The Indianapolis journal., 1896-07-26
BRYAS,s MESSAGE.
Chairman Allen Refused tn Permit Ii
to BE Read.

ST. LOrIS, July 25.-The Populist con-
vention just before the adjournment to-
day narrowly missed becoming the scene
OF what would in all probability have been
the greatest sensation of its proceedings.
Governor Stone. OF Missouri. and delegate
Patterson. Of Colorado. were present as
the. representatives OF Senator Jones'
chairman of the Democratic national COM
mittee, with long telegram from Mr.
Bryan defining his position with reference
10 the Populist nomination in view OF the
refusal OF the convention to indorse MIR.
Sewall- Governor Stone was extremely
anxious to read this message. but the priv
ilege was denied him by Chairman Allen,
and the convention was saved from what
would have been a very exciting and in
teresting scene. The roll call of States on
the presidential nomination was in prog
ress and had progressed so far as 10 make
It quite certain IL nothing occurred to
change any OF the votes already cast Mr.
Bryan would be the{fnominee of the con-
vention. There had been anxious inquiries
during the entire day for messages from
Mr.. Bryan by many of the middle-of-the-
road men, and the Texas delegation went
so far as to wire him for a definition of
his position. II is considered probable by
many who were present that IL the dis
patch had been read. il might have
changed the course Of the nomination.
Senator Allen took the position that it
would at least create great confusion and
much excitement. and that in view of all
the circumstances IL would not be wise to
have the message read. He also e&erted
his utmost endeavors TO suppress any ref
erence to IL in the proceedings ana sue
ceeded in doing so until the roll cal! had
aA
The only mention made OF the matter
was by Mr.. Ashley. of Texas, who, rising
to question of personal privilegS asked
bic from Mr.. Bryan del efning Mr.. Bryan
attitude.
There is none" replied Mr.. Allen.
lids there been none?" asked Mr. Ash
The Senator replied that there had not
been. Senator Allen had. however. re-
ceived a message from Governor Stone.
which was carried TO him by Mr.. Patter-
son. asking that the Governor be gwen an
opportunity 10 read the Bryan message.
This request Mr.. Allen refused twice 10
grant to Mr.. Patterson He also afterwards
refused 1t to Governor Stone The Gever-
nor went upon the platform and was In
formed in most direct terms that he would
not be recognized
This refusal apparently had the erect OF
displeasing both Mr.. Stone and MIR. Patter-
son. The latter expressed the opinion that
the convention was entitled TO have MI
Bryaes attitude explained fu,iyi as the a.
and he was greatly disappointed that this
course was not pursued. The two gentle
men fingered in the rear OF the hall until
the nomination of Mr.. Bryan was an
nounced and they went directly to con-
ference with Senator Jones.
All the parties to the, transaction re
fused 10 give the contents OF the Bryan
message or TO go into any details or its
purporf Ii is known. however. that ii
Contained a number of replies from Mr
Bryan TO inquiries made OF him over the
wires by Senator Jones. and that IL was a
mere elaboration of his short message OF
Friday night directing the withdrawal of
his name because of the refusal or the
Populist convention to confer nomina-
ton upon Mr.. Sewall it was about TO
do upon himself. One of the parties TO the
conference said the dispatch was in no
sense a declination or a refusal or the
nomination and that no intimation was
contained that ar. Bryan would not ao-
cept-
Senator Allen stated after the adjourn
ment of the convention that, as the dis
patch was not addressed TO him, he had
not even felt IL incumbent to read IT him
self or read IL to the convention. Further
more he intimated that he was not pleased
with the apparent wish of the Democrats
to conduct the affairs of the PoPulist con-
vention.
General Weaver said there was nothing
In the message which had In any way
changed Mr.. Bryan's relation TO the Pop
ror7ff m