Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-07-22
AT ST. LOUIS.
The PopuIists Very Busy on
the Eve of Battle.
Expected Contest on Strength Of
Bryan Not Yet Taken Place.
He Will Probably Be Endorsed. With Western
or Southern Man.

St Louis, July 21.-The Texas dele
Sat1on, clasSed as anti-Bryan, dis
cussed for over an hour, today, the
proposition to telegraph Mr.. Bryan
asking him categorically if he would
stand on the principles laid down in
lhe Omaha platform. but eventually
iecided not to do so.
The national committee of the Pop
INST party met. this morning, to per-
'cct the temporary organization Of the
convention. Chairman Taubeneck pre-
sided, and about so members We're
present. This committee is organized
upon radically different basis from
that of the old parties. Each state
and territory is entitled to three men,
oers, and out of the entire membership
IF 153 central executive committee of
nine is chosen to manage the cam
Daign.
The committee comprises two female
memberships. Anna L. Diggs of the
District of Columbia, who was present,
today, and Mrs. A. o. Haskins from
Arizona. There are no persons in Off
ial life on the committee except Sem
ltor Marion Butler of North Carolina,
VINO carries proxy.
The Middle of the Road" people
held a conference in their rooms at
the Laclede hotel, today. Only dele
gates We're admitted and the rooms
we're crowded. Speeches were made
~ advocates of separate ticket. and
he Middle of the Road" people We're
Urged to stand together and oppose
he nomination or endorsement of Mr.
Bryan. About 60 signatures of dele
Gates are said to have been obtained
n support of the Middle of the Road"
)lan.
There were but two contests of i'm
,ortance, those from Colorado and
illinois. The former involved the en-
Ire state delegation. and the latter
he q delegates from Cook county
Chicago). The Colorado contestants
we're headed by ex-Gov. Waite. he
1aving declared in favor of Bryan's
domination. his colleagues deposed
lim for another leader.
In the matter of temporary chair
nan, the candidates were Gen James
), Weaver of Iowa. who represented
The Bryan and Sewall element. and
'enator Marion Butler of North Caro-
ina. opposed to the endorsement of
he Democratic ticket.
After the matter of membership of
he committee had been determined.
he committee proceeded to consider
he applications by a number of the
tates for increased representation in
he convention. A number of addi-
ional delegates We're allowed to vari-
us states. Texas securing an increase
# five. Several territories were al
owed six delegates instead of four
Oklahoma was given the same right
# representation as states, that is.
ne delegate for its delegate in Con-
~ress. and one for each 1000 votes,
which made its total representation 9.
\ recess was taken.
Upon assembling. the committee
COX up the Cook county, Illinois, con-
est. Arguments We're made on both
ides. A motion to give the members
II both delegations half a vote each
vas agreed to. 40 to As.
The next case called was from the
9th Ohio district. The regulars were
eated
The committee then proceeded to
he selection of temporary chairman
md temporary secretary. The expect
ton that this would afford n test be-
ween the Bryan and anti Bryan
Grces in the convention was not real
zed. for the name of Gen. Weaver.
'poken of as Bryan candidate. was
'ot mentioned. Mr.. Guthrie of North
'arolina, the probable Populist candi-
late for Governor of that state pre-
ented the name of Senator Marion
'utler of North Carolina claiming
hat the honor sought was due North
'arolina because she had been first to
freak the solid South
Mr. Branch of Georgia, named Igna-
Jus Donnelly of Minnesota, and del
gate from Kansas presented the name
If Gen. Field of Virginia
Senator Buffers nomination was
econded by Cyclone" Davis of Texas,
nd F. G. Brown of Massachusetts. He
vas selected for temporary chairman
" reclamation.
For temporary secretary. the names
t w. ID. Vincent of Kansas. editor OF
'iund Money, and John w. Hayes.
ecretary OF the executive committee.
nights of Labor, We're suggested and
ccepted.
The contesting delegations from ILL
oise quarrelled in the hallway outside
ne room in which the national commit
ae was hearing their claims. this even
1g and blows We're exchanged. DR..
aylor was thrown down twice. He
sed his fists to good advantage and
lnded several blows on the faces of his
pponents. The men were pulled apart.
Ut got together second time. DR.
ayior was thrown and several men
led or top of him. There were threats
resorting to firearms when the police
rived and restored order
The national committee. by a vote of
to 26, threw out the Burns Hogan
ction and seated the delegation
FADED by DR.. Taylor. The Burns-
ogan people say they will go before
e committee on credentials and will
w" the fight to the floor Of the con.
ntion.
fhe Middle of the Road men are
aiming. tonight. that they will con-
oil the Populist convention and de-.
at the Bryan mems programme. +
-. Casty. the leading spirit Of the
iddle of the Road men, says that