Hide Article Text (OCR)
THE PEOPLE’S PARTYHolds It’s First State Convention in Alabama.ELECTORS AT LARGE PET OUT.Full Delegation Sent to Omaha, Including One Colored Brother.The peoples’s party was represented at Krswell hall I'hursday by about Ufty men from all parts ot the state.Among those present were a number who had participated in the tabor conference which was held iu this city on May 30.the convention was called to order at 10:25 o’clock by Mr. George F. Gaither, chairman oi the Btute executive committee.Mr. -*.P. Longshore of Shelby and Mr. Mr. \V. 8. Griiflib of Talladega wore appointed temporary chairman and secretaryMr. Longshore, on being presented to the convention by Mr. Uaither, than ked them for the honor conferred ou him in being called upon to preside oversucb a body, tic stated Iu emphatic terms the object of the meeting and said that this was the opening of the hrst people’s pnrty eouven-llc said that the party was young, but its ] flag would soon wave triumphantly over these great Uuited States. 1 see bctore me, lie said, men who have before been associated with both the democratic and the republican parties. Neither party had given tbe people aid. They had refused to grant the request of the people for the unlimited coinage of silver. The parties vveut nstraddleof the question, butneither would jump on lop ot it. His speech wus very strong against both parties and was at times applauded.Ou motion a committee of five on permanent organization was appointed as follows: J. M.Whitehead, E. A. Phillips, Philander Morgan, C. J. L. Cunniugham und John B.Messrs. John W. Pi and T. W. Powell of Shelby and W. M. Whatley of Clay were appointed a committee on credentials.At this juncture a recess was tsken to await the reports of the two committees.The committee on permanent organization reported, recommending the temporary officers as the permanent officers of ttie convention.The recommendation was placed as a motion before the house, and carried.Chairman Longshore, iu acceptiug the position, made a strong and able speech, tie thanked the convention for the honor bestowed upon him.He reviewed the condition pf the laboring people of this state. He spoke of the mauy homes which were being swept from their owners by the sheriff’s sale under order of the courts, all ou account of the condition of the country. He said the country was oppressed more and more until the McKinley bill had made it too much to bear.He spoke ot having been a democrat all bis life, never voted any otber ticket, but be was in favor of the free coinage of silver and he hid hoped that the last congress would make a law for the free coinage of silver.Senator Mprgan, he said, had promised the people of tliis state that a free silver law would be passed, but the congress had failed to keep the promise. He spoke of the republican and the democratic party as both being for themselves and for no one else. He quoted from a sermon.recently delivered by Rev. T. DeWitt Talmage, in which he spoke of the devil as placing a wing over each party. He said the conventions would bt opened by prayers from the chaplains, which should be: “Oh! Lord, mako us successful, so that we may become consuls to foreign countries, cabinet officers, postmasters, attorney generals, etc. Amen. ’ ’His speech was carefully prepared, and was frequently applauded.The committee on credentials reported, recommending the following aB entitled to seuts in the convention:J. R. Hanev, John Thwcat, W. 8. Griffiths, Philander Morgan, Ira Robbins, C. J. L. Cunningham, St. JoiinTavel, C. F. Dodson, J. M. Whitehead, G. W. Cala-way, R. A. Baker, W. A. Fountain, Jra Gamble, Louis Reynolds, 8. D. Oliver, H. C. Goodman, L. F. Goree, A. E. Edwards, J. W. Pitts, A. P. Longshore, J. M.■ Lowery. E. F. Vest, B. L. Moore, M. W. Whatley, H. C. Simmons, J. Franklin, E. H. Phillips, J. C. Manning,G. F. Gaiiher, Thomas Freeman, W. D. Moody, T. L. Fielder, H. Houpt, John B. Ware, J. L. Gilbert, E. H. Freeman, C. H. Bowling, A. J. Penn, H. O. Brown, E. W. Henley, G. A. Sloan, John T. Morton, John Dale, M. W. McNutte, J. H. Brook, T. W. Powell, C. J. Higgins, 8. A. Felta.After the reading of the report, the chairman asked the pleasure of the convention as to the report.A delegate moved that the report be received,and on its being seconded was unan-iruonsly carried.Mr. Philander Morgan moved that a committee of three be appointed to draw up suitable resolutions expressing the feeling of this convention at the death of the late president of the Natlooal Farmers’ alliance, Leonidas L. Polk. Carried.The chairman appointed on that committee Philander Morgan, G. M. Lowery and J. M. Whitehead.J. B. Ware of Birmingham offered a motion that a committee of five he appointed on platform. Carried.The chairman appointedlt;the,following as that committee: J. B. Ware, John W. Pitts, W. M. Whatley, W. A. Fountain and H. C. Simmons.Acommitteeto name delegates to Omaha, was appointed by the chair as follows: T. W. Powell, J. C. Manning and G. St. John Tavell.Tne convention then took a recess to await the reports of the varinns committees.The committee on platform, after the convention was again called to order, read their report as follows:“We indorse the St. Louis platform.“Be it resolved, That the people’s party make no nomination for srate officers in this campaign, and refer the choice of candidates to our membership, who shall ex-ercise their own choice between the perpetuation of bossifm and machine rtlle and a rule of the people, for the people and by the people.“ Be it further resolved, That the mem brrs of the people’s party, of Alabama are encouraged to bold their organization throughout the state intact und push the organization forward until success shall crow n our efforts. ’ ’A project was put on foot by some ot the delegates to have a negro delegate to the national convention which takes place in Omaha, Neb.Dr. Fielder, in a most passionate address, disclaimed the idea. He had been a southerner and proposed to die one. He loved the negro in a manner, but was opposed to placing one of them oh the delegation, as it would be used against the party. They wouid be accused of being negro lovers, and he was bitterly opposed to any such.He spoke.of H. C. Smith, who went from this city to Chicago to attend the democratic national convention, and referred to ■.him as being os black as the ace of spades Be wanted to know who paid bis way to ,that city. He got no answer to his ques-■*fon. •Mr. John Dale of DeKatb county then •kook the floor, and harangued at great .length.He was 72 yean old and coptd 'fieither •read nor write, yet be claimed tp have good common sense. He wanted the negro to beon their side. He was sfrongly in favot of them. He said: “Yes, let them go and represent their people. ’1 He referred at length to tbe need of their votes to down tho “bosses” and wanted all they could get for the people’^ parly.Mr. H. C. Bimmous ot Clay Mpsp and took an emphatic stand for the negroes.He had a life time’s acqn’aintanCe with the negroes, and claimed ti know us much about ihuu as anybody. They are iu the same boat that we arc, the old party lets them In and we should do the same. The democrats of New York and Ohio recognize them and we ought lo do the-sauie thing. He said it was a moral priuciple which demanded their recognition. .He had voted the democratic ticket thtrty-two years, and the negro had had his vote stolen too long. He said he could not steal a negro's vole, nor would he attempt lo. Hi} said that he could trust a negro, nut cfteltl not trust a miichine. .» A motion to have a negro named as a delegate lo represent his ruce, was then ot-fered and carried.Kir. Manning offered a motion that two electors from the Btute at large be elected. Carried.Mr. Uaither placed in nomination J. M. Whitehead, editor of the Living truth, who was unanimously elected.Mr. M. W. Whatley placed in ‘nomination H. C. Simmons,who was-utinniuiuusly elected.l'he subject of electing alternates for electors at large was discussed, and was disponed of by a motion which was carried, that in the event ol the dea.h of uayieotor, Hie executive committeu he empowered to till the vacancy so caused.J. M. Whitehead being called upon,made a verv interesting talk.The lime bad come tor action on tlie part of the people, be said, und he was ready to act. The people had been ready twelve months ago, the only trouolc was in tiie inactivity of the leaders. The people had become impatient, in fact were dialing lo get in line, and tbey arc more anxious uuwMr. Whitehead has the distinctiun of being the only one-legged delegate, and wheu be would bring his crutch duwu as a means of emphasis, it was heard.Mr. Bimmous was called for and made a few remarks, concluding by thauking. the convention for the honor oou tarred.During the course of his talk he related an anecdote. A crowd were rolling tenpins. A home-made countryman came into the room und seated himself 'on aA smart Aleck went to him and said: “i’ll bet you $1 you can’t show me n dollar.’’ The home-made man Yaised up and began untying bis pockelbooli. When he had gotten it open the Aleck put his hands over his eyes. The home-made man saw the position of affairs, and drawing his arm back he popped him squarely'on the nose, knocking linn Hat ol uis back. He jumped straddle of the Aleck and put the dollar lo his nose and said, ■‘Damn you, I’ll make you see it. ’ ’This, he said, hus been the cbcditian of affairs. “The other parties liave had their hands over their eyes, but now we propose to make them see us. ’1 Mr. M. W. Whatley of Clay county spoke of the necessity for the organization of clubs, and offered a motion that such be done by all members of the convention in their respective counties.A motion wus made that a committee of three be appointed to prepare an uddress to be sent out over the stato in the interest of the people’s parly. The following were appointed: Messrs. Oliver, Morgan and Whitehead. * 'r;Mr. Oliver offered a motion that (he old state executive committee be. re-.eieiH«U for the ensuiug year. Carried. ...Mr. Bimmons offered a niotiou that the Alabama Reformer publish tbd full proceedings of the meeting and that* •contribution be taken up to reimburse the company for printing and distributing.ttiem. Carried.Quite a bundsoine sum was contributed to further this end.The committee uu delegates then made tbeir report as follows:Dr. J. C. Morgan, J. C. Townsend, J. M. Whitehead, H. C. Simmons, 8.' J: Findlay, D.Cook, J. L. Gilbert', (!. F. Cod! son, K. 8. Phillips, John Yeager. Dr. F. L. Fielder, Dr. B. W. Gross, Dr. Killian, St. John Tavel, J. W. Pitts, W. R. Huuni-cutt, R. B. Harvey, G. W. Calloway, IV. A. Downs, L. F. Goree, S. D. Olive, Jack Savage, J. W. Aiken, Ira Hobbins, C. J. L. Cunningham, S. A. Fatten; W. M. Wood, Dr. Clarke, Johu Dale., IV. S. Griffiths, J. B. Huckubee. W. A. Fountain, P. F. Parker, John Thouias, H. Houpt.“Resolved, That this convention authorize and request that T. M. Johnson, dot-, ored, represent the colored people, o*.Alabama at the Omaha convention-’’ , . , f, “The delegates sliail chocise their own proxies. ’ ’There being no further business before the convention, at 2:10 p. ni. it waadeclared adjourned sine die.THE OMNIPRESENT SCOTCHMAN. New York Press.There is nothing improbable in the report that King Behai.zin uf Dahomey has ror his chlel adviser in his operations against the F’renoh a Scottish trader named Robinson, who can turn his bands with equal facility to measuring out guoyis to the nativea, drilling soldiers by handling a gun it would be . difficult to go lo aoy laud where the adventurous Scotchman has not /ifft a prior imprint. Coiumbui did nqlt-ffinU' any Scotchmen before biin when he . diWqv^re 1 America, but it is recorded 'that'When Robert Tomsou of Andover managed., in spite uf the jealousy of Spain and'the lectors of the inquisition, to reach Mexico sd«oon after the death uf CorUs, that “be abode there with many ancient men thalf'vyese of the conquerors,’ ’ he iound that lie was not the first of his race iu Uib capitit the Aztecs. ' aS?*'One Thomas Blake, a Scotchman, hud uctually dwelt iu the city for twenty years, having arrived there just twelve yeats after the death ot Montezuma. Wifliiipj;^itu-gow, another Scot greatly in’ .fatv.brfwith James 1, wandered ail over Eylvtpe and Northern Africa, visiting Tuuialt;“iiift/,Fez among the first of Christian travel#!^.,although, us he found a few reneg^djm flora the north purauing on the- Butbwy Coast the ancient trade of piracy. he felt Imedrom home than might have betnd .'igaaeim.-d. When, 350 years ago, Rieliard, CUkheeler sailed iu the Edward BodaVebture in search ot the northeast’passage b - found at Wardbuys, ou the coast of Lapli n i, “cei-taiii 8 oltishmeu’’ in Beurob of uu b.hesl bawbee, who eHrnts.ly adv/red‘hllii to ^return home while be bad a deck beneath'his feet. ... ,'irScottish mercenaries fought.. in,-;^U, Jt,he. armies of Europe. 'I hey were auiuug Tjse ynost valued soldiers ol Ou-tavus'Adulphlis and were also conspicuous id tne degibiis of France. Many a time, when the forlorn hope uf “Scottish gentlemen’ ’ Wfpe planting the scaling ladders against the walls of a beleaguered furtrese, Ihcy heard in familiar accents from the other side tbe cry ot the engineers: “Come along, lads!This is no gallanting it at the Crass q’ Ediabro’. ’ ’ .in more peaceful adventure ' the Scots have done important service to^thd cause of science. The names of Bruocv Muugd Park, Livingstone and Joseph Tboiuspq will ever be associated with the unvejling of tbe dark continent, and the most ' successful experiment in recent Atiicau '-toots onizatioq is that of the Scotchmen, who have taken possession of the Nyanza. country and held it against a fierce Arab onset. That a Scotchman should be fOund_holcj,lttg a leading position in Dahomey’ is aot at air strange. .'•••■: r.-rcTHE KOLB MEN , r MAD a A HEAVY LOSING *AT- D'fcMoPOtT* YESTERDAY. • ’C IC- il-V.'-Demopolis, June 23. —Spectk’f.)— democratic executive committed ■*in’ettTj at Linden today. A resolution deHWSShii% as a usurpation of the powers anrf’^MMng to be governed by rules 1, 8 and' 5 ’of tbe party law was defeated on alls vote. This resolution was offered by a man who' sup-ported Kolb in the recent, -primaries, Many men wbb supported Eo|6 in tbe prh marles are now Eupportiffigtfttekit. ‘ ' —sd
Newspaper Details
Birmingham Weekly Age
Birmingham, Alabama, US
Wed, Jun 29, 1892
Page 12
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 14 Mar 2024
Other Publications Near Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham Progressive Farmer And Southern Farm Gazette
Birmingham State Herald
The Birmingham Age Herald
Birmingham Weekly Iron Age
Birmingham Weekly Age
