The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-07-29
) THE FUSION PLAN.
4 Nebraska POpulist Explains the
Deal on Presid entinl Electors.

LINCOLN, Neb.. July 2S.--A notable fea-
ture of the day was visit from number
of federal officials who had come long
distance to visit Mr.. Bryan as the Demo-
cratic presidential candidate. Among the
visitors was Frank NJ. Porch, of Bridge
ton, n. j., United States revenue agent.
who is making a tour of the West inspect
ing the offices of collectors. There were
no important announcements given out
from the Bryan home to-day. When ap-
preached on the subject, Mr.. Bryan face
tiously remarked:
"Yes | have one very important bit of
information. 1 have just sent pictures of
Mrs. Bryan and myself to Mr.. and Mrs.
Sewall'
How about Mr.. and Mrs Watson? Did
you send them any pictures also?"
We'll" remarked Mr.. Bryan. Il had not
thought of that"
Chairman 7. T. Lane, of the national
committee of the Silver party. arrived in
Lincoln this evening. and with the dele
gates. George Nixon and Samuel Davis.
dined with Mr.. Bryan tonight. The polit-
ical situation was not referred to, the visit
being of a social nature. Chairman Lane
said that while no arrangements had as
yet been made for national headquarters.
they would probably be located in Wash
ington.
j. W. Blake, formerly chairman of the
Populist State central committee i'm this
State and an active factor in Nebraska
Populism, thinks he can see a way out of
the present entangling alliance of the
Democrats and Populists in the arrange
ment of the electoral ticket so that but
one set of candidates will be necessary.
His plan is the same as that suggested by
Senator Jones. chairman of the Demo-
cratic national committee. He says that
the selection of the candidates for the Elec-
toral College must be left to the good sense
of the Populists and Democrats of the re-
spective States.
THE Populists have nominated Mr.. Wat
son." he said. merely to preserve the
identity of the party. Populists will not
care in most of the States. if all of the
electors put on the joint ticket are Sewall
men. This is especially true in the North
ern States and in the Southern States IL
will make little difference as far as Bryan
is concerned. Even If the vote on Bryan
and Sewall is divided in the Electoral Col
lege there is not any doubt that the Sewall
votes will be largely iE the majority. The
tickets will be put up in the respective
Democratic vice presidential candidate has
more supporters in the Electoral College
than the Populist candidate the votes for
the latter shall be cast for the former and
vice versa.
Mr. Blake says that there will be no per-
plexities arising from the nomination OF
iege OF the respective States will probably
never have to either accept or reject the
Populist nomination, as IL Is the plan OF
the Populists 10 elect Mr.. Sewall. He says
that the relative strength Of the Demo-
Gratis and Populists in the Electoral Col
lege OF the respective State; VIII probably
be regulated by the relative Voting strength
,f.-1. xrft lQr
jority of the vote 10 Sewal.
In relation TO the report telegraphed
East from Jefferson City. Mo- last night
as TO the likelihood of Chairman Jones. of
the Democratic national committee. with
drawing Mr.. Bryan's name from the Popu-
list ticket. the nominee would not talk to-
night. He was asked If he had consented
10 withdrawal of his name, but said he
would not be interviewed on the subject
at all.
Governor Holcomb was on duty to-day.
looking in good spirits and feeling some
what better physically since his trip TO
the Populist convention at st. Louis. He
said he believed Mr.. Bryan would accept
the Populist nomination. The inuddle over
the Vice President he said, would be set
tied by fusion in different States. Sewail
and Watson TO take their chances in the
Electoral College. In Nebraska. the Gov
ernor said. there would certainly be fusion.
and that the fusionists would carry the
State. lie figured that under normal con-
ditions there would be 10000 votes polled
follows: Republicans. S5.000: Populists 10
900; all kinds OF Democrats. 81. coo: Prohi-
bitIonists. 5000. OF this the Governor be-
lieves Bryan will receive all but 5000 or
votes and majority of the Prohibitionlsts.
He also figures that from 10 TO 12ie per
cent. Of Republicans will bolt Mckinley
In recapitulation he believes that Bryan