The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-07-20
TWO FACTIONS OF THE PoPULrsTs
HOLD PRELIMINARY MEET
INGS.
BRYAN EvADEs PLEDGES.
HIS SUPPORTERS HAVE NO PROM
IsE OF RECOGNITION IN CASE
a. OF HIS SUCCESS.
ANTS HOLD A SECRET SESSION.
Strongest Opposition to the Chicago
Candidate Comes From the
Southern Delegates.

ST. LOUIS, Mo-, J:ly 19-There was
a meeting at the Lindell hotel tonight
in the interest of Bryan. Chairman
Jones, of the Democratic national
committee. met at the station sena-
tor Stewart, OF Nevada; Gov. Stone.
Of Missouri: M. c. Wetmore, Of ST..
Louis, and John F. Martin, who was
sergeant-at-arms Of the Democratic
convention, who were waiting for him.
The party drove to the Planters ho-
tel where a short conference was held.
Gov. Stone Informed Senator Jones
as to the situation here, saying that
he Populists were willing to endorse
Bryan If they could be assured that
they would not be Disseminated
against. Later Senator Jones attend
ed a meeting of the Bryan men at the
Bryan headquarters In the Lindell.
About sixty men were present and
quite large number Of states repre-
sented, among them being Missouri,
: Maryland, California. Kansas, Ne
braska, Nevada, CoIorado, Utan, OK
1ahoma, Iowa and Washington. At
this conference Gen. ]. B. Weaver, Of
q
man, and Fred L. Bailey, of Oklaho-
ma, Mr. Merritt, of Nebraska, and Mr.
Young, of Kansas, secretaries. 1t was
decided to push the Bryan movement
with vigor, either for nomination or
an Endorsement. Senator Jones was
asked as to what the Populists could
expect in the way Of recognition in
case Bryan should be indorsed by the
'Populist party. Senator Jones replied
that in the event of Mr., Bryan's cleo
t1on to the presidency, he would know
no party, and would recognize all those
who would rally to his support. Pop
ulists were not to be looked upon as
step-ehildren. The recognition Of all
silver men would be equal. This an
nouncement was received with ap-
planse by the Bryan Populists pres
ent. Senator Jones made further obser-
vations about this years campaign be-
ing a fight by. all the people for the
people, and that no small differences
should stand in the way Of united
action. He also urged them to organ
ize as the silver forces organized in
Chicago. Both Of these statements
were received with applause. After
had a conference with Senaor Butler,
Of North Carolina, and urged him to
use his influence with Southern dele
cations to support Bryan, as it was
from these delegations that the prin-
cipal opposition to Bryan came.
1t was stated in the meeting that
Mr.. Bryan had formally declined to
make any specific pledges, notwith-
eff ar ha ho Inv +0
do so. Those of the delegates present,
who had seen him since his nomination
at Chicago, stated that Mr.. Bryan had
said to them that the Populists must
trust him as he proposed to trust them,
but that under no circumstances would
he make any promise of appointments
of any character to men of any party.
This sentiment was generally applaud
ed as courageous in view of the pros
sentiment was construed to mean that
Mr.. Bryan meant to be fair to all his
supporters In all respects, in case of
his election.
There were twenty-five states repre-
sented in the meeting and while all
those present were not able to pledge
their entire delegations, all spoke hope
fully of the outlook. The meeting was
too limited in numbers however to en-
able those present to- form any intelli-
gent idea as to whether the Bryan
forces would be able to control the
convention. The discussion of the plans
of proceeding was general and all
urged that no steps should be left un-
taken to secure the union of the silver
forces in the campaign which all
present agreed could only be done
through the endorsements of Bryan and
Sewall. There was unanimous resolve
to withstand to the utmost the effort
of the Middle of the Road men to
name a separate ticket Committees
were appointed to look after all the
details of the organization and an ad-
journment was taken until tomorrow.
ANTI-BRYAN POPULISTS
held a secret meeting In Chairman
Taubeneck's room at the Lindell to-
night. Among those present were
Ignatius Donnelly, of Minnesota;
Cyclone Davis, of Texas; w.
Mcdowell or Arkansas; and
others They discussed the situa-
ton behind closed doors and under
strict injunctions of secrecy for hours
At midnight the meeting was still in
session. Those who emerged from the
room while the meeting was in prog
ress declined absolutely to talk. AS
Mcdowell left he met Mr.. Patterson, Of
Colorado, and in the course of a brief
conversation said that while it was
possible for the Democrats and Popu-
lists to get together the Democrats
must meet them half way. I'VE must
maintain the identity Of our organiza-
tion," said he. "If you refuse to ac-
cept this opportunity to Join the Demo-
Gratis In the restoration of silver" re-
piled Mr.. Patterson emphatically, 'the
object for which we have been fighting,
you need not worry about the identity
of the party. There VIII be no party.
You'll have no following. The indi-