The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-08-14
HARD STRUGGLE
FOR FUSION
Washington Democrats, Pops and Pree
Silyerites Cannot Agree on
the Terms.
WHEAT WORTH ONE DOLLAR
After Election frssent Salaries kili Be
None too HIGH. Says Governor Teats
They Don't Like TO Ride
on Passes.

Ellensburg, Wash, August 13.-The
Populist state convention spent the en-
tire morning and afternoon sessions In
discussing the platform, which was
read to the convention last night. The
planks which caused the most animated
discussion were those relating 10 a
reduction Of the salaries OF officials
and eOndemning officials for using rail-
road passes.
Governor Teats. Of Tacoma, was the
only delegate who was in favor Of
keeping the salaries at the present
standard. He said that after election
wheat would be worth a dollar. and
that the present salaries would be none
too high then. Several delegates com
mended Pennoyer. Of Portland. for what
they termed his sacrifice In cutting
his own salary in half While the dele
gates appeared to be almost unanI-
mousIy in favor Of the plank, it took
two hours discussion TO settle the mat
ter
There was a long discussion over the
plank condemning the use Of passes
by officials. and some bitter feeling was
engendered. 1t appeared that several
Of the delegates had been accused Of
riding on passes. These delegates ex-
planned that they had been presented
with passes, but that they had not US
ed them.
The question of condemning the ad-
ministration OF Gov McGraw as a
whole was brought up. but Chairman
Cline suggested that it would be wiser
policy TO condemn the specific acts Of
the governor. in order that the party
might have material to use in the cam
paign. The suggestion of the chairman
was finally adopted. and condemna-
tory resolution Incorporated in the
platform. A resolution was offered ia
voring the improving Of the Columbia
river. but at the suggestion of King
county delegate was tabled. The plat
form was adopted. After the adoption
Of the platform the convention took a
recess.
The Democrats held no session in the
afternoon, but at p. m. met and re-
ceived the report Of the conference
committee with the Popullsts and Sill
yer Republicans. The committee ask
ed for and was granted further time.
The convention then adjourned until
10 p. m. and at that hour further ad-
journment was taken until tomorrow
at $3.50.
The Silver Republican convention
met tonight and received the report Of
the conference committee. The COM
mittee was sent back with instructions
to negotiate further and attempt to
bring about fusion. The convention
then adjourned until $50 tomorrow.
The conference committees from the
three conventions met today at IL
o'clock, The Populist committee con-
sisted of thirty-two members. the Dem
ocrats thirty-one, and the Free Silver
Republicans nineteen, or one member
from each county. represented in the
conventions.
Miles c. Moore, the Silver Republican
from Walla Walla, was chosen chair
man. and ". c. Rutter, the Silver Re
publican of Seattle, was selected as
The propositions were all re-
jected, and the committees prepared re-
ports to their respective conventions Of
their inability TO agree and asked for
further instructions. Adjournment was
then taken till p. m.
When the convention re-convened, the
report Of the conference committee re-
iecting the propositions by the Dem
ocrats and Silver Republicans for fu-
sion was submitted. AS soon as the
report was read a storm broke out and
FOR two hours the convention listened
to a stirring debate on a motion to re-
,eive the report and discharge the com
nittee. An amendment was made to
The motion to send the committee back
without Instructions Richard Windsor
md ]. B. Hart, of Seattle, advised mod
eration and asked the convention to
further consider fusion. At $50 a vote
was taken and the amendment was
'arried with wild hursah. The con-
'ention then adjourned until o'clock
tomorrow morning. The conference
committee then returned to treat fur
her with the other conference COM
nittees.
There is a brisk trade in second