The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-07-23
Some of the Anti-Bryanites Confident
the Opposition Tempered with
the Electric Wires.
SOUTHERNERS LIKELY TO BOLT
MIDDLE-OF-THE-RO STEERING
COMMITTEE IN A PLIGHT.
Asked Ignatius DOnnelly to Accept
the Permanent Craftsmanship and
then Selected j. Z. CampiOn.

ols LUIS, July <--1nc SiludliOH tO-
might in this convention-ridden city
points more strongly to Bryans in
dorsement or nomination. In fact, the
Bryan managers declare that they alb
solutely certain that so far as the head of
the ticket is concerned they are out of the
woods. But with regard to Sewall they ad-
nit privately that there is grave doubt.
and that there is now probably majority
of the convention against the Bath ship
builder. They are using all their energies
TO prevent complications that would follow
an Endorsement of Bryan and the nomina-
ton of a Popuist for Vice President. The
middle-of-the-road men cannot even get to-
gether on candidate for President Debs
is their favorite, but the Bryan managers
say they have word that he will decline the
further use of his name. If Populist is
not named for Vice President, there is
sure to be bolt of some of the Southern
delegations. But the Bryan managers. it is
said, would welcome such a bolt if il come
with victory for the whole Chicago ticket.
They claim that they will undoubtedly con-
troll the committees on permanent
organization and resolutions, which are to
be announced tomorrow, they have a
majority of the State and Territorial dele
cations. 1t is their purpose, If they control,
to frame platform along the lines of the
Chicago platform, with as few concessions
to the radicals as possible. For permanent
chairman there is a good deal of talk of
boths Senator Allen and General Weaver,
but the former desires to remain on the
floor, and General Weaver has been select
ed to nominate the silver knight OF the
West 1t seems probable, therefore. that
another will be selected, perhaps ex-Gov-
I ipo py
of Kansas. The midde-of-the-road con-
tingent desires Ignatius Donnelly. After
the additional committees announced
| tomorrow and the report of the committee
| on credentials is disposed of Mrs. Lease
will regale the convention with her oratory.
| ~ recess will then be taken uatil night
| when the permanent chairman Will be in
| stalled and the fight on the platform be-
| gun The nomination of candidates cannot
| be made therefore, until Friday at the
| earliest
| The middle-of-the-road men held an in
| formal meeting after they left the conven-
| ton hall tonight and there were many
| expressions of suspicion regarding the fail
| ure to have it lighted They pointed out
| that they had arranged for an adjourn ned
| meeting an hour and half previous to
| the time set for the convention to recon-
| vene and that they would not have inter-
| fered with the convention, as the business
| they had to transact could have been dis
| posed of very easily. 1t was also pointed
| out by several delegates that none of the
| officers of the convention, and no member
| of the executive committee, except "Cy-
| clone Davis, appeared until within few
| minutes of the time when Mr.. Butler de-
| clared the convention in recess. The Texas
| men were very bitter in their denunciation
| of the manner in which the middle-of-the-
| road men had been treated, although Mr..
Davis had made an explanation Of the rea-
| son why there lights. The wire
| connection which lights the hall had been
| damaged by the rain and 1T was said that
| il was the only wire that had been dam
aged 1t was impossible for the linemen of
| the company to fix it, few men dared
to fool with electric light wires This ex-
| PLANTATION not at all satisfactory to
| the steering committee Of the middle-of-
| the-road men. who held an executive ses-
sion tonight for the purpose of determin-
| ing a plan of action. 1t was stated that
! if Mr.. Butler did not appear in the con-
| yention again the middle-of-the-road men
would take charge and run i: themselves
| Another explanation made by the middle
! of-the-road men, indicating that the Bryan
| men did not want meeting Tonight. was
| that demonstration against Bryan. such
| as might have appeared when the executive
| committee reported in favor of the nomi-
| nation of Donnelly for permanent chair
| man, would be disastrous 10 the Bryan in
| terests. Members of the contingent assert
| ed that the Bryan men wanted delay in or
| der TO secure men from the anti Bryan
| ranks. They claimed the Bryan men were
| sending delegates to see Senator Jones,
! chairman OF the Democratic committee.
| and their delegates who were slightly way
| ering were being fixed for Bryan at the
| Democratic headquarters. Another thing
| was noticed by some of the alert middle-of-
| the-road men. When Mrs Lease was about
| to tall. TO the meeting General Weaver
rushed down and said that she must not
| do so. He held a whispered consultation
| with her and she then stated that she
| would not talk until the hall was lighted.
| All OF these things, taken III connection
| with the fact that the hall was lighted
within twenty-five minutes after Chairman
| Butler adjourned the convention, and
| after every delegate had left the build
ing, had created great deal OF suspicion
| in the minds OF the middle-of- -the-road
| men that they were not getting fair
deal" The impression prevails among a
/ large number OF them that they are prac-
tically defeated and that q nomination will
be rendered 20 Bryan, and the talk among