Milford chronicle., 1896-07-31
the POpulist-DemOcratIc Middle.

The result of the distinct POpulist
convention which adjourned on Sat
urday evening in St. Louis in the
same disorder which characterized
it for four days appears to be more
and more of a muddle the closer it
is contemplated. And this is with
out reference to the disgruntled feel
ings of about one-third of the dele
gates over the nomination Of Bryan.
1t is not apparent how the POpu-
lists are going to materially help the
Populst candidate for President,
Mr. W. J. Bryan, without sacrificing
their candidate for vice-President,
Mr.. Tom Watson of Georgia. Or
how are they going to push along
their candidate for vice President
and at the same time give any prsc-
tical support to their nominee for
President? These Populists by max
ing such nomination as they did for
second place on their ticket declared
their purpose to maintain their sep.
arate party organization independent
of the other PopulIst convention re-
Gently met in Chicago. They can
do this under existing conditions
only by running separate electors in
support of their nominees. If they
do so the regular Populist vote and
the Populist. Democratic vote will be
cast for different electors. There
will be Bryan and Watson electors
and Bryan and Sewell electors. which
would not carry out the scheme in
tended by chairman Jones, Of the
Bryan National Committee, in seek
ing the nomination of Bryan at st.
Louis, which was to unite all the
Populist vote on the POpulist Dem
ocratic candidate nominated at Chi
cage.
Fusion can be accomplished only |
by the sacrifice of either Watson or
Sewall, and fusion is going to do a
great deal to destroy the identity of
the regular Populist party. If the .
Bryan Democrats cOncede the Bryan
Populists a division of electors in
the different States, those electors if
would, OF course, vote for
Bryan, but they would not vote for
Sewall. How are those alleged Dem
Ocrats who are supporting the Chi
eago nominee going to regard such
4 betrayal of the Democratic end of
their ticket for the benefit OF the
Populist end of it? Mr.. Sewall was
rejected by the Populist mob at st.
Louis because he is Democrat, while
Mr.. Bryan was nominated because
ne is and has been a Populist. On
'he other hand the regular Populists
ly voting for a fusion ticket would
De supporting some electors who ,
would not vote for their candidate
or vice-President, and they would be
elling out their candidate for sec
md place to help along their candi-
late for President. II all the Pop
list and Bryan Democratic votes
annot be got together on one set of
lectors in the States where they S
you'd promise to constitute ma- a
Drity the st. Louis fuss must go for i
othing. y
II is no surprise that Mr.. Bryan h
} compelled to announce that he Fl
oesn't know whether he will accept n
r not. We don't think he will for v
lally but we do not think he will O.
ecline. He is at home with the
rowd which composed the ST. Louis v
and he is as anxious to N
ave its support as it is willing to h,
i've it to him. 1t may be expected !.
lat efforts will be made to get either =
swall or Watson out of the way. !, ~
will not be a very easy job to get y
e latter disposed of, He has al. "
ady stated his purpose to accept s'
c nomination, and if Watson didn't "
cept there is very small prospect &C
at so much of Democrat IS Sew Al
would finally be substituted, fe'
bout the only way out, therefore,
the retirement of Sewall and Bryan so
II probably aid to do that by re- M
sing TO refuse the regular POpulist G.