The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-21
Still Holding the Upper Hand
Over The
MIDDLE OF THE ROAD
POpuIists Who Forgot to Orga-
nize Until Today.
No Prominent POpulists Who
Are Against Bryan.


NAL day broke this morning. The dull
leaden clouds drizzled and the conven-
tion city was wet and dripping
The Bryan managers were in a jubi-
liant frame of mind today. They con
fdently claim that they have passed
the rubicon and that their control of
the convention is practically assured.
There are conditions and details yet to
be worked out, but they believe they
have won the main victory-the nomi-
nation or endorsement of the Chicago
ticket. The attempt of some of the
Populists to force the Withdrawal of
Sewau and the nomination of a Popu-
list for vice president had been de-
feated by the stand taken by Bryan's
friends, and the positive answer of
Chairman Jones. of the Democratic ma
tional committee that such a thing
could not be considered and would not
be tolerated. Notwithstanding the
confidence of the Bryan managers, how
ever. they will not relax their efforts.
They have a most complete organiza-
tion and every man has instructions
for today. They will meet and canvass
every incoming delegation and keep up
the work of prosIyting among those
already here Although they now claim
the victory, they believe there will be
a bolt of the radicals, and, paradoxicaI
as it may seem. a bolt of the eXtrem-
lists is what some of the most level
headed say they desire. The Demo
cratic mana gers certainly are not
averse to a split which will carry out of
the convention the extreme men. They
claim the allegiance of some of these
men would do the ticket infinitely more
harm than good. The battle, of course.
viii come on the floor of the convention
and no one now doubts that there will
be generous display of bitterness and
bad blood. The national committee will
wrestle with the question Of organiza-
ton today. The Bryan men have put
forward General Weaver for temporary
chairmon. This is a shrewd move.
They do not believe the opposition will
care to make a fight against their late
standard bearer.
MIDDLE-OF-TH THE-ROADFRS.
The middle -Of-the-road Populists to-
Gay recognized that the organfza ton of
Bryan men was telling and made an
eHOrt to effect one themselves. Up to
this time they had maintained open
headquarters at the LacIede hotel
where the arriving delegates were re
quested to come in and register and
procure a badge, report as to what their
state delegation would do and then
saunter forth in the hotel lobbies and
join in the talk.
But no chairman. secretary sergeant
alarms or other officer had been select
ed Such campaign could make little
headway against the organized forces
OF the Bryan men, who were acting
with system. A meeting of the middle
Of-the-rOad men was called and an at
tempt made to organize. but the non
arrival of delegates led to deferring ac-
IlOn- Many OF them are claimed to be
on their way here, and will arrive dur
ing the day to join their ranks.
The anu-Bryan men on the national
committee. those who have been prom
1nent in the movement to secure an in
dOrSement of Bryan and the nomination
of Populist for vice president with
fusion on electors. have not placed
themselves at the head of the middle
Of-the-rOad men, although there have
been some conferences between them
and the anti-Bryan. or rather anti
Sewall men, are supposed to be adVis-
ing the more radical among them
TALK OF HANNA'S MONEY
The attempt of the middle-Of-the
road men TO organize resulted in very
spirited meeting. A. H. Livingston of
Missouri was elected temporary chair
man and Allie Reed of Iowa temporary
secretary A row began as soon as
the meeting was organized. A delegate
from Oklahoma named Albright pointed
out man seated in front of the chair
man and declared that he had been
around the various hotels distributing
@NeNA~ AAelAAilSd = AAlOAey IOT the purpose
OF preventing the Endorsement Of
Bryan and defeating the silver party.
1he man proved to be SiIas Ross of
BuHalO, N. Y. Ross denied in tba
most emphatic manner that he had
Deen engaged in any such business or
had ever seen the Oklahoma man be
fore Albright claimed that Ross had
represented himself as from Baltimore
and other portions of the country. but
upon close questioning he admitted
that he might be mistaken in saving
that the man looked very much like
Ross.
Laterin the meeting Hackstaf of Col
orado entered and made speech. The
chairman was the man to whom AL.
bright said Hackstan had reference il
regard to the distribution of money tr
prevent the Endorsement of BRYAN Tn
Oklahoma man rose and said Hack
stan was the man. Hackstaf fmmedi
ately denied that he had ever seen tn,
OklahOma man before, or that he wa,
engaged in anything but to select 3
straight out Populist candidate fo-
president The Oklahoma man seem
ed to be uncertain and went out afte-
a mOIlon mad been made requesting III,
Bryan men to leave the hall Before tn,
last part OF this interesting incident Oo
CURED ana shortly after the rneetin,
was called to order. a motion 1,-as 90,
RED with a whoOp that none but ,
straight out POpulist should he Tor,,i
naIeu Tor president Then Ocr1lrra6 .
row over the fact that men with T,rxr
an badges were in the room II W
claimed by the middle of the road PoD
ullStS that these BRYAN men rI1o,,I
either get out or declare +ber,9seiI-a ISL = !
for middle of the road ticket. Tber
were several Quarrels over rigb+
or recognition, and the secretary GOT
eemolance OF order by moving a ca.