The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-07-25
What Message Bryan sent Jones and What
Use Was Made of it,

/
st. Louis, July 24-The reports cur
rent AZ the convention hall tonight that
Mr.. Bryan had announced his determi-
nation not to accept the Populist NOM
ination for president in case of the
rejection Of Sewall, was based upon
the following kilograms exchanged be-
tween Senator Jones and Mr.. Bryan:
'tSt. Louis, July 24.-To w. ]. Bryan.
Lincoln. Neb.: The Populists will
nominate vice president first. If not
Sewan. what shall We do. 1 favor your
destination in that case. Answer quick
| tSigned) James K. Jones, chairman
national Democratic committee"
Lincoln, judy Ex-senator James K.
Jones, chairman national Democratic
committee, St. Louis. l entirely agree
with you. Withdraw my name if Sew
all IS not nomina ted. (Signed) w. J..
Bryan
Senator Jones declined, when seen.
to express any opinion beyond that ex-
pressed in his telegram. He said he had
placed Mr.. Bryan's dispatch in the hand
of friends at the convention but that he
done nothing more toward withdraw
ing Mr.. Bryan'S name. He also said
he had learned Of the adoption of the
minority report OF the committee on
rules and order of business, overthrow
ing the usual order and placing the
nomination of the vice president ahead
Of that OF the president. within few
minutes after the report was adopted.
He Immediately sent the telegram to
Mr.. Bryan and within an hour an an
swer from the Democratic candidate
for president came back. II left no
doubt as 10 the attitude of Mr. Bryan
vention TO nominate Mr.. Sewau as we'll
as himself.
Soon after he received the message
Senator Jones had a copy OF it made
and dispatched the original to the Hon.
T. NJ. Patterson OF Colorado, who was
then at the Auditorium An effort
was made to confine their information
TO a few Of the leaders in the convention
hall but within half an hour it had
spread through the press gallery and
was known among many delegates.
The copy was sent to Chairman Chas.
W. Lane. Of the National cornmitte OF
the Silver party. The committee was
in session in room asa az the Southern
hotel, with a full membership present.
When told that the Popuiists were ac-
cuSing the Democrats Of being instru-
mental in having the lights turned out
ct Convention hail. the senator replied
Chat he was sorry the lights were ex-
ttnguished, thus preventing the Popu-
lists from completing their work. He
declined to say whether he thought
Mr. Bryan might change his mind. or
10 discuss the possibilities OF the s!tu-
alton from any standpoint
IT is understood since the adjournment
that an effort will be made 10 secure
Bryan's consent TO accept the nomins-
ton. The middle of the road men saw
that with Bryan out OF the way the
Eight viii narrow down 20 Norton Of IL
iinois and Dsbs OF Indiana
Senator Jones said afterwards that
he was firmly convinced that he had
pursued the proper course in sending
him dispatch and that Mr.. Bryan. as
a self-respecting and honorable man.
could have done no less than he had
done in asking that his name should be
Withdrawn, after r had been decided
10 sacrifice his companion on the ticket
Mr.. Bryan's friends say the dispatch
IS not necessarily a refusal OF the NOM