Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-07-23
POPULISTS AND
silver PARTY
Their National Convention in
S6ssInn in the City
Of St. Louis. ~
CROWD WITH THE "POPS"
The SilVeriteS Not Attracting Scarcely
ANY Public Attention.
PLANS OF "MlDDLE-OF-ROAD' MEN
Probability of No Fight or
Senator Butler.
Associated Press plspatoh BY Special wires.

hsSoclatcu fress plsphpch py special wires
st. Louis, No., July 22. The day
for the opening Of the two national con.
ventions broke clear and bright, in
striking contrast with the dark. gloomy
and dripping skies which have been
like shadow over the preliminary
days of the conventions.
Before 10 o'clock the crowds and
delegates began to file in steady streams
toward the Popuists' convention hall.
The Bryan and the middle Oft the
road" factions wore both Rirded for
the fray and both claimed the victory.
The first test of strength was eagerly
looked forward TO, as it would prove
which was in the majority. So far as
the silver convention was Concerned
there was little or no public interest
In 1t. The attention of the public was
oil for the Populist gathering.
Hon. T. M. Patterson OF Colorado,
has received the following telegram
from o. B. Bentall of Galveston, Texas
"The Populists Of South Texas will
fight for silver under the banner of
Bryan and Sewall. The disciples of
Web Flanagan can keep in the
middle OF the road till doomsday"
PLANS OF "MIDpLE-oF-THE-Ro MEN.
The "midde-of- the-road' men have
decided to place o. d. Jones Of Mis-
souri, in nomination for temporary
chairman against Senator Marion But
Ter, who has been selected by the Ma
tional Committee. The "middle-of-
the-road" men have not held any
formal meeting but the agreement was
reached among the few leaders who
gathered this morning. The mid
dle-of- the-road" men are not to be
frightened by the threat that Jones is
uot delegate and claim that any man
:an be chosen chairman. 1t was also
announced early to-day that definite
agreement had been reached to place
Paul Vapdervert of Nebraska, in nomi-
nation in opposition to Bryan. Van
dervert has consented to run before the
convention and says he will give them
all the fight be has in him. The
'middle.of- the-rosd" men arc not all
well organized and they have no
definite idea of their own strength on
the temporary craftsmanship o. the
nomination of candidates.
PROBABLY NO FIGHT ON BUTLER.
The probabilities now are that there
will be littlo or no opposition to the
selection of Senator Butler for tempor-
ary chairman. just before going to
the convention the Texas delegation
decided not to make any fight on him,
believing that it was unwise to show
their strength. The Texas delegation
is the backbone of the middle -of.the-
road" movement and its action is
likely 10 influence the other anti. Bryan
men in the convention.
1t was stated at the Texas meeting
that Butler could not harm the cause
by any speech he might make, as he
could be answered. The Texas men
were not harmonious and there were
heard many expressions against But
ler. Some of the delegates reserved the
right to support any one they pleased
IN opposition to the choice of the ma
tional committee.
At the caucus Of the silver organiza-
tion delegates to-day committee was
appointed to confer with the Populists
with view to soidifying the forces.
CONVENTION OF "PoPs."
The Populist convention was called
to order at l2. 30 p. m.
LII p. m.-Mary Ellen Lease has
Just gone upon the platform and ia
cheered. Temporary Chairman Butler
is now speaking.
THE FREE SILVER CONVENTION.
The delegates to the silver oonven-
tion were slow in assembling al the
Grand Music Hall and there were not
enough visitors to fill the galleries
when j. K. Mott, chairman of the Ma
tional Committee, called the conven-
tion to order. He. too, was tardy and
it was long after IL o'clock when be
stepped to the platform and raped for
order But it was not surprising that
the delegates. the visitors and the
chairman should have been slow in
coming together. The weather was
intensely hot. Prayer was offered,
after which Miss Lille b. Pierce OF
this city read the Declaration of Inde-
pendence. This caused an outburst of
applause.
When the call had been read Cngress.
man f. G. NeYlands was introduced
as temporary chairman and proceeded
to make his address.