Evening journal., 1896-07-23


NATIONAL CHAIRMAN TAUBENEcK.
might, by remaining in session, be able
TO exercise an influence in shaping things
in the FOpulist convention. 10 this end
they appointed a committee of seven, head
ed by Judge Scott OF California, to meet
with a similar committee from the Popu-
lists for the purpose of reaching COM
mon plan of action. The idea was per-
haps well conceived, although it is doubt
ful whether their course will be fruitful of
results. The anti Bryan Populists affect
20 believe that all the outside influences
which arc being brought TO boar upon
them TO induce them 60 accept the nomi-
nees of the Democratic convention are
part of the same plot to drive their party
into tho Democratic trap ana destroy
and annihilate its identity They are deaf
TO suggestions, appeals and warnings.
Tho future has no terrors for them. The
"Populists should keep in the middle Of
the road" is their reply to every argu-
ment, their answer to every foreboding.
They have convinced themselves that Il
they go marching on In four years more
the two old parties will be shattered, dis
rupted and discredited, and they will
come into their own.
Favorable to Bryan.
The situation now points more strongly
to Bryan's Endorsement or nomination.
In fact, the Bryan managers declare that
they are absolutely certain that, so far as
the head Of the ticket IS concerned thoy
are cut Of tho woods. But with regard TO
Sewall, they admit privatelcy that thero
is grave doubt and that thore is now prob
ably majority Of the convention against
tho Bath shipbuilder They are using all
their energies to prevent the complications
that would follow an indorsement of
Bryan and nomination OF a populist for
vice president. The middle OF the road
men cannot even get together on a candi-
date for president Debs is their favorite,
but the BTyan managers say they have
word that he Will decline the further use
OF his mamie If a Populist is not named
for vice president, thore Is sure TO be
bolt OF some of the southern delegations.
But the Bryan managers, il is said, would
welcome such a bolt. IL it come with VIC
tory for the whole Chicago ticket. Thoy
claim that they will undorbtedly control
the committee on pormanont organization
and resolutions. 1t is their purpose, II
they control, to frame platform, along
the lines OF the Chicago platform with as
few concessions to the radicals as possible.
For permanent chairman there is a good
deal Of talk OF both Senator Allen and
General Weaver, but the fogmer desires TO
remaln on tho floor. and General Weaver
has been selected TO nominate the silver
knight Of the west. 1t seems probable
therefore, that another will be selected
perhaps OK Governor Lowollyn or ex- Con-
gresham Davis Of Kansas. The middle
Of the road contingent desire lgnatius
Donnelly.
Middle of the Road Conference.
The miadle Of the rcnd men, through
their steering committee, have taken &C
tion which viii probably have a very i'm
portant effect on t&o convention They
have selected Ignatius Donnolly for their
candidate as permanent chairman and
sent a committee to notify him Of his Sc
lection. Mr.. Donnelly accepted, and it was
even out. Later tho steering committee
held another meeting and selected T. h.
Campion Of Maine as their candidate for
permanent chairman. The committee real-
izes thai ID is ina very awkward position,
having notified Donnelly and secured his
acceptance, but the reasons given for sub
stituting Campion are that the Minnesota
delegation and the delegations which the
steering committee represented made a
great protest against Donneiiy's selection,
many declaring they would not vote for
him. ltwas also stated by memhcrs Of tho
committee that Donnelly was a possible
candidate for president and ought not to
be presented fer permanent chairman. 1t
was also stated that his election was very
obnoxious to the anti Catholic element, as
it was believed he was a Catholic Many
Of the leaders OF the middle Of the road,
and especially Mr. Branch Of Georgia,
think great mistake has been madc, and
that the action of the committee will lose
the middle of tho road men many votes in
the convention. Mr. Branch is not a mem
ber OF the steering committee, but he has
been prominent among the anti Bryan
forces.