The San Francisco call., 1896-07-20
Division in the Ranks Certain
Whether or Not Bryan
Is Endorsed.
A STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE.
The ST Louis Convention May Be the
Last of the Peoples
Party.
THE CALLS HEADQUARTERS }
HOTEL LINDELL, :
ST. LoUIs. Mo-. Julv 10


tional conventions of the Silver and Pop
ulist parties will assemble in this city.
They give promise of being notable and
historical gatherings. 1t will be the first
National convention of the Silver party.
1t may be the last National convention of
the Peoples party. The issues which ce-
ment the former seem to divide the latter.
The silverites are modestly iubilant over
the triumph OF six months OF party his
tory. The National organization was Gre
ated less than half year ago. They de-
clare that they forced the Chicago con-
vention to adopt the issue which they had
made before the country and incorporate
it as the chief plank in the platform on
which the Democrats now seek the suf-
frage of the people. Now the Peoples
party are asked to take like action. If 1t
does not the silverites within its ranks
threaten dire vengeance. Should the Pop
ulists accept these overtures and indorse
the nomination of Bryan they say it prac-
ticallv means the abolition of the party.
Another danger confronts the party in
that the silver wing, which forms an es-
sentially strong element of the party, hav-
ing declared for Bryan, will bolt the ticket
unless he is indorsed, so that the Peoples
party is threatened with dissolution on
every side. and it will require iudicious
action to keep it from utter humiliation.
Interest to-day centered about the ar.
rival of Senator Jones, chairman Of the
Democratic National Committee. The
Senator came in tonight and soon after
his arrival his rooms at the Planters
Hotel were besieged by leaders of his own
and other parties. He held a conference
with Senator Stewart, Governor Stone,
Tom Patterson of Colorado and Commit
teeman Tom Alison of Alabama.
Senator Jones will endeavor to ssiolIv'
the middle-of-the-road Populists. He re-
fused to say that he would accept or reject
the Taubeneek fusion plan relative to the
electoral vote. He declares that the in
dorsement of Bryan can be had without
making any concessions to the ultra wing
of the Peoples Party. Many prominent
Democrats, however, believe that be is
mistaken on this point and eventually
will be obliged to meet the anti Bryan
people at least half way. Patterson re-
ported that ne had met Bryan at Lincoln,
Nebr., and discussed the situation with
him. He said that the Presidential candi-
date told him that he would abide by
whatever his friends did in ST. Louis.
The different factions are holding con-
ferences tonight and the hot, sultry air is
full OF suppressed excitement. The silver
men are trying to sidetrack the Populists
Should they succeed they will have ac-
complished the purpose for which their
party was organized.
AS the day approaches on which the two
conventions will be held the confidence of
the silverites in their ultimate triumph
noticeably increases. While the middle
of-the-read Populists were at church to-
day the silver men put in their time ham
mering the little boomlets that had
sprung up in opposition to Bryan.
Senator Stewart stood in the lobby of
the Lindeli Hotel to-day and unulercifully
scored the anti-Bryan factions assembled
there. He was supported by General
Weaver. During the day Chairman
Taubeneck OF the Populist National Com
mittee dropped in. He is especially an
tagonistIc to the proposition of indorsing
Bryan. Senator Stewart, knowing his
position, lost no time in engaging him in
consultation. The Senator seemed irrita-
bic at the attitude lately assumed by
Taubeneck, and ne freely expressed his
contempt for him. Taubeneck, he said,
had all along been favorable to the in
dorsement of silver man by the Popu-
lists.
Stewart had conferred with Taubeneck
during the Chicago convention and some
people say there was an understanding
between them as TO what course the two
National parties now assembling in St.
Louis should pursue. Those who are on
the inside say that Senator Stewart to-day
intimated to Taubeneck that he had prob
ably "seen the light" It was not neces-
sarily The same light that st. Paul had
seen, but nevertheless it came from the
east.
Taubeneck is fighting the efforts of the
Bryan men to secure the latter's indorse-
ment with might and main. He has been
very active all day marshaling the forces
of those who think and act with him, and
he feels especially encouraged since the ar
rival of Ignatius Donnelly OF Minnesota
to-day. The Baconian theorist and author
is pretty much of the same mind as Mr..
Taubeneck regarding the Endorsement of
Bryan, which seems to be the predomi-
mating issue now before the Populists.
Donnelly is anxious to continue the exist
ence of the party, OF which he claims to
be one of the sponsors. he realizes that
fusion with the Democrats would practi-
caIly mean their absorption by the party
OF Jefferson. He is willing TO accept the
Taubeneck plan of placing a straight
ticket in the field, and in case the Demo
Gratis secure majority to cast the Popu-
list vote for Bryan in the Electoral College.
This arrangement seems to be making
considerable headway. The silver men
are hopeful of checkmating it. before final
action is taken. General Coxey of Ohio is
lending his aid to Taubeneck and Donnelly
TO uphold the principles of the party, and
hold its dividing factions together. He,
too, has proposed a plan for the conven-
ton to follow: Said he:
LET each State committee of the Demo-
cratic, the Populist and the Prohibition
parties in the various States pro rata the