The San Francisco call., 1896-07-21

would abandon their party and 20 in with
the Democrats and vote for Bryan so that
silver might be free every man, woman
and child in the community would get
from the Government barrel full of brand
new silver dollars, that poverty and all
economic evils would disappear, and that
therefore the Populistic party would have
no reason for further existence.
In all these contentious the middle-of-
the-road men, who are easily distinguished
by the white ribbon which thev wear.
stood firmly to their principles They let
the spielers talk, but will not admit a
solitary proposition. They say that there
are other things more important. so far as
the welfare OF the people is concerned,
than the financial question. There is the
governmental ownership and control of
railroads, which important issue seemed
to be altogether forgotten in the present
controversy.
Toward evening the silver men began to
grow more jubllant, and it became whis-
pered about among the councils of the
miners that Taubeneck, Weaver and other
leaders of the Populists would be able to
fix things all right for the silver people.
While it was felt that to insist upon the
Endorsement of Bryan might provoke q
storm it was deemed prudent to attain the
same results by that roundabout method
known as whipping the Democratic devil
around the Populist stump, and the silver
cohorts therefore set about to achieve bv
subtlety and indirection what they did not
dare openly advocate.
"All these little differences will be set
tied up" said a delegate from Tennessee
to me this afternoon. ''The bad feeling
between the Southern Democrats and the
Southern Populists will be patched up by
concessions which will be of advantage to
both. This mob down here on the floor
don't know anything about it, but then
things have all been fixed up by the lead
ers ana VIII be presented on the floor of
the convention, backed by strong follow
ing. The details are now being arranged.
1t Is proposed, in order to prevent any
treachery, that the Populists should put
up two OF their people for President and
Vice-President and nominate their quota
OF Presidential electors in each State.
Then. If after election the Democrats
should fail to keep their promise, the
Populist electors can cast their votes for
the Populist candidates for President and
Vice-President."
What are the Populists going to get
out of this?" I asked.
well" said the Tennesseean, hesitat-
ingly, II have not learned all the details
yet, but they are being arranged and will
no doubt be satisfactory to both parties"
It will be rememb bered that early in the
fight several Populist leaders who came
on the ground a week ago spent consid-
cradle time chasing Democratic leaders all
over the country, for no other purpose l
can imagine than to tempt the Democracy
to make an improper proposal to the Popu-
lists. With the arrival of Senator Jones
of Arkansas and Governor Stone of Mis-
souri,, the political partners of Governor
Altgeld and boosters for William ]. BRYAN
and the decaying Democracy, the pursuit
ended and the details of this gigantic con-
spiracy were at once entered upon. The
object of the conspiracy was the destruc-
ton of the Peoples party by throwing the
weight of its influence for the Democratic
nominees.
AT first this was designed to be accom-
plished by the Endorsement of Bryan ard
Sewall, but the temper OF the delegates
was found to be sucn that it would nor be
discreet to make the proposition. Then it
was decided 10 accomplish the same end
indirectly. and the assistance of Populist
leaders who could be induced by promise
OF political preferment and things to betray