Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-10

BEGINNING
Peoples Party National Con-
vention Opens With
Fine Weather.
ATTENDANCE is LARGE

Trains Are Hourly Bringing More Dell
esates and visftors-Towne Not
Well Supported by Minneso-
Observation-Disclosures
Sioux Falls, May 9.-(By Associated
Press 1.-The dawn of this, the first
day OF the national convention of the
peoples party, is entirely suspicious
as far as weather can make it and the
promise for liberal attendance OF
delegates and outside. visitors is Wis
IDLY improved by the fresh arrivals
last night and this morning. Among
| those who came in were a number of
delegates from Minnesota, Washing
ton, Missouri and Idaho. Senator Heit-
feldt, of Idaho, and Temporary Chair
man P. M. Ringdale, of Minnesota, are
among the newcomers. Some of the
Minnesotans cast damper upon
Towne's prospects for the vice presi-
dental nomination by declaring that
they are more concerned in bringing
the convention to harmonious con-
clusion than they are to secure the
nomination of anyone. Senator Petit
grew is still pressing Towne's claims.
He does not absolutely predict the
Minnesotan's nomination but he does
declare his conviction that the con-
vention will not adjourn without NOM
mating someone.
| The Nebraska delegation today de-
cided to cast it's vote against the NOM
ination by the convention of anyone
for the vice presidency, and to support
the proposition for committee on
conference with instructions to accept
| the best man offered for the place
by the Kansas City democratic conven-
ton. The delegations from Colorado,
Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Idaho, New
York and West Virginia took the same
position. The Texas delegation will
cast its influence for a nomination..
The Minnesota delegation voted to
stand by Towne. Pettigrew urged this
course. At $50 o'clock Senator Butler,
chairman of the national committee,
called the populist convention to or
/ der. The big tent, with a seating ca
pacity of 5000, was comfortably filled.
Bishop O'Gorman offered prayer, af-
ter which Chairman Butler introduced
i d.,
welcomed the delegates to the city and
state. National Secretary Edgerton then
read the call for the convention and
Chairman Butler advanced to the
front of the rostrum to formally open
the convention. His remarks were
greeted with great applause and
mediately after the conclusion of his
| Cl,; DIT y
the following temporary officers:
TIA; secretary, r. E. Bray, of Oklaho-
ma; assistants, Lee Vincent, Colorado,
and Eugene Smith, of Illinois.
Cincinnati, May 9.-(By Associated
1 Press. Shortly after / o'clock this
afternoon the anti-fusion element OF
the peoples party, otherwise known
as the middle-of-the-road populists, as
sembled in Robinson's opera house in
national convention. Nearly 700 dele
gates We're present, every state, ex-
cepting Arizona, New Mexico, North
carolina, South Carolina and Vermont
being represented. The hall was elab-
orately decorated with the banners
and notices of the party, and a pic
ture of Peter Cooper was prominently
displayed. Chairman d. Glen Beaver,
of Nebraska, called the convention to
order. After the reading of the call
by Secretary Shaker, of the national
committee, Chairman Deaver opened
the regular proceedings in a lengthy
I speech. Former Congressman NJ.
NV. Howard, of Alabama, was
then introduced as temporary
chairman. Howard, who has
been since yesterday the most
prominently spoken of presi-
dental nominees, was received with
great applause.
In his speech, Howard said: "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 divert disaster
is a straightforward course and indie
pendent action. Great problems and
NEW conditions have arisen which must
be met in calm, dignified and impas-
4 sionate way. Too long has our party
been cursed by office seekers, cranks
with wild theories, demagogues with
lalluring sophistries, and il we would
win the confidence and esteem of
! thinking men, we must adopt such a
platform of principles as will appeal
to the millions who are today seeking
! the solution of these great questions
which confront us. At the forefront
of these stands the financial question.
Right here l want to say that one of
our greatest mistakes has been in ac-
centuating 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. 1t is, in fact
one of the least reforms which we
seek"
! At the conclusion of his
speech the chairman appointed the
committee on credentials, the conven-
ton resolving itself into an "exper-
fence meeting" the object being the
Development of ideas for incorporation
in the platform. Nominations will not
be taken up until tomorrow.
YATES is NOMINATED.
Illinois Republican Convention is q
Unit on the Issues of the Day.
:. Nav, -IP1, T. 4