Semi-weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings Co., S.D.) 1894-1898, 1896-07-22
Indications Point to Much Bit
ter Wrangling at the Popu-
list Convention.
No Matter What the Result a
Bolt Is Practically Ger
tain to Occur.
Delegates Divided Into Three
Classes and Each Is Pre-
pared to Fight.

ST. LOUIS, July 20.-A very bitter
war has developed among the Populist
leaders. They seem to be aligning
themselves for q three cornered fight :
First, those who favor straight en-
dorsement or nomination of Bryan and
Sewall which will bring to the Chicago
ticket the support of the Populists /;
second, those who desire fusion elec-
toral ticket which will maintain the
Populist party organization and place
the leaders in a position to demand rec
ognition in the event the ticket is sue
cessful, and third, what are known as
the middle of the road Populists, who
favor an independent platform and
ticket and who oppose fusion in any
form. The latter, if present indica-
tions count for anything,
Will Eventually BE OverruIed.
The middle of the road men, how
ever, will prove strong and valuable
allies 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 a 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 for the pres
ent all pride of party for the sake Of
the silver cause to which they are
pledged.
Chairman Taubeneck, chairman of
this middle wing, gave out statement
outlining the plan of fusion electors as
the only condition on which he is will
ing to join hands with the free silver
Democracy. But, even with fusion
electors, he wants a
Set of Populist Nominees,
| the purpose being, if his plan is carried
out, to elect Bryan president, and q
| Populist vice president. Taubeneck' S
interview met with storm of protests
| from the faction which advocates a
straight endorsement of Bryan and
Sewall as the only chance of solidifying
the silver forces and gaining victory.
Among the Populists from the South
there is much opposition to the plan of
endorsing Bryan and Sewall without
conditions. Senator Butler of North
Carolina, who heartily favors harmon
izing all the silver elements as the only
way to win, points out the strong en-
nifty between the Populists and the
Democrats in the South, and expresses
the opinion that unless the Populist or.
ganization is recognized in the fight,
through fusion electors, it will be inn
possible to secure the support of the
rank and file of the Populists of the
South for the Chicago ticket.
Will Be Lively Affair.
| All the indications are that the con-
vention will be very lively affair, with
the certainty of much bitter wrangling
the probability of some sensational Incl
dents and of bolt of larger or smaller
dimensions, no matter what the ulti.
mate decision of the convention is. The
leaders of the American Silver party
who are here appear to be all of one
mind-that Bryan and Sewall should be
endorsed. They oppose anything which
will tend to cloud the issue of victory
for silver" or divide the silver strength
They expect by their action to exercise
strong influence over the other con
vention, especially as there seems to be
disposition to arrange joint compro
| ruisas Of the silver and POnulist 1aaderS