Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-23
BEFORE THE CONVENTIONS MET.
Middle-of-the-ROad PopuHsts Ga
Up Their Conference.

Aiddle-ef-the-ROad PopuHsts Gave
Up Their Conference.
ST. LOUIS. July 23-Defegates both pop
ulist and silver, were abroad early today,
and they gathered in groups in the hotel
Hobbies or on the street corners and ar
gued with one another and wrangied and
made speeches, and often became greatly
excited. Many of them engaged IN this
harmless sport until long after midnight,
and 1t was after the second Growing of the
cock when some of the enthusiasts retired.
So it was that today many Of the dele
gates appeared with red eyes and looked
tagged out and weary.
AS to the weather. the day began bright,
clear and hot. At 9 o'clock the afr be-
came oppressive. and as the sun rose in
the sky it increased with q vengeance. 1t
was sultry, steamy heat. which caused
the perspiraticn to stand out in great
beads on the faces OF the swelterlng thou
sands who tramped the streets.
The middle OF the road populists, at least.
the leaders, appeared to realize this morning
for the first time that they could not con-
troll the situation. and although the rank
and file still cried for absolutely indie
pendent action. most of the leaders were
talking compromise on the basis of pop
ulist vice presidential nomination and q
division Of electors. They have made many
mistakes, and perhaps none will prove
more costly than the ignominious dumping
of 1gnatius Donnelly. whom they had Sc
lected their candidate for permanent
chairman. for man named Cainpion of
Maine, who Is bitterly opposed to Sewlll.
Donnelly was selected only last evening
and 1ettlsoned before midnight. His friends
are very much disgruntled
Furthermore. the middle of the readers
cannot get control of the committee which
will formulate the action of the convention.
The Bryan men consider that they have
Bryan's nomination practically assured,
and they are working like beavers to save
SeWaH. Should they be beaten in this the
chances seem to favor the nomination of
A. l.. MimmS of Tennessee.
A middle Of the road meeting was sche-
duied at the convention hail at $50 this
morning. but it did not materiaize The
delegates were either too tired to come to-
gether or 1t was evident to them that moth
ing could be accomplished
Quite a large number of delegates as
sured Mr.. Donneily that they intend to sup
port him, but the steering committee re-
manned firm In its intention to stand by
Campion. This will cause a further d.
vision In the already unorganized ranks of
the middle of the road men and the Bryan
adherents will doubtless be able to easily
select their man for permanent chairman
The middle Of the road contingent are also
talking about other candidates, in hope of a
compromise Of some kind.
The Bryan men seemed much inclined to
select Senator Allen of Nebraska for chair
man.
w. r. Lamb of Texas has prepared n
resolution which he will offer to the plat
form committee, denouncing and demand
ing that the present government Of Indian
territory be abolished, and the lands SUBJ
divided and disposed Of and steps be taken
to organize the five Civilized tribes into a
state government.