The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-07-19
And They Are Determined that the
Not Name a Presiding Omcer.
TAUBENECK READY TO BOLT
HE AND HIS FOLLOWERS MAY HOLD
A CONVENTION IN CHICAGO.
Why the Chairman of the Peoples
Party Is Opposed to IndorsiDg
the Democratic Ticket.

ST. LOUIS. July 1s.-Not enough of the
delegates TO the Populist national conven-
ton. which assemblies here next Wednes-
day, have arrived in the city TO give a fair
idea TO the complexion of that gather
ing. A majority of those here are middle
of-the-road" men, who are not in favor of
the Endorsement of Bryan. When Chair
man Taubeneck calls the convention to or
der he will introduce the temporary chair
man. This temporary chairman will be Sc
lected by the national committee at its
meeting Tuesday, although the man will
virtually be named by the national execu-
tive committee which held its first meet
ing to-day with only six members present.
Cyclone" Davis, of Texas. who is opposed
to fusion and is for an Independent Popu-
list ticket. is the choice of the ''middle-of-
the-road" people. There is possibility
that he may be relegated to the rear. The
"mddle-of-the-road' men are in majority
now. but when the three absent members
of the committee meet here there is a
strong probability that United States Sem
ator W. V. Allen. of Nebraska. may be put
forward for both temporary and permanent
chairman. Senator Allen is said to be out
spoken for the Endorsement of Bryan and
Sewall and the union of all the free-silver
forces.
If the anti-Bryan men and the members
of the national machine try TO run in a
temporary chairman the scene in the Chi
cago convention when David r. Hill was
turned down and Senator Daniel of Vir-
ginia, put in may be duplicated. The
Bryan wing of the party claims over 600
delegates out of the total number of 1850
and this large majority would not submit
TO the dictation of minority faction.
At to-days meeting of the executive COM
nlittee it is claimed that the subject of
temporary officers was discussed. 1t was
taken up. but only in an informal way.
Chairman Taubenecl soon discovered that
not all the members were with him, and
that il was barely possible the "middle-of-
the-road" men would have majority in
the full body of men. This altered mis- plans
and the matter was postponed. 1t is said
that the ''miidle-of-the-road'' men now
threaten to bolt if Bryan is indorsed. They
come mostly from south of Mason and
Dixon's line To-nights arrivals are not
numerous. and it is not expected that any
great number of Populists will be here be-
fore Monday or Tuesday.
TAUBENECK'S RETURN.
Chairman Taubeneck returned from
Chicago early this morning and his
coming the signal for renewed
tivity on the part CT the Populists who
hope to prevent Endorsement of Bryan
and the Chicago platform. His visit to Chi
| cago. which was partly due TO his fear that
| the Illinois delegation would leave him in
| the lurch was apparently not productive
of results. This morning he was in secret
conference with the anti Bryan leaders,
and the national headquarters were prac-
tically deserted. Mr.. Taubeneck, it is said,
found several stumbling blocks in his path
in Chicago. For one thing. DR.. Taylor, one
| of the most prominent members of the
Peoples party In Illinois. is not following
| passively his lead. There are so many other
| Populists in Illinois who are believed to
hold the same opinion that Mr. Taubeneck
| is disturbed. To have his own delegation go
against him would be very distasteful.
Secretary Turner, of the Populist COM
mittee who arrived this morning is out
| spoken in his desire that his convention
shall indorse Bryan and Sewall. 1T is
| the practical and patriotic thing for us to
| do said he. IF we fail to do it. We will
| jeopardise the vital issue of this cam
| paign-free silver, an original tenet of the
| Populist faith. 1 believe free silver is go
| ing to win anyhow. and if we fail to in
dorse the only man who stands any chance
| of winning for the cause of silver we
| will be shorn of any Of the glory as indi-
viduals and be classed as its enemy"
with that view, do you think your
vention will name straight ticket?''
Yes. but IL will be a minority ticket The
majority OF Populists are not going to fritz
| ter away a principle SO dear TO them as
has been the restoration of silver to it's
constitutional functions a money medi-
um. Outside of administration circles the
| Democratic party is decidedly for Bryan
| and the administration will find itself WE'LL
| nigh deserted by the time the campaign
waxes warm. With the rank and file of
office holders il is off with the old and
on with the new. Those fellows in the de-
partments want TO hold on TO their Jobs
| for four years more. The Republicans are
scared. Their only hope is for third
ticket and they are going to leave nothing
| undone to bring about the nomination of
one here.
Governor William ]. Stone. of Missouri
and editor Jones. of the Post-Dispatch. held
a conference with the leading Populists
now in this city this afternoon. II was Civ
en- out that il was for the purpose of ar
ranging for the Bryan ratification meeting
which is to be held next week. The presence
of the Popusts however. could not be ex-
planned in this connection. and the general
understanding is that the conference was
with reference to the Endorsement of Bryan.
One outcome at least was a telegram to
Senator Jones. chairman or tho Democratic
national committee. Tho. :. said Tonight
will be here Monday.
|