Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-25
PoPULISTS DEMAND GOVERNOR
Conference Committee Instructed TO
Proceed on that Basis in
Negotiations.
(From a stan CORRESPONDENT

GRAND ISLAND, Neb., June 24.-(Spe-
cial Telegram. )--The populists assembled
at Ancient order of United Workmen
hall and quite filled It, but It's seating
capacity is not over 700, so a good por-
tion Of the 1900 delegates accredited were
among the absent. M. F. Harrington was
made temporary chairman, making his ac-
ceptance Of the position with a character
istic speech, arraigning the republicans for
corporation subserviency. He referred to
the anti-monopoly republicans as out Of
place in their party. Every hit at the
opposition was greeted with laughter and
applause. He dwell particularly on the
question of railroad taxation. He ad-
mitted that the task before the populists
Is not an easy one, but asserted that with
specific tax and freight-rate planks in
their platform they might win. He wanted
a candidate who would say to Mr.. Mickey:
II will increase the railroad taxes in Ne
braska so per cent, will you increase the
taxes on railroads so per cent?"
An effort to adjourn to an outdoor park
to avoid the overheated hall elected a
more heated discussion. but failed. For
secretaries. o. W. Meier and F. d. Eager,
both Of Lancaster, were chosen. Delegates
certified were declared the regular dele
gates.
Honest John covers Exhumed.
A committee on permanent organization
was appointed, made up of W. V. Allen of
Madison, William Daley of Nemaha and
w. H. Westover Of Sheridan. On it's rec
ommendation permanent organization was
effected, with John H. Powers chairman,
ex-Mayor A. H. Weir OF Lincoln vice chair
man, and the secretaries already chosen. In
troduced as Governor Powers, the perma-
nent chairman was cordially received. His
brief remarks were pertinent to the bust
ness of the convention and an appeal for
candidates and principles that can win.
The platform committee was constituted
as follows: M. F. Harrington. chairman:
G. W.. Berge Of Lancaster, L. J. Quinby OF
Douglas, w. v. Allen OF Madison, William
Murphy Of Butler, r.. D.. Sutherland OF
Nuckolls, H. NJ. Sullivan of Custer. ]. H.
Grosvenor Of Hamilton and H. F.. Mcintosh
of Douglas.
Conference Committee Named.
At the suggestion OF a delegate a confer
ence committee was ordered. J. H. Ed
mission presented a resolution adopted by
a Sixth district caucus to compel the demo-
Gratis to conceds the governorship to the
populists before any steps for q conference
be taken, leaving the democrats to make
the next NOMINATION., duu tHeu lub W.
conventions to alternate places on the
ticket. Placed in the form Of a motion
by Mr.. Edmiston. considerable discussion
followed, only to have it withdrawn, while
this conference committee was appointed
p. H. Barry Of Greeley, F. G. Hawksby OF
Nemaha, G. A. Magney Of Douglas, w. F,
Porter Of Merrick, z. o. Kretzinger OF Gage
e, l.. Adams of Kearney, J. H. Edmiston
OF Thomas. The committee was then in
structed in conformity with the Edmiston
resolution.
Responding to a telegram from Penn
sylvania, the secretary was directed to send
greetings to the populists Of Pennsylvania
and Of Kansas. Recess was then taken TIL
1880.
Populist Pick Harrington.
At $40 the conference committee re-
ported through General Barry. recommend
ing that each convention nominate a can
didate for governor, continuing to ballot
until both conventions agree on the same
man.
The report was adopted, but against Wig
orous noes, and a formal ballot was taken,
resulting, before announced. In the unani-
nous choice of Harrington. One delegate
moved that the convention adjourn until
the democratic convention ratihes the nom
nation OF Harrington. The chair ruled the
motion out Of order and dispatched a COM
mittee to notify the democrats, while Colo
mel Bryan responded to calls for him. His
remarks were largely humorous, with an
incidental plea for Smyth. with a dis
claimer for himself, that he wants nothing
except a chance to help win a fusion VIC
tory. He was followed by Congressman
James in a characteristic speech.
synopsis OF Platform.
The populist platform as adopted afhrms
the Omaha, st. Louis and Sioux Falls plat
forms, pledges reduction Of freight rates
by is per cent In certain specified articles,
promises higher taxation OF railroads, in
GLIDING franchises; pledges the enactment
Of the initiative and referendum, full en-
plpyers' liability, making blacklistang
a crime, Issuing free transportation a mis-
demeanor; favors liberal appropriations for
the State university, fayors employment OF
convict labor in manufacturing binding
Irvine, condemns the pardon OF BARLEY and
favors a board Of pardons and INDUCES IN
self eongratulation on the last fusion state
administration. The important planks on
railroad issues are:
1--WE pledge our party to enact a maxi
mum freight rate law reducing rates on
livestock, hay, grain and mill products II
per cent and prohibiting any increase on
other commodities. We will reduce pas
senger rates to "a cents per mile. Based
upon present assessed valuation Of al
property, we will increase the assessed
valuation OF the railroad property OF this
state from s2e, 900. 900 to at least $4,000,
900. The franchise of public service cor
porations are Justly subject to taxation the
same az tangible property and whatever
property is worth for the purpose OF salt
and income Il IL also worth as a basis o.