunder of dis
approval. Delegate Quinn during the
uproar appealed from the decision Of
the chair and his motion was seconded.
The vote was put and Chairman Mon
nett was sustained by large majority.
A strong attempt was made at the
conference yesterday to offset the par
tisan effect of the resolutions adopted
Tuesday denouncing the pending cur
rency bill. Frank s. Monnett, perma-
nent chairman of the conference, made
a speech. in which he declared that
the movement for public ownership OF
public utilities was carried on by the
Republican party, as well as by the
Democratic party. I'm the Republican
northwest" said he, "65 per cent OF
the public utilities are owned by the
public, whereas in many southern
Democratic states less than per cent |
are 80 owned. / would remind the |
that Ohio, which is the |
state Of the president, is also the state
Of the author of the Sherman anti |
trust act. II we have Attorney Gen.
eral Griggs, we also had an Attorney
General Olney."
The convention was enlivened also
by an attack by Prof. Bemis on uni
persities whose endowments come from
trust magnates." 1.-THE professors In
he institutions" said the ex-professor
If political economy at Chicago uni
Versity, do their best, but cannot
overcome this handicap" As remedy,
re advocated the establishment
through the state legislatures Of chairs
n state universities devoted to the
'tudy of the trust question.
A number of set speeches were heard
It the morning and afternoon sessions,
md the night session, which wound UP
he three days conference, heard as
many of the remaining speeches that
lad been prepared as could be read in
he time that was left.
When 1t came to the election of Of
cers M. L. Lockwood was unanimous
y elected president of the national or.
anization. For secretary the name of
H. Wentworth, Of Chicago,
vas presented in addition to that Of
I. B. Martin. Of Washington, who was
by the committee report.
fr. Martin received only % votes, and
hen Mr.. Wentworth's election was
made unanimous C. r. Bride, of
was elected treasurer and
'. B. Fleming, Of Kentucky, financial
The following committee was ap-
ointed to bear the protest Of the con-
ention against the passage Of the
lrrency bill to Washington: W. B.
leming, Hon. William Sulzer, Hon.
gorge Fred Williams, Mrs. Helen
ougar, F. R. Ridgeley, Willis J. ABB
,tt. T. Carl Smelling. Judge William
rentiss, ]. B. Weaver, J. r. Sover-
gn, w. H. Harvey, ]. B. Romans, J.
:. Wilson, Hon. John J. Lentz, M. G.
'etmore and Hon. Charles A. Towne.