The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-07-22

one, and there have been many leaders
looking toward getting together on some
plan like that. substituted by Senator
Butler They fear that * this cannot be
done a bolt is inevitable. whatever the
action OF the convention, and this they
are exceedingly anxious TO avoid. They
express confidence that they will be able
to reach this result.
The two extreme factions each assert,
however, that they will never yield, and
the situation Is critical. The friends OF
Mr.. Bryan assert that he would never
accept a nomination by the Populist
convention which did not carry with II
like nomination for Mr.. Sewall. and
they quote Mr.. Bryan as having taken
this position in discoursing upon the
matter with delegates who have been
TO visit him. He is represented as con-
siderlng IL dishonorable and impoltic
to have himself named without like
honor being conferred on his Demo-
cratic running mate. 1t Is also stated
as coming from Mr.. Bryan that he Is
opposed to all the propositions of fusion
as tending to the weakening OF his cam
paign, and the confusion Of the voters.
The stauncher OF his followers declare
they will not depart from this position,
Whatever the TcSuit. Inty uStidIc tHdt
they would prefer to bolt.
The Southern Delegates.
A quiet meeting took place In Senator
Buffers room at the Lindell House yes
terday, which will in all probability have
a most important bearing upon the Pop
ulist convention. Indeed * tho claims
of those who were there are realized, II
will have the effect OF creating conster-
nation In the ranks of the Bryan and
Sewall's followers The meeting was
composed Of representatives OF the dele
cations from all the states south OF Ma
son and Dixon line. The question under
discussion was the adoption OF the plan
TO endorse Bryan and place upon the
ticket with him a southern Populist.
This plan, II developed. had originated
with Senator Butler. and he strenuously
urged its adoption as the only means of
uniting the silver forces and preserving
the autonomy of the party He found
little difficulty in convincing a majority
OF the representatives present OF the
practicability and advisability of the
plan, as a large majority OF them were
In hearty sympathy with him. They
represented that they had made a cam
vass of their respective ddsegations and
that there would be no detection In the
entire south when the question should
be sprung in the convention.
When the meeting adjourned the
claim was made that 5SS votes would be
received for this plan. south OF Mason
and Dixon line. This approaches very
near a majority Of the convention. The
attendants were sure that the additional
votes necessary to put the scheme
through would be secured. They had,
they declared, already received assur-
ances OF support from sufficient num-
ber of New England delegates to insure
success. The delegates present at the
meeting refused TO indicste preference
for vice president. and declared that
individuals had not been discussed.
They only agreed that Mr.. Sewalps name
should come off the ticket, and that a
southern Populist should be given the
place. On this point they declared
there would be no yielding.
DonneIIy Would Accept.
Ignatius Donnelly was asked IL he was
a candidate for the presidency. He re-
piled that he was not, but that he would
accept IL the nomination should be ten
dered, with the hope of promoting the in
terests OF the party Mr. Donnelly holds
that the interests OF the party should be
maintained intact. and that this cannot
be done by the endorsement Of Bryan
and Sewall. He said that his name had
been suggested by five of the congress
sional DISTRICTS of his state but he had
considered the movement in the nature
OF a compliment growing out of local
pride until the present time. lie thinks
that fusion os electors is possible, and
accepts Cyclone" Davis plan with
favor
There is q great battle raging here.
The Reform Press association had the
largest meeting ever held, representing
the Populists of the country. it resolved
almost unanimously against Bryan.
That will be great effect. 1 learn that
the southern vote is almost solidly
against him. OF course / only speak at
random, as was told this by delegates
The sentiment is very bitter in the south,
because they say they have been for
years fighting the Democrats. The fight
has been TO the death In many cases.
They say the western delegates have
treated them badly, deprivng them OF
their votes, and to turn them over to the
Democrats now would mean the death of
the Populist party"
Silver Mems Plans.
h ~. ottNthSf Oh lne eNcNu-
tive committee OF the National Silver
party, speaking Of what the silver party
will do. said: "Our party was organ
lied 90 unite all silver voters for the
campaign of 1896, without regard 70
past party affiliations. We started by
asking them TO lay aside temporarily
their Views upon other public questions,
and to unite in one supreme effort 10
settle the money question this year. Oui
convention will be largely composed of
men who have belonged TO the Repub-
lican party, and who have been easily
persuaded TO Join our ranks for the
reason that they do not have to sacrl-
flee their convictions upon other politi-
cal question:, but simply subordinate
them to the money question. Our con-
vention will nominate Bryan and Sewall
upon substantially the financial plank
OF the Chicago platform. which will