The San Francisco call., 1896-07-30
The Outrageous Scheme Proposed
g. +. by Senator Allen of
Nebraska.
SEEKING TO SECURE EASTERN
VOTES.
Result of Resolution Rushed
Through the Peoples Party
= Convention.

WASHINGTON, D. c., July 29.-There
is said to be on foot project so bold and
audaclous that only the desperate deter
mination of the Democratic managers to
win the election next fall by any means,
fair or foul, can furnish warrant for its
belief. The project is said to be nothing
.elseothan to force Tom Watson of Georgia
off the PopuIist ticket. Senator Allen of
Nebraska, the foremost Populist in the
party, is said to have conceived this
scheme and to have found in Senator
Jones of Arkansas, leader of the Demo-
cratic campaign, and Senator Jones OF
Nevada, the brainiest and most energetic
man in the. Silver party, able and willing
allies.
During the Populist convention in st.
Louis last week Senator Jones of Arkansas
was constantly on the ground and was in
Communication with Senator Allen of
Nebraska. Mr.. Jones of Nevada was also
present, attending either the Silver con-
vention or seated among the distinguished
guests on the platform of the Populists.
The three Senators worked hand in hand.
Their purpose was to secure fusion be-
tween the three parties and the indorse-
ment of the Democratic ticket by both
of Nevada carried out his part of the pro-
gramme. The Silver party indorsed Bryan
and SewalL Senator-AIlen succeeded only
partially. Mr.. Bryan was nominated, but
even the influence of the Nebraska Senator
was powerless TO force the Maine million
aire and National bank president down
the throats of the Populists, and so the
combination was defeated in that conven.
ton,
1t was an easy matter, however TO de-
ceive by parliamentary trickery the ignor-
ant delegates who attended that remark
able convention. To these people parlia-
mentary law was almost unknown, and it
was therefore not difficult for Messrs.
Jones and eAlIen, whose experience in the
United. States Senate, aided perhaps by
'shrewd counsel from distinguished Demo
Gratis who were not in st. Louis during the
convention, to devise scheme by which
the plan of making the Populist ticket
Bryan and Sewall, instead of Bryan and
oWstson, might yet be carried OUT In the
closing moments'of the convention, when
those delegates who were not indulging in
ofstlcuffs were putting on their hats and
coats preparatory to leaving, an innocent
resolution was introduced authorizing the
executive committee to fill vacancies,
Senator Allen, who was presiding,
changed the verbiage of this motion so
that it authorized the committee, on the
dissolution of the convention, to exercise
'plenary powers and to all things that the
convention might do if In session. Before
any delegate could have protested, even if
he had been shrewd enough to discover
the hidden purpose, Mr.. Allen declared
the motion carried.
The purpose of this resolution now be-
comes apparent. 1t was intended at first
to bring pressure to bear on Mr.. Watson
to influence him to resign from the ticket.
Recent interviews with that gentleman
would seem to indicate that he has no
such intention. His candidacy, however,
is recognized by the three conspirators as
being simply impossible and his presence
on the ticket would make the Ponulist
campaign ridiculous, therefore if he can
not be induced TO withdraw by persuasion
his retirement will be accomplished by
force Irwill be held that the Populist
convention gave to the executive COM
mittee full power to take any action
which oln the committees opinion is for
the best interests of the Populist party
They will hold that Mr.. Watson's with
dfawal is imperative and will, therefore
officially promulgate the ticket of the
Populist party to be Bryan and Sewall.
They know that there will be a howl
from the South, but this is a matter of
indifference to them. The solid South can
be relied upon for the Democratic ticket.
by hook or crook, and no questions asked.
Senator Allen himself knows from his
efforts ali last year TO bring about an in
vestIgation of the methods by which
Democrats in Alameda carried the ticket
against the fusion of the Populists that
even if questions are asked they will not
be answered. The Eastern Populists are
those whose votes the combine is plan
ming to secure, and in the West Mr.. Sewall,
in spite of his millions and his National
bank relations, is much stronger than the
Congressional clown, Watson.
To Mr. Allen will be intrusted the prac-
tical execution of the scheme. He is an
able man and full of determination, and if
he finds that it is safe to perpetrate this
high-handed outrage on the rights and
liberties of the mob that met at st. Louis
last week he will not hesitate TO carry it
out.