Semi=weekly graphic., 1896-07-22
OUTLOOK AT ST. LOUIS
Serious Matters For the Popu-
 list Convention to Settle.
A THREE-ooRNERED FIGHT IS ON.


 The Whole Muddie Has Been Caused
 by Move to Indorke the Democratic
 Nominees.
 ST. LOUIS, July 21.-When the Popu- list convention is called to order here Wednesday it will be confronted with 8 S-cornered fight, and just how it wifi be settled to the satisfaction of all, is now an unsolved mystery.
 The 8-eornered fight is first by those who favor straight endorsement or nomination of Bryan and Sewall, which will bring the Chicago ticket the sup port of the Populists second, those who desire fusion electoral ticket which will maintain the Populist party organi- zation intact and place the leaders in a position to demand recognition in the event the ticket is successful and third, what are known as the middle 1.-the road Populists, who favor an inde- pendent platform and ticket and who oppose fusion i'll any form. The latter, if present indications count for any thing, will eventually be overruled
 The ''middle-of- the-road" men, how ever, will prove strong and valuable al lies of the leaders of the second class who seem determined to preserve their party organization at all hazards, but who profess an earnest desire to com bine all the silver strength if way can be found to give them recognition. The real fight. it is believed, will come be- tween this faction and those who are in favor of putting behind them for the present all pride of party for the sake of the cause of silver to which they are pledged
 Chairman Taubeneek, the leader of the ''middle-of-th the-road" faction, gave out his plan But even with fusion he wants set of Popufist nominees, the purpose being, if his plan is carried out, to elect Bryan president and Populist vice president Taubeneck's interview met with storm of protests from the faction which advocates q straight en- dorsement of Bryan and Sewall as ths only chance of solidifying the silver forces and gaining victory.
 There was q meeting at the Lindell hotel Sunday in the interest of Bryan. About so men were present and quite a large number of states were represented, among them being Missouri Maryland, California. Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, Oklahoma, Iowa and Washington, At this conference Gen. J, B. Weaver of Iowa, was chosen tenn porary chairman and Fred l.. Baily of Oklahoma, Mir Merritt of Nebraska and Mir. Young of Kansas, secretaries. It was decided to push the Bryan move- ment with vigor, either for nomina- tion or an indorsement.
 Senator Jones was asked ss to what the Populists could expect in the way of recognition in case Bryan should be en- dorsed by the Populist party Senator Jones replied that in the event of Mir. Bryan's election to the presidency he would know no party and would recog- nize all those who would rally to his support. Populists were not to be looked upon as stepehildren. The recognition of all silvermen would be equal. This announcement was received with ap- plause by the Bryan Populists present. Senator Jones made further observa- tions about this years campaign being a fight by all the people for the people and that no small differences should stand i'll the way of united action. He also urged them to organize as the silver forces organized in Chicago. Both of these statements were received with ap- plause. Afterward Senators Jones and Stewart had conference with Senator Butler of North Carolina and urged him to use his influence with southern delegates to support Bryan as it was from these delegations that the princi- pal opposition to Bryan came.
 It was stated in the meeting that Mir Bryan had formally declined to make any specific pledges, notwithstanding ho had been importnned to do so, Those of the delegates present who had seen him since his nomination at Chicago stated that Mir Bryan had said to them that the Populists must trust him, as he proposed to trust them, but that under no circumstances would he make any promise of appointments of any charac- ter to men of any party. This senti- ment was generally applauded as cour- ageoas ill view of the prospect of receiv- ing 5000, GOO votes. but the statement was construed to mean that Mir Bryan meant to be fair to all his supporters in all respects in case of his election.
 There were g states represented in the meeting, and while all those pres ent were not able to pledge their entire delegations all spoke hopefully of the outlook. The meeting was too limited in numbers however, to enable those present to form any intelligent idea as to whether the Bryan forces would be able to control the convention The