Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-07-17
Action Of Popu|ists Watched
With Curiosity.
Will They Indorse Bryan or Will They
Not Is Question.
Third Party Want Promises Before Deciding
in Favor OF Democrats.

| ne fought, neat week, at s>t. Louis,
when the Populists and silver party
conventions assemble to decide what
| they will do.
| The average citizen is disposed to
look with lightness upon the gathering
in that big western city, but there is
not a politician in the country, Demo
crat, Republican or slverite who does
not know and feel the Importance of it,
| 1t can be seen at once where the i'm
portance comes in. To the Democrats
the endorsement of Bryan by the Popu
| list convention means much 1t means
II is urged by all silver men, the addi-
| ton oe several million votes to thu
ticket to replace probably that number
which will bolt To the Republicans
| the failure to endorse Bryan means
| there VIII be division of the silvel
vote in the country and the consequent
| Increase of the chances that the Re
publican nominees will be elected. The
| Popullst convention is referred to as
| of more interest than the silver con
| vention because the latter is almost
sure to endorse the nomination.
The Populists will likely find them
! selves more honored, next week. thar
they have ever been in the history OF
the country. They will find themselves
waited upon by the emissaries of tht
hitherto toploftical Democratic party
The Democrats win argue to the best
of their ability to secure Bryan's en-
dorsement. 1t is almost certain tina,
some Of the most prominent Demo
Gratis in the country will quietly turn
up at st. Louis about the time of tn,
To oil o,-l
ances they will be there as spectators
but they viii probably be clothed will
authority that is high and powerful
They will represent the wishes of tn,
Democratic nominee for President an5
of Senator Jones. the chairman of the
Democratic national committee. The,
will have power to deal in quiet wa,
with the Popuiists and to make prom
ises. Senator Jones himself may b,
there.
1t has been limited for some time tina
the PopuliStic opposition to the theY
probable Democratic nominee was be
cause the Populist leaders wanted
promises of cabinet places for them
selves. How many they want is /;
question. There is Senator Butler o
North Carolina. for instance He de
declares that Bryan will not be en-
dorsed by the convention. He an(
Senator PETER are practically the onl,
prominent Populists to make this kline
of an announcement. The others hav,
either said they would support Bryal
or they have kept their mouths shut
Now. it is said that Senator Butler
would like to get into the cabinet of
silver President somehow He would
like to be secretary of the Interior. ii i.
said. The same is the case with ;
number of others
Would their opposition to the nom
NEE cease. the question is asked /
from one to three of them We're prom
Used places in Bryan's cabinet? TIL,
silver Republicans are also going t,
want some cabinet places before the,
VIII agree to support the ticket That
matter will have to be attended to a
st. Louis by the representatives of Mr.
Bryan and the Democratic party. 'Ch,
promises will all have to be mad.
there. The Populists and silver mel
will want to know what they are goin:
to get before they agree to indorsc tn,
Democratic candidate. 1t has bee,
suggested and something may be don,
and silver people four of the nine cab.
met positions. besides making then
certain promises as to a division of the
other Offices
Many of the state Populist leaders
VINO nave so far spoken favor the in,
dorsement of Bryan The chairmen OF
all parties in Colorado joined in a tele-
gram to Mr.. Bryan. giving him then
support. The Populists and silver men
OF Utah and Oregon have pledged
their support, and Governor Lewelline
says the Nebraska Populists will in
dorse the nomination. In the st. Louis
convention, therefore. there are a
number of states which will unani-
mously support proposition to in
dorse Bryan.
What effect the nomination of Sew
all will have on the Populist indorse-
ment has been freely discussed. AT
iirst it was thought that his nomina-
ton would do much to scare the Pop
ullSts away. His bank and railroad
connections would, it was urged. be
against him. The statement that he is |
a protectionist WILL as Senator Chand-
Ter thinks, probably commend him to |
the Populists and Western silver Re
publicans. Sewall, however, it is be- |
lieved. will be lost sight of in the con
sideration given the matter at st.
Louis
The boiling of the gold Democrats
IN every state is calculated, it is said.
TO cement the silver men. 1t will do |
more toward securing the Populist in
dorsement than anything else 1t will
be apparent to the silver men that the
gold men are going to unite on one
ticket. The Importance of their doing
likewise will appeal to them strongly.
The probability of defeat, and of their
responsibility for it, will be put before
the Populists in hundred ways be-
tween now and next week Then. on
the other hand, the Populists will be
told that they are mere tools for the
Democrats. who are playing with /
them. In this way the st. Louis con-
vention will become about as emo
tional and sensational as the one
which has just closed at Chicago.
Continued on page % !