The San Francisco call., 1896-08-07
Three Congressman and Four
Electors the Basis of
the Deal.
DEMOCRATS WANT MR.. sEwALL.
Populists Demand Watson-Some of
the Committees Interests Guarded
by Republicans.

The leading members of the Socialistic
Labor party, whose headquarters are at
lis Turk street, are laughing over what
they term the inconsistent and ridiculous
plight of the Populists.
Here they are,n said a socialist to a
CALL reporter this morning, "chasing the
Democratic leaders with committee all
over the State and saying, Give US three
Congressman and four out of the nine
Presidential electors and we'll vote for
your ticket and your platform. We know
we have called you rotten and corrupt
ana that you are undeserving the conf
dence OF thu people, bat then there were
no Offices in sight for us. Now there's a
chance for us to get three Congressman
and Vice-President and we take it all
back; indeed, we do. If you'll only divide
the plunder of Office with US We'll keep
our mouths shut and we'll work together
for more Offices That is substantially
what they are saying. The Peoples party
have abandoned all of their principles,
many of which are ours, just for little
Office, and the fusionists or unionists, or
whatever they are pleased to call them
selves, have forfeited the respect and con-
fidence of the masses. They have shown
that they are more for Office than for prin-
ciple. Look at the difference between
them and US. The Socialistic Labor party
has fixed principles which are not wiped
out or changed at every National Conven-
ton. We fuse with nObody-with no
party, no matter how good they may be,
for with US our principles are above the
greed for Office. We expect to poll 5000
votes in San Francisco this fall and will
keep pegging away on this line until we
become strong enough to take possession
of the Government"
The speakers voice quavered when he
mentioned the 5000 votes, but it may have
been only a cold.
The mass of the Populists who are SIM
ply good citizens and not politicians are
becoming more and more disgusted with
the action of their leaders, both State and
National. Every one of the leaders of the
National convention from General Weaver
down spoke or worked for the nomination
of capitalist Sewall as well as for Bryan.
Cyclone Davis was the only one shrewd
enough to see the approaching thunder
storm, and he got in out OF the wet by
making a speech suggesting that the Popu-
lists wanted Watson for Vice President.
Not even Democratic Senator Jones of
Arkansas, not even Funding-bill Stewart
of Nevada, not even Anarchist Altgeld of
Illinois worked harder for the nomination
of Bryan and Sewall than did those very
same leaders OF the Peoples party.
1t may De safely said that the Democrats
will reject all oYertures OF fusion unless
they are confident that they will gain
more by fusion than without it. If they
think that they can elect all their Con-
gressmen without the Peoples party vote
OF this State theytwill not make any ar
rangements with the Popuiists. If, how
ever, they think they will need the votes of
that party they will fuse to the advantage
OF the Democracy.
Thus far the Populists insist that in case
of fusion on Presidential electors the
Democratic electors must vote for BRYAN
and Watson and turn Sewall's picture to
the wall of the First National Bank. They
say that if the Democratic electors should
vote for Sewall, the Populist electors would
throw Bryan down and vote for Norton.
1t is not believed that the Democracy
can accept such proposition. 1t would
be treason to the party-a bolt from the
organization should they fail to support
Mr. Sewall. He is their nominee, and is
as good a man as Mr.. Bryan. 1t is true
that Sewall is President of a National
bank in Maine, but it is equally true that
Mr.. Bryan has been and is the hired attor-
ney of the Silver Mine Owners Protective
Association.
The Peoples party executive committee
finished their deliberations last Wednes-
day night, and the country mem bers left
for their homes yesterday afternoon.
j. E. Camp, who raises hops and fruit
on the fertile American River bottom in
Sacramento County, will devote his en-
ergy toward the propaganda of free silver
as a remedy against his French com petitor
in prunes and other dried fruits, while
the matter of protecting the product OF
the fruit-raisers in California will be left
in the hands of the Republican party.
The protection of the industries OF the
American people could not be left in bet
ter bands.
John S. Dore, grower of raisins and
fruit ID Fresno, will allow the Republican
party 20 look after his interests while he
breaches against that party in silvery tones.
G. H. Castle of Merced will do similarly.
So will II. A. Mason.
The Peoples party of the State will con-
tinue to be represented here by T. v. Gator,
Joseph Asbury Johnson, E. NJ. Wardall
and A. 3. Kline. Mr.. Gator has had sew
eral conferences with representatives of
the California Dem ocracy on the subject
of fusion. Mr.. Gator uses the word
s'union," but the difference is only in the
words. The Democrats have intimated
that a con- bination might be made on
Presidential electors, the Democrats TO
vote for Bryan and Sewall and the Pop
ulists to vote for Bryan and Watson, but
It is not likely that fusion can be effected
on that basis without the commission OF
an act Of base treachery on one side or
the other. Nothing will be done in the
matter until j. ]. Dwyer returns from
New York, whittier he has gone to attend
a meeting of the Democratic National Com
mittee. Five of the Populist electors are
ready to resign if the com bination can be
=, - ,-,;tb tho anca-hated DemOcracY.