The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-07-21
Democratic Chairman Jones, who
Is Boss Steerer, Determined His
Ticket Shall BE IndOrsed.
DEMANDS OF THE RADICALS
s.MIDDLE-OF-THE-R PEOPLE
FULL OF VISIONARY SCHEMES.
Want Their Own Candidates NOmina-
ted on a Platform Embracing the
Widest Populist Theories.

ST. LOUIS, July 20.-The Populist situa-
ton did not crystalline to-day. The leaders
are at war over the question or indorsng or
nominating Bryan. Some, like Ex-Governor
Lewelling, Senator Allen. of Nebraska;
Gen. John b. Weaver, of Iowa, who was
the PoDulist candidate for President in
1892: Captain Reuben +. Kolb,, of Alabama,
who claims he was twice defrauded of the
governor ship of his State; Editor Thomas
Patterson and Governor Waite OF Colorado.
are earnestly striving for an Endorsement
of the Chicago ticket. Chairman Taube-
neck, Ignatius Donnelly, of Minnesota. Sen
ator Butler, of North Carolina, ex-Gov-
ernor Buchanan, of Tennessee. General
Coxey, of Ohio, want to indorse Bryan un-
der terms laid down by them, while "Cy-
clone" Davis, of Texas, Paul Vandervort.
of Nebraska, Col. Frank Burxett, of Mis-
sissippi, and others want to keep in the
middle of the road and nominate an inde-
pendent ticket on an Independent platform.
Each faction asserts that ii desires to pre-
serve the autonomy of the party organiza-
ton and its way is the way. Shipwrecked
hopes and a bolt seem inevitable. no mat
ter what the ultimate outcome is.
The Bryan supporters claim to be the ma
jority. They well organized. Their
leaders are shrewd and sagacious-many of
them experienced politicians-and in ad-
dition TO this they have the open and ac-
tive support of the silver party leaders.
whose convention is likely to be simply
a Bryan ratification meeting, and of Sena-
tor Jones, chairman of the Democratic ma
tional committee, who is here with his lieu
tenants striving to this end. Their strength
spreads over the entire country west of
the Missouri, where the cause of silver is
ral pa mo mt ATan of he I1Io
this section, like Lewelling and Patterson.
declare that if Bryan is not nominated or
Endorsed here nine-tenths of the Populsts
will support him and the identity of the
Populist party in the West will be de-
stroyed.
The ''middle-of-the-road" Populists are
mostly from the South. where, for several
years. they say. it has been war to the knife
and knife TO the hilt in their battle with the
Democracy. and they have nailed their ban
ner to the mast. They will have neither
surrender nor fusion. They have captured
scattering votes in the West and quite a
number from the Pacific coast l Califor-
MIA they claim a majority of the delega-
ton. They are extremely radical Their
headquarters at the Laclede are constantly
filled with pushing. noisy mass OF people
The halls are placarded with notices and
editorials from Populist papers demanding
the repudation of the Chicago ticket and
several orators are usually talking to the
crowd at the same time An irredeemable
currency and direct legislation are pro-
claimed to be the foundations of their
faith. The initiative and referendum
scheme. which is to originate all legislation
with the people and refer il back to them
for Endorsement, is the keystone note of
their arch.
WANT NO SUPREME COURT.
I'VE want to do away with the Supreme
Court. that sits above the people," shouted
one of their orators this afternoon. Then
We will remonetize silver. have government
ownership of railroads and telegraphs. en-
act immigration and income laws and
crush the monopoies and trusts that have
us by the throats.' These men will proba-
bly, bolt in any event. although there are
evidences of split in some of the Southern
| delegations like that of Texas.
! The basis of representation is one dele
| gate for each Senator and Representative
and one for each 1900 Populist votes cast
| Under this apportionment Texas and North
| Carolina have the largest delegations
| twenty-five each. our-of a total of about
1900. In North Carolina the fusion Populist
| and Republican votes are counted and
| prise almost one-sixteenth of the conven-
| tion Georgia, which is also claimed by the
| "middle-of -the-road faction, has sixty
| one. The largest of the Bryan delegations
| is Kansas with ninety-two. Alabama.
which is for Bryan has fifty-four and Ne
| braska fifty-one. The Bryan people claim.
on a preliminary canvass that takes no ac-
count Of those delegations which have not
yet put in appearance. 423 votes. Their
claims. however. are disputed In several
| quarters.
| The real fight appears to be between the
Bryan supporters and those who insist on
| a compromise that will give official in
dorsement of the Populist organization. A
great many plans for this compromise have
| been suggested. the basis OF all of which is
the adoption of separate platform and a
| division OF the electoral votes. AS to the
rest. the plans differ. Some desire sep
! arafe ticket. others are willing to accept
| the Chicago nominees To-day there was
| movement in favor Of division Of the
ticket. Bryan was to head 1t. and some