Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-09-08
cidedly close in this state with the chances
favoring the Palmer ticket.

cidedly close in this state, with the chances
favoring the Palmer ticket.
Alarmed mt the Prospect.
The silver democratic leaders are I'M
doubtedly alarmed at this prospect. The
leaders outside of the state seem to realize
and appreciate the situation better than
those at home. 1t Is stated on good au-
thority that Senator James K. Jones. ma
tional democratic chairman. has suggested
to the local leaders that they offer to the
populists four or five places on the Chi
cago democratic electoral ticket The lead
ers In this state know the temper of Ala
oama democrats better than does Senator
Jones, and up to date have not only taken
10 cogniZance of such a suggestion, so 1t is
said, but have not even seriously consid-
cred it. They we'll know, so it is stated,
that to put popuiiSts on the democratic
ticket would not only drive the remaining
sound money democrats from the demo-
cratic household. but would also fail to
command the full populist vote in this
state, as the middle-of-the-road element
legged election frauds committed in the past,
and are bent on voting for Bryan and Wat
son. and will positively refuse to affiliate in
any manner with the democrats, whom
they regard here in Alabama as their NOR
tai enemies. 1t might be added, too, that
the mlddle-of-the-road populists are in con-
troi OF the populist party machinery, and
have relegated kolb and all others disnosed
10 conclliation to the rear.
The PODulist Position.
Inc populist party organization is bit
'eriy opposed to any surrender to the DEM
ocrats or to any division except on equal
terms, which, as is conceded, the demo-
Gratis would not consent to. even were they
10 consider fusion at all. Meanwhile the
populist committee. in accordance with the
power granted it at the populist state con-
Veh;ion at Montgomery last April, has
gone 10 work and put out a complete
Bryan and Watson electoral ticket, and
there is every reason to believe that It will
not only remain in the field, but that it will
command the large bulk of populist sup
pert To pull down this ticket, populist
leaders say. would be to strike a death
dow at their organization. unless the DEM
ocrats should fuse with them on equal
terms, ard up to date there has not been
the sllghteSt effort made by either side to-
ward erecting any sort of fusion. Popu-
Hst leaders are as determined as demo-
crats. The feeling between the two par
Ties In this state has never been one of
orotherly love. On the contrary, it has
oeen feeling of antagonism, and in view
OF TINS fusion on any terms. not to discuss
the question as to whether it would be
Denefclal to Bryan or not seems well
nigh an impossibiity. To sum I'D, the sit
uatlon Is not reassuring to Bryan men in
the least. For the silver democrats and
popullstS to fuse would mean 20 drive
thousands of sound money democrats who
nave not already gone, to the Palmer tick
ct and likewise to cause many middle-of-
the road popuiists either to stick by their
Old ticket or go over to Mckinley, SO that in
the long run more would probably be lost
than gained for Bryan, as the niddle-of-
the road element, or at least large pro-
portion of them, are set against any demo-
cratic animation. On top of this condition
Is the probab i.ity Of sound money democrats
and republicans uniting their strength
These conditions easily prove Alabama to
be doubtful state at this time to say the
least.