The herald., 1896-07-21

1t and some Populistpreferably from the
south, to be his running mate. All these
plans are more or less impracticable, as
they would create complications which
would be hard to straighten out.
Chairman Jones has Indignantly re-
1ected the proposition tn throw Sewall
overheard, and the Bryan supporters
In the Populist party take a very posi-
tive position in opposition to it, but it Is
thought division of electors n some of
the states. Ike North Carolina, Nebras-
ka, Minnesota and Texas, could be ar
ranged by the state committees, which
alone would have the power to enter nto
any agreement.
Chairman Jones has conferred with
such of the Populist leaders as have
called on him and has pointed out very
clearly that the battle is between Nc
kinley and the gold standard and Bryan
and the silver standard. He says the
Democrats do not want to absorb the
Populist organization, but 1t rests with
the latter to indorse Bryan in the inter-
est Of the silver cause in which all are
enlisted, and thus make victory certain,
or endanger success by declining to do
w. hS ACoPOboiOlulys Hc says, rests
with them, and he does not hesitate to
say he believes the rank and file of the
Populists will desert their leaders If
they refuse to accept the opportunity.
He takes them to the top of the noun
tain and shows them the promised land
of silver. He and his friends deny that
any pledges are being made, but Sena-
tor Allen of Nebraska. whose position
gives him great weight in Populist cnun-
ellis, is proclaiming to his friends that if
Mr. Bryan IS elected all will rally to his
support. whether Democrats, Populists
or Republicans, and will be on an equal
footing
1t is tntimated that a selfish interest
perhaps actuatcs some of the middle of
the road" leaders from the south. They
have been fusing there for local offices
and for members of congress, and if
Bryan should be endorsed they would
necessarily cut off.their present allies.
The middle of the road" people suggest
Vandervoort of Nebraska and Burkett
OF Mississippi as good ticket. The
Bryan people are closely organized for
effective work. Gen. Weaver is at the
head of their steering committee, and
they are laboring with all the incoming
delegates. The main thing they have
to contend with is the all-pervading
dread among the rank and file that they
will be swallowed up by the Democracy.
They declare that they were first in the
field with the demand for the restoration
of silver.
1.-The Democrats stole our thunder"
says Ignatius Donnelly, "and now they
want to bury u.s."
The convention is a peculiar political
gathering. There is total absence of
brass bands and scarcity of flags and
bunting. but lack of music and trappings |
does not dampen the ardor of the dele |
gates. There is noise enough to satisfy |
any frequenter of conventions. They |
crowd the hotel corridors. All of them |
are debaters, with strong convictions, |
and they take into their confidence all !
within the sound of their voice. The fact !
that few of the delegates are young is a
noticeable feature. Most of the whis- |
kers are dotted with gray, many of the |
delegates are far into the sere and yell |
low, but they are full of fire and enthus-
iasm. 1t is not believed that over half |
Of the delegates are yet on the ground.
In case Bryan is nominated or endorsed,
Chairman Jones has agreed that the
Populists shall have two representatives
on the national committee and the sill
verites one representative. The two
southern men suggested for vice-presi-
dent. in the event of a compromise
which would give the latter place on the
ticket to the Populists. are Judge Wal
.er Clark of North Carolina and Col.
Mimms Of Tennessee. At midnight,
however, the difficulties in the way of
such compromise were
recognized as almost insur-
and the scheme was in large
measure abandoned. The indications
hat the compromise and Bryan factions
ire getting closer together continued,
Ind the general belief among the best
informed was that the situation would
clear tomorrow and that the nomination
f Bryan was reasonably certain.