The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-08-01

Washington, d. c., July 31.-The
Springfield Republican said editorially.
in a recent issue: I'VE must regard the
| concentration OF the silver forces Of
America under a single leader as sub
stantially accomplished by yesterday
| action at ST. Louis We venture to pre-
| dict that every silver vote in the coun-
try will be cast for Bryan, Democratic
or Populist: the silver strength is now
consolidated, and we state simple facts
when we say that this concentration Of
| scattered political forces has never been
surpassed, regarded as a simple political
| achievement, in American history.
A sagacious political observer in the
| treasury department, who is close stu
dent of the campaign, said on reading
the editorial article from which the para
graph just quoted was taken: THAT
would be all right IL the Populists had
endorsed Bryan and Sewall, but it may
be found that there are a good many
slips between the cup and lip, before
such fusion Of ELECTORAL tickets have
been carried out as will give Mr.. Bryan
the concentrated strength Of the scat
tered silver forces"
1t is all very easy, according to this
observer, to say that fusion can be
readily arranged in all doubtful states,
by naming half Bryan and Sewall cleo
tors and half Bryan-Watson electors,
but before this can be done some not
inconsiderable difficulties must be reck-
oned with. The arrogance and over
confidence of both Bryan Democrats
and Populists are the chief obstacles
in the way Of such an arrangement. A
dispatch from st. Louis states that the
action OF the Populist convention has
insured Kentucky for Bryan, since
union of the Democrats and Populists
would certainly constitute majority In
that state. When this dispatch was
shown to prominent Kentucky Demo-
crat in Washington, he declared that
the Bryan and Sewall ticket would have
no trouble in carrying Kentucky over
all corners; and since that was the case,
he for one would strenuously oppose
giving up any electors to the Watson
combination. He thought such a course
would lose the ticket more votes from
oid-ume Democrats, who would not
relish the slaughter Of Sewall, than
could possible be gained. The Populisss
on the other hand, are fully as AFRO
CANT.
Tom Watson, in his own newspaper, |
mas been making some remarks which |
will rather embarrass attempts at a fu- |
sion, especially such a fusion as will |
control the votes Of the self-respectins
elements of even the silver Democracy.
One of his recent gems Of thought is |
this:
Dressing Billy Bryan up in Populist |
raament makes Billy an attractive figure
TO our admirfng gaZe-but so long as he
remains mixed in with the scrub sheep
or the Democratic flock, we are much
inclined to say in the language of an
ancient anecdote, we love you, Billy,
but--your company"
Nor has the nomination soothed Wat
sons troubled spirits or made him less
arrogant in his demands upon his newly
round associates. 1t is suggested that
IN case the fusion plan be successful
when the electoral college in any state
assemblies and it is found that the COM
blned Bryan-Watson and Bryan-Se-
wall strength exceeds that of McKin-
ley, the Populist electors shall turn and
say You want US to vote for Bryan;
We are here to do SO, but you must first
agree to join us in voting for Watson"
me possibility of such an outcome an
this is going to be before the minds of
the Democratic voters in all fusion
states from now until election, and no,
few may be deferred thereby from
accepting that par. of the fusion which
VIII carry strength for Watson and so
make way for such an ending.
TheSe and other considerations. which
are bound to develop as the campaign
indicate that wherever there
$ a fusion on the electoral ticket. on
ne basis OF half Populist and half Demo
cratic electors, a widespread repeti- .
ION or the experience of New Jersey in
$50 Is likely 10 take place. And under
'ur electoral system, there is no other
way by which a helpful combination
an be arranged except such a division
II the electoral candidates. Suppose,
or Illustration, that in West Virginia. .
when casts six electoral votes, the Bry- ,
lh-SewaH men should agree with the {
men that each side will {
lame three electors. and the entire sig.
I successful, should vote for Bryan for
PRESIDENT. and divide their support for
between the Democra tic
nd Populist candidates. The individ- {
LA voter who went TO the polls would {
ee before him two sets of six electors
acb, as follows: I
Bryan-Sewal. 1. Neutrality-suspicious..
. Bryan-Sewall. 2. Mckinley Hobart. G
Bryan-Sewall. 8. Mckinley Hobart
Br'yan-Watson- 4. Neutrality-suspicious..
Bryan-Watson. 3. McKinley-Hobarf a
Bryan-Watson. 6 McKinley-Hobart Q
If the voter is supporting the Demo- a
ratio ticket because OF the intensity OF I
is regularity" he is likely to be dis T
listed with the irregularity of Watson | /
nd the passing over of Sewall which s
bat support involves. He may then t
ote for the three Bryan-Sewan cleo /
ors. and leave the remaining ones s
land; just as did the Douglas Demo- {
rats IN New Jersey in 1860; they voted s
)r the three Douglas electors, but AL n
'wed the Breckenridge electors 10 be I
eaten by their Republican opponents +
is, moreover, possible that extreme S
opuhsts might act the same part in
ne reverse order. and in either case h
he combine" ticket would be weaken 7
: ny 40 much Party leaders may pro- Ii
oSe any sort Of deals they please. but e
spe-ience has abundantly proven that c
hey cannot thus dispose Of the political Il
ction of an army OF individual voters a
hose united support is necessary 10 II
le success OF the deal. r.
II such an arrangement as that de- n
icted in the foregoing Illustration can Il
perate 10 lose Bryan a. many electoral b
otes in a state as had been conceded | @
the Populists. by the terms of the ! n
aal, the regular Democrats might well Il
ISL that they had nothing 70 do with | =
OF the possibility OF such an OUT u
'me the Democrats viii not be I'M e.
indful when invited 10 enter into the r
lslon arrangements. and the proS- q
ct is good that the Two necessary q
irtieS 10 the contract will not BE- able p
make terms in a gcodly nunhar q. \.