The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-30
PLATFORM TO BE AMENDED
IN REGARD TO PUBLIC UTILITIES,
WEALTH AND LABOR.
Addresses by Chairman Parker and
New Reason for Bryan's Defeat.

organization for the purpose of discussing
their future policy. About ninety men,
bers of the national committee were pres
Snt in person or represented by proxy.
Neither Wharton Barker nor Donnelly
were here. The latter is sick and could
not come. Among those present are j. A
Parker, Thomas ]. Reed and j. d. john
son, of Kentucky; w. ID. Morgan. of Ar
kansas; Col. Frank Burkett. of Mississippi:
Tom p. Pease, of South Dakota: A. G.
Vantyne and Joseph III. Ferris, of Illinois;
]. H. Hills, of Missouri; Col. j. S. Felter.
of Illinois; Col. Thomas Wadsworth. of
Indiana and Miss Clara Williams. of West
Plains, Mo. representative of the Social
list party was present in the person of Prof
George d. Heron of Grinnell, Ia.
Chairman Parker in calling the gathering
to order made a short address, in the
course of which he said that the confer
ence was called for the purpose of con-
sidering the future policy of the middle
of-the-roaders, who stood for no compro-
mise. He believed I'm enforcement from
both the old parties and declared that the
fight should be carried forward without
any compromising. Mr.. Parker said he had
issued the call to representatives of all
branches of the Populist party, but that
the fusionists had ignored 1t entirely. The
time was ripe, he said. for great political
battle, and he desired to ask the repre-
sentatives of other reform movements to
stand with the middle-of-the-roaders and
make the principles of the latter theirs.
BRYAN NOT RADICAL ENOUGH.
Prof. George d. Heron, of Grinnell, Ia,
who had been invited to be present was
asked to address the gathering on social
ism. He said that the reason Bryan was
not elected was because he was not a
radical man; that he represented eight
eepth century philosophers; was profoundly
ignorant of mankind and of the present
political needs. Before the last election
a strange condition of affairs existed. One
third of the voters, the speaker declared.
were not sure how they should vote. They
were not in sympathy with the Republican
party. and in their extremity saw
refuge in the platform laid down by the
Democrats. The result was they did the
best they could. These voters are now
waiting for a definite, clear-cut, radical
programme of reform to be presented to
them. and this they will uphold. The real
issue in America, Professor Heron said, is
a clear-cut conflict between Industrial
democracy and capitalism or the old po-
litical absolutism brought down to date.
There is no middle ground. The only way
to obtain liberty, he said, was through in
dustrial democracy.
At the conclusion of DR.. Herron's re-
the question whether it was desirable TO
have a union with other reform elements.
and If so on what basis could they afford
to have such a union.
l.. A. Wheeler, of Iowa. declared that the
Populist party has always been loaded
with too much platform. He was opposed
to the coalition with other reformers. He
said he had assisted in organizing the
Greenback party and he had seen it as
sassinated in the house of its friends. He
declared that the labor party and other
reform movements have been killed in the
same manner and he did not favor going to
them.
Joseph Hupp. of Chicago, took up the
point made by Professor Heron, of Iowa,
that the Populists occupied a strategic
position, and for that reason he was IN
favor of continuing the work. He drew
ton and said the farmers are not yet
ready to take up socialism.
Thomas Wadsworth, of Indiana, declared
benefit the people. Mr.. Bodenheimer, of
Georgia, declared that he is in favor of
keeping up the fight along strict party
lines.
G.. A. Wise, of Wisconsin, was of the
same opinion. The majority of the speak
ers favored continued struggle for the
principles Of populism, and an address to
ment.
introduced resolution proposing several
changes in the platform of the party as
adopted at Omaha, to be submitted to a
referendum vote. After considerable dis
cussion it was agreed to. The resolution
from the Peoples Party to the "Populist
Party" The second plank of the Cincin-
natl platform is changed to read: I'VE de-
mand the public ownership of such means
ax,I {~tt H.
pie will from time to time elect" The
third proposition is to change Plank by
dropping off the last three words ''Of public
utility The fourth declares the party is
opposed to physical evolution and confisca-
ton of property. 1t declares that the fun
damental doctrine of the party is the prin-
ciple enunciated at Omaha in 1892, that the
wealth belongs to him who makes it. and
every dollar taken from labor without an
equivalent is robbery, and the party is
pledged to such legislation as to destroy
the system which makes it possible for one
man to live on the labor of another
A committee, composed of James A Fer
ris, of Illinois; Frank Burkitt of Missis-
sippi; J. NJ. Pease, of South Dakota: W. s.
Morgan, of Arkansas; j. s. Felter, of ILL.,
nois: DIR. E s. Curry, OF Missouri and j.
A Bodenheimer, of Georgia, submitted an
address to the people The address con-
graduates the members of the party on its
showing in the last election, notwithstand-
ing discouraging conditions. Other reform
organizations are invited TO Join in an eff
fort to establish human liberty. The men,
bers of the party are asked to rally and to
go to work in the organization.
The address to the party, as adopted
says. 1.-The national committee sends greet
ing to all adherents OF the Omaha plat
form throughout tho Union, especially to
those loyal and courageous members of the
Peoples party who, under, the most dis
couraging conditions, voted the ticket i'm
November last. While the vote was small
err in some instances than was anticipated
and a less number was counted by certain
returning boards than the facts warrant
we are encouraged by the knowledgez<hat
the winners of the battle are not always
the gamers of the war.
ITO other reform organizations working
to alleviate the conditions of the masses,
who. while differing with US in method
agree upon fundamental principles and in
uplifting humanity, We extend fraternal
greetings and God-speed, and express tn.
hope that the day is not far distant when
they will join with us in uniting all re-
formers on the divine principles of human
ity upon which the Peoples party is found
ed Our party, regardless OF numbers, has
sn important part to ill in the progress of
the country. OF recent years II has ex-
erted more influence in the political educa-
ton of mankind than either of the great
political organizations, and there is great
announcement for those desiring these re-
forms more than they desire Office or Its
emoiuments. Therefore, we recommend the
following.
FIRST. that the members of the party
again rally everywhere and renew the
work of organization and education.
spreading the principles of our party fur
thar nd deeDer and so conducting