The Anaconda Standard

HIT WITH A CANE
BLOWS EXCHANGED AT THE POP CONFERENCE AT NASHVILLE.
Most of the Delegates Want to Take Their Populism Straight-Some Remarkable Resolutions.
Nashville, July 5.-The national conference people's party met here to-day. The conference was called to order by Milton Parks of Texas, who said this was a conference of men who believe in the principles enunciated at Omaha and St. Louis, in populism straight. J. S. Bradley of Texas was elected temporary chairman. There were about 600 delegates present. A committee on credentials was announced and adjournment to this afternoon.
The populist conference was called to order at 1:45 o'clock and ex-Governor John P. Buchanan delivered an address of welcome. Buchanan declared this was the most critical period which this advance movement in politics had ever had as foes beset behind and before and danger lurks within and without. F. D. Wimberly of Georgia, replied. His speech was in advocacy of non-fusion. The report of the committee on credentials showed that 353 delegates with proper credentials were present, representing 24 states, including three delegates from Montana.
The temporary organization was made permanent. A committee on resolutions consisting of one member from each state was appointed. During the afternoon a number of brief speeches were made and several resolutions were submitted. One of the resolutions offered was to the effect that hereafter any populist who advocated fusion should be forever ejected from the ranks. If Butler ever attempts to call a convention after the other parties have held their conventions, he shall be decapitated. This was the sum and substance of a third resolution.
The grand stand performance of the afternoon was given by Lindsley of Nashville and McDowell of Union City, Tenn. In a talk on Tennessee populism McDowell referred to Lindsley, whose whiskers are very red, as a red-headed hay sucker. Lindsley in turn said his little speech and bestowed upon McDowell the epithet of a mullet-headed buzzard, who had sold the populist party of Tennessee to the republicans every chance he got. McDowell could not stand that and he mounted the speaker's desk and rapped Lindsley over the head with a cane. Lindsley struck him and the two men clinched. They were separated, however, before any serious damage was done.
The majority of the delegates are opposed to fusion, but some lively times are expected when the committee on resolutions reports to-morrow.