The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-08-01
ONE DOZEN
FOR BRYAN
Progressive Democratic Party
Has Slim Meeting.
GR00T Is HEAD MAN
Reporters 0utnumber Dele
gales Two to One.
AMUSING SCENE
With Audience Perched on
Chairman'S BadStead.

Columbus, O., July 31.-"The Progress
sive Democratic party" was organized
here today. The attendance was so small
that many doubted up to ? o'clock p. m.
whether any attempt would be made to
hold a state convention.
During the week following the recent
Democratic state convention a conference
was held at Cleveland and a protest was
made against the action of the state COM
nittee in ignoring Bryan, free silver and
other issues, and in not re-affirTning
either of the national platforms on which
Bryan made his contest Tor president.
At that conference a call was issued for
a state convention of Bryan Demo-
Gratis and others opposed to both the
Democratic and the Republican state
platforms to meet here today Circulars
containing copies of the call and the plat
form OF the proposed new party were
sent out by mail and were widely pub
lished. However. less than a dozen per-
sons responded today to participate in
the christening of the new party.
George A. Croft, who called the con-
ference at Cleveland and presided over it
on July II, was both temporary and per-
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 key
note speech, holding the floor for half an
hour.
Even the promoters Of the movement
did not disguise their disappointment
over the small attendance. 1t Is said that
a few other persons who came to Column
bus in response to the call were unable TO
find the meeting place.
The reporters who were perched on and
about the bed, out numbered the dele
gates two to one A Few spectators
stood at the open door. The total at
tendance did not exceed thirty, though
the formalities Of a state convention
were carried out.
Bernhard Hubert called the convention
TO order, and at once announced George
GroOt as temporary chairman.
When Chairman Groot has concluded,
it was announced that the platform sent
out from Cleveland on July L in circulars
and published at the time in the news
papers. had already been adopted on the
referendum system by many subscribing
to the same.
The same features Of this platform are
Iaudation of Bryan and re-affiTmation Of
the Kansas City platform. Planks were
also inserted calling for the public owner
ship of all public utilities; that all money
of whatever kind, shall be issued by clle
without the Intervention of
banks that the money trust" the parent
of all trusts, shall be destroyed, for
without a money arlstocracy there can
be no imperialism. The destruction OF
all trusts is demanded Such demands
as approve n gold standard and who sup
ported Mckinley for president, are in
vited henceforth TO affiliate with the Re
publican party
a committee on nominations reported
the following ticket. which was nom
mated:
Governor-Dr. r. Rudolph Reemlin.
Lieutenant Governor-IIenry c. Cordery.
Supreme Judge-Rial n Smith.
State Treasurer. c. Shepard
Attorney Generals. /. Clark.
Clerk of Supreme Court-Charles Ben
sail.
Member Of the Board Of Public Works
r. 3. Cornell.
DR.. Reemlin. who heads the ticket, has
been a LIFELONG Democrat and a radical
free silver man. He is president of the
League of Hamilton county,
and entertained Bryan during the cam
paign last year.