The age-herald., 1901-08-01
Convention in Columbus Was a Farce But the Dozen DeIe-
 gates Enjoyed t
WAS HELD IN A HOTEL ROOM
Reporters Occupied Bed While Chair man Groot Spoke-One Party Couldn't Find Convention and
 Went to the Races.


 Democratic Party" WAs organized here today. The attendance was so small that many doubted up to o'clock. whether any attempt would be made to hold state convention, less than a dozen per sons being present.
 George A. Groot was both temporary and permanent chairman today and was made chairman of the state committee of the new party. The convention was held in his room at the Great Southern Hotel, and in that small room he delivered his keynote speech of half an hour in length. Those who met with Chairman Groot were J. w. Lindsay of Delaware, Dr. Alp ner L. Davis of Findlay, Bernard Hubert of Toledo, Richard Inglis of Youngstown. R. B. Connell of Columbus; George W. Moore of Greenville and 1T. M. Huber of New Richmond.
 The reporters who were perched on and about the bed outnumbered the delegates two to one. A few spectators stood at the open door. The total attendance did not exceed thirty, while the forms of a state convention were carried out between tho hours of and D. m. -.ft
 A headed by Henry Leonard of Logan and consisting of Hiram Lanning, ". P. Bates, George Guthrie and two gentlemen from New Lexington, reported tonight that they had come to the city today to attend the convention, and on being unable to find 1t they went to the races
 Had Lots of Fun.
 
 amusement at a convention than in the little gathering this afternoon. Even the promoters of the movement who dld not disguise their disappointment over the small attendnace enjoyed the participa- ton of the reporters, who used the chair mans bed in the absence of chairs and who were allowed to take part in the pro ceedings with suggestions At the con clusion of the proceedings the reporters, who were in the majority, were given A vote of thanks, and they returned the compliment to the minority.
 The assembly hall in the hotel had been engaged for the occasion, but at 2 o'clock the delegates and reporters took the ele- yator for Chairman Groot's room, the reporters suggesting that the Populist conference last night kept cool on the fire escape and that the convention to- day might be held in the elevator"
 Bernard Hubart called the convention to order and at once announced George O. Groot as temporary chairman and pr. Abner l., Davis as temporary sec hetary Order was restored at once when MT. Groot was introduced and spoke for half an hour.
 At the conclusion of his address Chair man Groot was enthusiastically applaud ed. The temporary organization was made permanent. It was announced that the platform sent out from Cleveland on Julv 15 in circulars and published at the time in the papers had already been adop- ted on the referendum system by many subscribing to the same. The features of this nlatform are the laudation of Bry- an. the reaffirmation of the Kansas City platform and tbe following planKs'
 Some PIanks.
 "We demand that all public utilities be owned and operated by the public.
 eve demand that all money manufac- +ured to be used in this country as me dium of exchange, whether 1t be gold, sill yer or paper, shall be coined by the gov ernment and distributed among the people without the intervention of banks and that every dollar of 1t shall be a legal ten der for all debts, public and private.
 "As long as the money volume Is con- trolled by the money trust, which Is the parent of all trusts. just so long will other trusts flourish, and, therefore, we are in favor of the destruction of .he money trust, which can only be done by the proper increase in the volume of money. We do not lose sight of the importance of the question of imperialism. as we re- gard that as being involved in the money question-for without money aristocracy to support it there can be no imperialism. "We demand that laws be passed by state and nation for the purpose cf de- stroying commercial trusts and combina- tions of capital organized for the purpose of controlling prices, and, if necessary 10 accomplish this end, the government to take charge of their franchises for the benefit of the people.
 We recognize that there Is movement on foot in this country among men who claim to be Democrats. but who supported Mckinley for President and approve O; the policy of the Republican party upon the money question. to get control of the Democratic party, in order that they may control the organization and secure at the next Democratic national convention the adoption of a platform which shall be in favor of the gold standard and thereby attempt to eliminate the discussion of the money question as a political issue. and we denounce all such persons as traitors to the best interests of the people. and declare them to be Republicans and ad- wise that they stay with the Republican party with which they have affiliated during the past five years"
 The Ticket.
 On returning thanks for his election as permanent chairman MT. Groot said that great reforms had sprung from humble beginnings and he was glad to know tha. there were some who refused to be led