Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-02
BRYANITES ARE BUSY
TRYING TO SWITCH THE POPS
FROM THEIR PURPOSE.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. April 2-The populist
national convention. which was called
for 10 o'clock today was somewhat be-
hind that hour in commencing proceed
ings. The chief cause Of this was the
renewed efforts of the Bryan men to
secure an agreement for an adjourn
ment until after the republican and
democratic conventions They rpade
strong arguments before the members
Of the national committee and also be-
tore the committee on credentials. but
with no apparent effect save to delay
the proceedings. They backed UP their
demands for an adjournment by the
claims that some of the delegates pres
ent had been improperly chosen and
that the entire call for the convention
was Illegal
They cited the case of Pennsylva MIA.
which has seventy-nine votes in the
convention. while Watson in 1904 did
not receive single vote in the state.
other alleged inequalities in the sys-
tom of representation were mentioned.
but the Watson men stood firm and re-
fused to listen to any proposition for
an adjournment
Tho determination of Nebraska. Mime
sofa and Michigan to bolt the convention
If the program of making nominations is
carried out. was unaltcred today.
NoI 10 De 1TdTlpleQ OpOH.
4. Walrath. secretary of the Nebraska
state central committee. said today:
I'VE do not propose to be trampled on
and We are going to fight for our rights.
We claim TO repre sent more Simon pure
populistS than any other state. We Will
not be Il party to any nominations. and If
they are made. and if an adjournment is
not taken We will leave the convention.
The convention came to order shortly
before II O'Clock, about 900 delegates be-
ing present. After an Invocation by Rev.
Thomas Wadsworth of Indiana the formal
proceedings were begun by James Ferris
of Joliet. the chairman of the national
committee.
Chairman Ferris Remarks.
Gen. Ferris made an address of some
length. which he prefaced with this dec
laration:
''The peoples party is the only party
with membership thoroughly united and
entirely harmonious upon the great issues
under discussion. 1t is the only party In
which the most violent opponents of its
platform and its great leaders are not in
side the party ITSELF
The speaker then dwelt upon the history
of the peoples party, declaring that the
measures ii had long ago advocated have
been now adopted by the leading parties
of the country.
The late financial panic was discussed.
Mir. Ferris declaring that it was caused
by general distruSt of well-known raS-
Gals" There can never be permanent con-
fidence. he asserted. without public own
erShip because under government owner
ship there can be no Juggling of secur-
ties. no buncoing of investors. and the
public will then have reason for faith.
hope and the spirit of cooperation. With
the government behind the deposits and
the currency distributed through ordinary
business channels rather than favorite
banks. there would be no panics. With
the government ownership of public utili-
ties there would be perfect confidence In
railroad securities. less rotten politics.
cheaper rates to the shippers and many
other public benefits"
The speaker declared that banks re-
ceive loans from the government at nomi-
who do the most to develop the nation
cannot hire a dollar from the Treasury
He favored the loaning of money upon
proper security TO manufacturers, farm
ers and miners. He added:
1T has become a policy of the Presi-
dents of the nation to loan government
funds without interest and to turn out
government bonds to stock jobbing pets
whenever Wall street is dull: but the
farmer, the manufacturer and the miner
with the best of security. cannot obtain
government assistance at any price The
platform should uttSr violent exclama-
tons on this point
Mr.. Ferris declared himself as being In
favor of the most complete. strongest
most widespread, dead open-and-shut
plank against the manufacture, transpor-
tatiOn and sale of alcohol or any other
poison for eating or drinking purposes
He closed with the prediction of the rise
Of a great party from the convention of
today
Coxey for Chairman.
Following the address of Mr. Ferris.
Jacob S. Coxey of Ohio was named as
temporary chairman of the convention.
After taking the chair he made an adj
dress covering the leading economical
questions of the day. paying particular
attention to national currency.
Chairman Coxey devoted much time to
the advocacy of the issue of non-interest-
bearing bonds as a means of acquiring
public utilities.
Immediately at the conclusion OF the
chairman's address debate arose on the
manner of appointing members of the
various committees. It was finally de-
member of each committee, and that the
chairman should have the right to ap-
point four delega ties at-large on each COM
mittee except the committee on creden-
tials
The convention then adjourned until
O'Clock.
WITT IN IN NurTNn