The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-07-26
RIVER AT 8 A. M.
A STRANGE MIXTURE.

The outcome of the long and turbu-
lent session of the Peoples party con-
vention is mixture of contradictory
elements fairly representative of that
extraordinary body itself. Through
most Of week the delegates have
wrestled with points of order and
fought and shouted and banded &C
cusations as fierce and as discredita-
BILE as those that they direct against
their political foes. When they had
wearied themselves with disorder, they
got down to business and nominated
Bryan for president and Tom Watson,
Of Georgia. for vice president, on the
platform which we have already pub
1ished and commented upon. This was
done in the face Of the fact that to
indorse a part, but not the whole, Of
the Democratic ticket would raise for
midable difficulties in the way of
choosing electors; and in defiance of a
positive assertion by Mr.. Bryan that
he would not accept nomination that
did not include Mr.. Sewall. kilograms
sent to him later elected no response.
and the convention adjourned leaving
the business that called it together in
this uncertain and unsettled state. 1t
was a work characteristic of the lack
OF practically and the emancipation
from considerations of logical and or
DERBY proceedings that belong to the
men who composed it.
The Endorsement of Bryan was a.
toregone conclusion from the outset
1t is, indeed, an improper use of Ian
guage to speak of it as an indorse-
ment For Mr.. Bryan is the original
Populist candidate, and the indorsing
was done by the Democratic conven-
ton. The mere fact that it happened
to be the first to assemble counts for
nothing. We say this because Mr..
Bryan severed his connection with
the Democratic party in 1894; because
ne declared repeatedly in public
speeches made at the South last wear
mat he would not support any candi-
cate OF any party unless he stood on
free silver platform; and because
no later than March of the current
year, in speech delivered at Mount
vernon Ill, he said, 81 am not Dem
ocrat. We are not, therefore, SLAM
oerlng Mr.. Bryan, but taking his word
Tor 1t. The platform, as we have al
ready seen, differs from that adontad
ChiC9 only INV,
rev pfanks relating to land owner
snip, operation of railroads and
telegraphs by the general gov
eminent, and a regime of fat
paper money. There should he Moth
ing to prevent the acceptance of these
by any one who has given his assem-
to the Chicago document, of which
they are only the logical complement
and fulfillment
The several factions of the PopuIist
party and the one candidate on whom
they have agreed are now placed in q
peculiar and somewhat embarrassin,
position. Democrats who follow +bs
chicago convention must vote for
Bryan and Sewall Populists who fol-
low the st. Louis Instructions must
vote for Bryan and Watson. But in
asmuch as the people do not vote for
any of these candidates direct, but only
for the electors who choose them. tba
matter of a difference in the vice nres-
tdential candidate introduces confu-
sion. There cannot be fusion on a
single electoral ticket in the several
states, without some further and diff
1erent agreement, because they would
be bound to vote for both Sewalf and
Watson. The difficulty will probably
be overcome by arranging for some
test of the relative strength of the
Democratic and Populist wings. and a
division of the electoral vote accord
ingly. 1t is not probable that the
ticket will carry enough states RI
make the matter of practical moment
But much more serious affair is tho
declaration of Mr.. Bryan in advance
that he would not accept a nomina-
ton without an Endorsement of Sewall
If he does not, it will throw the whole
fusion plan into disorder If he does.
1t will be an act of treason to his
associate as well as a violation of hi
pledged word. Altogether the sitas