The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-07-22
THE WEARERS
OF WHISPERS
Are Gathering in st. Louis, and
There Is Blood on the
Noon.
popULIsT SPLIT is PROBABLE
Senator Jones korking hard for Candidate
Bryan. but iddle-Oi-the- -hoad Men
Don't kant Him Butler
for Chairman.

ST. Louis, july 2i.-The Popullst and
silver conventions convene tomorrow,
the former in the hall in which the Re-
publican national convention was held,
and the latter in Music Hall. where
Grover Cleveland was re-nominated in
1855. The interest in the silver con-
yention has been eclipsed BY the bitter
struggle among the Populists over the
question Of nominating or endorsing
Bryan. The program OF the conven-
ton is cut and dried. There is no d.
vision OF sentiment. Congressman
Francis Newiands. Of Nevada, will be
temporary chairman. and William P.
ST. John. the New York banker. per-
manent chairman. They will deliver
their speeches. and a platform Of a
single plank in favor Of the free COIN
age OF silver at 1s TO will be adopted;
Bryan and sewall will be endorsed and
the convention will adjourn.
The Populists. on the other hand.
are rent and torn by internal dissen-
slons and the contending factions viii
plunge Immediately into a fierce and
determined fight which may be pro-
longed for four or FIVE days and which
frcm present indications will probably
result in a bolt. no matter what fac
ton prevails The heterogeneous
complexion OF the convention. CON-
prlsing as ii does many whose opin-
lens on the question seem diametrical-
ly opposed, and who hold and advo-
cate these opinions with a bulldog
tenacity that neither argument nor
persuasion seem able TO shake. The
conflicting interests and conditions
that hedge the situation about would
stagger the oldest political prophet,
were he to attempt to forecast the re-
suit with anything like detail The
Bryan men still appear to be in con-
troll and the leaders are very conf
/ dent that they are in the majority.
Practically all the trained and expe-
rienced generals are aligned with
them They have the advice and coun-
sci OF Senator Jones and the other
shrewd Democratic managers who are
vigilantly watching every point in the
issue. and also able allies in the Re
publican silver boilers and delegates
to the silver convention. They have
a very thorough organization for sys-
tematic and effective work. Today
they were reinforced by the arrival
Of 500 Bryan shouters from Nebraska
headed by Governor Holcomb. $50 Pop.
ulist workers from Kansas. and many
other parts of the West. They are
pressing upon the middle-of-the-road
delegates the view that the situation
presents the single issue. Mckinley oil
Bryan: that the Western Populists
insist upon grasping the opportunity
TO vote on the silver issue wher'
their votes will count. and that fail
ure to nominate Bryan will split the
party wide open and cause dissensions
that will never heal.
While strong Of conviction and vo-
ciferous in their declarations that they
will never surrender, the middle-of-the'
road delegates are practically dis
organized crowd. They keep a great
deal Of enthusiasm at their meetings
and today claim as high as 400 ma
jority in the convention, The hoteI
corridors ring with their oratory and
the applause Of their followers, but
their claims of victory cannot be fig
ured out on paper.