Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-04-03
THE ALLIED PARTY.
The National Convention Begins
To-Day At Louisville, Ky.
REFORY FORCES TO FORM IEW PARTY


Louisville, KY, April 2.-Delegates
from all parts Of the country are
arriving in the city to attend the ma
tional convention Of the allied party,
which will begin at noon to-day, and
it is expected that when Chairman
10 A. Parker, of the populist national
committee, calls for order there will
be about 500 delegates on hand rep
resenting the populists, socialists,
union labor, union reformers Of Ohio,
the public ownership party Of St.
Louis; the liberal party recently
formed in Ohio, the united Christian
party and, in fact, all elements not
associated with the republicans or
democrats. The object Of the meet
ing is the formation Of third party
composed Of all reform forces, inde-
pendent Of the old parties.
No one will be entitled to . seat
In the convention who does not favor
the initiative and referendum, public
ownership of public utilities, "just
and natural taxation" the election
Of federal Judges and United States
senator's by the people, the creation
Of a cabinet Office Of the department
Of labor and equitable arbitration,
the establishment of postal saving
banks and scientific money based
upon the entire wealth Of the people,
and not redeemable in any specific
commodity, but to be full legal ten
der for all debts, to be issued by the
government only and without the in
tervention of banks, sufficient in
quantity to meet the requirements
of commerce"
The most important work to be
done is the adoption Of platform
and name agreeable to the major
ity Of the delegates. The conven-
ton will be opened by Chairman
Parker, of the populist national COM
mittee, and Judge Frank E. Richie,
Of st. Louis, will be temporary chair
man. The permanent organization
has not been decided on. The con-
vention is expected to continue for
two days, concluding with big labor
mass meeting.
Before the convention is called to
order to-day meeting Of the editors
Of the Reform Press" will be held
at the Fifth Avenue hotel, while the
friends of the majority rule (Winnet-
ka system) will meet at the Waverly
hotel tonight.
Among the most prominent dele
gates who have already arrived are:
Col. J. S. Felter, of Illinois, speaker
for the national populist bureau;
Milton Park, managing editor of the
Southern Mercury, of Dallas, Tex;
George II. Shilbley, of Washington,
president of the organized party for
majority rule, and former United
States Senator William B. Allen, of
Nebraska.
The national committee of the
populist party met last night at the
Willard hotel, with Chairman 10 A.
Parker presiding and 20 state COM
mitteemen present, other states be-
ing represented by proxy commit
teemen. The discussion during the
meeting showed that the populists
are averse to surrendering any Of
their principles in the allied party
organization. The only definite &C.
ton taken was the appointing of a
subcommittee to draft platform rec
concentrations on the part of the
populist party to be submitted to the
allied party convention to-day. This
subcommittee is to report at an ad-
journed meeting of the populist COM
mittee to be held this morning.