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About The Rockdale banner. (Conyers, Ga.) 1888-1900 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 13, 1896)
seti in Nominated lor Governor tj the Populist Stale Convention. FULL STATE TICKET NAMED Ovations Accorded Mr. Watson by Loyal Supporters. An Enthnsiastie Rally at Moody SI. Louis Platform is Endorsed. Proceedings of the Two Day’s Session of the Convention. Tho populist couvention did little more than organize Thursday. Friday it transacted all of its business within three hours time and adjourned. The following ticket for governor and state house officers was chosen without opposition aud named by ac¬ clamation : For Governor, SEABORN A. WRIGHT, OF FLOYD. For Secretary of State, J. A. PARSONS, OF MILTON. For Treasurer, WILLIAM C. SIBLEY, OF RICH¬ MOND. For Attorney General, DONALD H. CLARK, OF CHAT¬ HAM. For Comptroller General, SEABORN J. BELL, OF BURKE. For Commissioner of Agriculture, W. E. SMITH, OF DECATUR. It was about 12:30 o’clock in tho afternoon that the convention, upon o motion made by Johu Cunningham, adjourned sine dio. M \ tl m IS ■m t a .-i ffiSBksS W 6*’ it if r' m p IL r f: V jji - ca ■in. V PE AltOTl V WRIGHT. The representatives of the populists of Georgia assembled in Atlanta Thursday to hold their state conven¬ tion. At 11:45 Mr. Watson called the con¬ vention to order. A mighty cheer arose ns Mr. Watsou took tho gavel iu hand and rapped loudly upon the marble slab upon the speaker’s stand. He merely ‘nunounoed that the con¬ vention was ready for business. A. A. Murphy, of Pike, moved that Wat¬ son hold tho gavel uutil the conven¬ tion had elected permanent officers. Tho motion was carried with n whoop, puuctuated with “hurrahs for Watson.” The convention adopted the order of business reported by the cauous for its government. Watsou called for nominations for temporary secretary. The name of James L. Sibley was placed in nomi¬ nation. Mr. Sibley was unanimously elected. Tho committee on credentials was then appointed as follows: First dis¬ trict, F. H. Saffold; second district, L. G. Collins; third district, J. C. Tarrah; fourth district, C. J. Thorn¬ ton; fifth district, Johu T. Mitchell; «ixth district, J. M. Fletcher; seventh district, J. A. Burdette, eigth district, th P. Bond; niuth district, L. L. Clements, tenth district, J. A. Smith; -eleventh district, B. Milliken. Temporary Chairman Watson then announced the permanent organiza¬ tion to be in order, but C. H. Elling¬ ton made tho point of order that the -credentials committee had not yet re¬ ported, and consequently there was no convention. The point was ruled well taken and the convention waited. A motion was made to adjourn uutil 1:30 o’clock. It was voted for by a very few and against by a still less number. Watson declared the convention ad¬ journed until half-past one o’olock. The Convention Reassembles. Before 1 o’clock the delegates began returning to the hall and by fifteen minutes after the hall was well filled. Five minutes later Tom Watson enter¬ ed the hall. Ho stopped to shake hands with the delegates on every side and then proceeded to one of the open windows, where he oat until the clock pointed to 1.30. At that hour the galleries were jam¬ med but the crowd on the floor was much smaller than before adjourn¬ ment. Business was delayed for a few mo¬ ments until the arrival of Secretary Sibley. The lists of delegates from the various districts were called and handed to the secretary. The permanent organization was nomi¬ en¬ tered upon. A. A. Murphey nated Judge James K. Hines for per¬ manent chairman. He was unani¬ mously elected and a committee con¬ sisting of A. A. Murphey, John D. Cunningham and R. B. Taylor was ap¬ pointed to notify Judge IlineB of his election. J. L. Sibley, of Cobb, was, on mo¬ tion of L. M. Palmer, of Floyd, elect eu permanent secretary of the con¬ vention. Judge Hines Speaks. The committee soon returned ac¬ companied by Judge Hines. He was greeted with loud applause. Among other things he said : “After years of toil and strife, slander and abuse, the people’s party has lived to see the day when the prin¬ ciples for which you have labored so so long bavo been adopted by the men who used to cast contumely upon you. The democrats have adopted a plat¬ form which is populistic os far as it goes. They committed grand larceny by taking our income tax plank, our free silver plank and our national bank plank and run away with it, but we have overtaken them. We have nominated the head of the democratic ticket, William J. Bryan, half demo¬ crat and half populist, a mau who got his political schooling in the populist party. Today we are masters of the situatiou and our principles will tri¬ umph unless we are very foolish. Wo couldn’t go the whole democratic hog. We thought it unwise to fight national banks with a national banker, to fight a great trust with the head of a great trust, to fight for railroad ownership with the president of a great railroad. We gave you a man of the south equal in ability aud integrity to William J. Bryan, a man superior in the eloquence that enlightens the understanding of men while it captures their hearts. Don’t be alarmed by the silly prating of tbe foolish chairman of the demo¬ cratic committee. I beseech you to put out a full electoral ticket for Bryan and Watson.” Judge Hines denounced the present democratic state administration as ex¬ travagant and unwise, and called for the protection of the Confederate sol¬ dier aud his widow. Resolutions came pouring in to the secretary, among them one from Mel Branch, denouncing frauds in elec¬ tions, declaring against any further licensing of barroomp, and denounc¬ ing the present convict lease system. The resolution called attention to the need of the government owning the railroads, an illustration of which was furnished in this state where there was a great railroad monopoly in existence and the spectacle was presented of silver democrats battling with one hand for tbe people and with the other for the great monopoly which was attempting to throttle the people. Several other resolutions were read and sent to the committee on platform, all calling for the withdrawal of Sewall. The committee on platform was then selected. It is as follows: First District—G. H. Miller, F. H. Saffold. Second District—John Sibley, H. C. Newton. Third District—F. D. Wimberly, S. Montgomery. Fourth District—H. T. Hollis, Dr. McGee. Fifth District—W. A. Johnson, M. D. Smith. Sixth District—A. A. Murphey, W. F. Smith. Seventh District—William Phillips, A. J. Moore. Eighth District—W. Y. Carter, J. J. Green. Ninth District—Guy Clopton, A. J. Parsons. Tenth District—C. H. Ellington, William Walden. Eleventh District—Dr. S. W. John¬ son, Ben Milliken. Dr. W. II. Felton, of Bartow, and Colonel W. L. Peek, of Rockdale, were elected as electors from the state at large. The following were chosen from the dift’ereut districts: From the First, D. H. Clark; Second, H. C. Newton; Third, B. P. O’Neal; Fourth, T. B. Davis; Fifth, J. L. Chupp; Sixth, W. S. Whittaker; Seventh, S. B. Austin ; Eighth, J. J. Greene; Ninth, Dr. A. L. Nance; Tenth, William Lansdale; Eleveuth, W. W. Bennett. A new executive committee was chosen aud the thinks of the conven¬ tion were returned to B. M. Blnckurn for referring to Tom Watson as a pa¬ triot. An announcement was made that no more business would be transacted until the platform committee re¬ ported. made for Peek and Loud calls were he readily responded, starting out by saying that the convention was in a muddle and he was not in favor of taking any more into the populist wag¬ said on than it could carry. He there was one man who had run for governor before and if the people would offer him the Domination again he would run to be the next governor. Colonel Peek was dead against a prohibition plank in the platform, and his remarks on this line were loudly cheered. Congressman Howard from Alabama made a few remarks, upon being called for, and caused loud applause when he said he had the honor of presenting ‘the *iame of Watson to the St. Louis convention. Watson was called for and when he faced the audience there was a look of triumph in his face to hear the yell of exultation that arose from his enthu¬ siastic supporters. With great emotion and in a broken voice Mr. Watson said: “This is the proudest moment of my life. I cannot speak more now. I’ll say I cannot say more today. I’ll speak to you tonight.” There was a moment of respectful silence and then a tumultuous wave of applause swept over the hall. At 3:15 the convention took a recess of 30 minutes. The time of recess was passed in waiting—much like an audience wait¬ ing for a jury to come in. At 5 o’clock A. A. Murphey, of Pike county, came out from the senate chamber and announced that the com¬ mittee on resolutions was progressing slowly. It would be impossible to re¬ port during the afternooD, he stated, and everybody wanted to attend tbe ratification meeting at the Moody tabernacle at night. Then the pro¬ gramme of the night meeting was an¬ nounced in detail. John Cunningham moved that the convention adjourn until 10 o’clock Friday morning. A number of dele¬ gates asked that the hour be made nine o’clock. Chairman Hines an¬ nounced adjournment until 9 o’clock Friday morning. FRIDAY’S SESSION. At 9 o’clock Friday morning Chair man Hines called the convention to order. He announced that all who were net delegates would be asked to retire from the hall to make room for those who had beEu sent to transact the business of the convention. There seemed to be nothing before the convention when it was called to order, and to start the ball rolling Mr. Branch moved that a committee of throe be appointed to wait on the plat¬ form committee to find out when it would be ready to report. The motion prevailed and the chair appointed on the committee Mr. Branch of Columbus, Mr. T. E. Winn of Gwinnett, and Mr. W. F. Carter of Effingham. This committee returned iu a few moments and reported that the platform committee would be ready to report in about half an hour. Ou motion the convention took a re¬ cess of 20 minutes to wait on the plat¬ form committee. The twenty minutes passed and many others joined it, but still no report from the platform committee, and it was soon whispered that the committee had struck a snag in the shape of the proposed prohibition plank. It was vehemently opposed by MarkD. Irwin at the head of the Peek faction and others, and a deadlock was imminent. The delegates tired of waiting aud began calling for speeches. Colonel Carey J. ThorntoD, of Columbus, was called out and responded, making a brief speech in which he predicted victory for the populists in October. B. M. Blackburn was called for and responded briefly, saying among other things that it was not his fault that the populists built the platform at Chicago or that the democrats built the platform at St. Louis. The Platform Read. At the conclusion of his speech the platform committee appeared.. After order was restored Y/. Y. Carter, of Hart, read the platform. The prohibition plank, the plank de¬ manding the working of the convicts on public roads, the one calling for school books to be furnished by tbe state, and the one denouncing the ac¬ ceptance of free passes on railroads, telegraph and express franks were loudly cheered. On motion of Colonel Thcrnton the platform was adopted, followed by en¬ thusiastic applause, wound up w ; th a yell from A. A. Murphey: “Fellow cit¬ izens, there’a victory in that plat¬ form.” A resolution from the platform com¬ mittee was presented authorizing the state executive committee at any time that Arthur Sewall should be with¬ drawn from the democratic ticket to withdraw six populist electors and place six democrats in their stead. The resolution was adopted with en¬ thusiastic applause. A Full State Ticket Named. On motion of A. A. Murphey, of Pike, the couvention entered upon the nomination of officers for the state. Judge Hiues called Mr. Branch, of Columbia, to the chair and placed iu nomination for governor of the state the Hon. Seaborn Wright, of the ccuu ^jr of FRyi, Judge Hines said he had but one hope in his heart, the triumph of the populist party and the principles that had just been enunciated. He arose to place in nomination a man of stainless character and great ability, a man who was as good popu¬ list as breathed the air of Georgia, a man who could not be counted out, as behind him was the great moral power of the state that would put downring sters, tricksters and ballot box staffers. He named the Hon. Seaborn Wright, of the county of Floyd. The presentation of the mme was greeted with long continued applause. As soon as it had subsided a very youth¬ ful delegate mounted a desk to second the nomination. He spoke in glowing sentences, and declared that holy feel¬ ings stirred his soul to its deepest depths to see this marriage of prohibi¬ tion to populism. M. L. Palmer, of Floyd, Carey Thornton, of Muscogee, S. D. Walton, a negro delegate from Richmond, Gen¬ eral William Phillips, of Cobb, Mr. White, of Screven and Mr. McGarritv, of Floyd, also seconded the nomina¬ tion. Mr. Wright was nominated by ac¬ clamation and on motion of S. Y. Car¬ ter a committee of three was appointed to notify Mr. Wright of his nomina¬ tion. The committee consisted of A. A. Mnrphey, J. D. Cunningham and C. E. McGregor. The committee retired and the nom¬ ination of other officers was continued. Mr. Branch nominated Seaborn Bell,a one-legged Confederate soldier from the county of Burke, for the office of comptroller general. The nomination was numerously seconded and made without japposition. Clay, nominated Mr. Turnipseed, of E. for commissioner of agriculture W. Smith, of the county of Decatur. There was no opposition to the nomi¬ nation and it was made unanimously. Mr. W. C. Chapman, of Richmond, placed in nomination for the position of state treasurer Major W. C. Sibley, of the county of Richmond. Among the seconding speeches was one from a negro delegate, who declared that he was proud to stand beneath “the doom of the capitol” and make such a speech. On motion Mr. John Sibley, of Berrien, and Mr. Jim Sibley, of Cobb, half brothers to Major Sibley, were appointed to conduct him into populist party. Saffold, of Emanuel, Mr. T. H. placed in nomination for the office of attorney general Donald H. Clark, of the county of Chatham. Mr. A. A. Murpehy nominated for the office of attorney general Dr. J. A. Parsons, of the county of Miltou. Colonel Cary J. Thornton placed in nomination for the office J. T. Daven¬ port, of the county of Douglas. Mr. F. D. Wimberly, of Pulaski, placed in nomination Guy Clopton, of the county of Hall. An interesting question at this point was spruug as to who was the author of the telegram sent from St. Louis to Mr. Watsou, the one in response to which he consented to stand for the office of vice president. qpminaiing Mr. Murphey stated, in Dr. Parsons that he was the man who sent the message that brought Watson out for vice president. Mr. F. D. Wimberly, known as “Blue Fed Wimberly,” who distin¬ guished himself by running for con¬ gress against Crisp, placed in nomina¬ tion for secretary of state Guy Glop ton, and took occasion to say that he knew that Parsons did not write the telegram to Watson. Numerous seconding speeches were tele¬ made, but the mystery of the gram was not cleared away until J. L. Cartledge, of the county of Richmond, seconded the nomination of Parsons. He declared that he wrote the tele¬ gram himself and sent it, but Parsons had as much to do with the sending of the telegram as any one else. Preparations were made for begin¬ ning the vote, but just then Coionel Thornton, in the interest of the party and to preserve unity, withdrew the name of Davenport. Wimberly Not to be outdone, Mr. withdrew the name of Guy Clopton. This left the field open to Dr.Parsons, and he was nominated without opposi¬ tion. m Mr. Wrights Accepts in an Impassioned Speech. The committee appointed to notify Mr.Wright of his nomination and con¬ duct him to the hall reported at 12 :10 that Mr. Wright was ready to address the convention. Escorted by the com¬ mittee, Mr. Wright entered the ball and his'appearance was greeted with a burst of applause. He was a stranger to many of the delegates. They gazed upon his Apollo-like face, classical in features, for a moment, and when it was turned toward them they were at¬ tracted by the sympathetic smile and the bright eyes of the well known young Georgian. he They waited in expectancy presented as by faced them and was Chairman Hines. Mr. Wright’s face is always illuminated with a triumph¬ ant sort of smile when he faces an audience. He began to speak in a quiet sort of fashion, but as he pro¬ ceeded his hand was uplifted, his hand¬ some face illumined aud as he soared into the realms of eloquence the audi ence went wild with delight, and on all sides cries were heard of “Boys, we’ve found another Tom Watson. Mr. Wright began by Eaying that he P °'B -but n |°" o pj ce oiJ b- Xt 1 , <T> entered the rac5° f0 *H H own county demot'?; a nd independent came to me again “ " make another and racel ing.) » )J “I have no iU feelin ”«-w" ness, continued “ewdl % w the men I am after I stand up in our halls fl vote for the infamous" 0 years the populist, as been reviled, abused andi a set of ringtailed de who never °p ened thejf they lost their offices and t forward and took up the people f 0 r reiij y°u, Chicago friends, when sent to to repres of the south threw off of the north and east, add unst ,. platform , list and nomin candidate for preside! the , battle , whipped. The] ence between the Chicago Louis platforms is the rail but just as the democrats to to you on in other things Another] tni you this. in the candidate for vid Of all the cowardly anima God Almighty ever looks of these politicians in cratic party bending tl Tammany Hall and birthright of the peop mon and the north. At C were some brave southern same sneaking pusilanin characterized the demo past caused them to pat the vice presidency a mi north instead of nominat the grand and good me south. At St. Louis il bravery to do the right ft nate a southern man, (pointing to Watson as man born and bred on t hills about you, a man* Georgia as he loves the ■ his bosom. Are fewringtaileM the peopM going to let a of the olden stripe deter 1 doing the right and voting! ((I lant son of the south? no, no.) fl “As in the old WashiJ days, south furnished a JVfferson, so today she wil the country a Watson. I long continued applause,)! all to lay aside extreme a and go before the peopleal I the men who are unfit to offices of trust. I have ha iu Atlanta and other places! till that here the offices of bartered and traded as nil of merchandise. shame!”) (Cries ij I shame, ridiculedanl < a They have you Wright, in “and the past,’ they contj ks now you. If those democrat! guilty of all this are willing and take Watson for vice why let them come in #®j them.” Mr. Wright then hibition plank in the platf' “I have at my home four be. “They are all manly lit and every one of them i J mv very life, I am afra: as this grea fail in the way of evil and get hit Iu |w>kw tt faces and remembering resent 70,000 farmers m : Georgia, I feel rep^sen^ prond to can stand as the who are lighting this g - evil and feel that.behind 70.000 Mr. farmers Wright oHb^sta.e. planks of the platform * vlototyio °c.c" : r,M»- ^ party t; the wo they vote as one man, as joined by the moral elem* state. cal.e called to tbl Attention . was selection of DM W ™ the general *»«M torney anotnt rv to select- ] from the etate held that place. 31r - ‘ ^ ■; attorney general attention nt jon vi$ tors, and when this Mr. Collins was place. Walter _ B. b Hill was 561 Mr. m gallery by 8°®*°? rite J to » made that he ^ ffl0tioE *i convention, t tber» : and Mr. HiU jto * {b gallery and r ‘ ■ His speech SibJey was 01 Ang nst Major half » i hers, - in by his two been long ted to m the J* eonv * ^ presen and the convert of treas' for the office of Georgia- uniml A few *** . cons idered * was annenneed
