Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-07-23
LEADERS AT War.
populists Differ About Indorsing
or Nominating Bryan.
The NATIONAL REFORM PRESS MEETS
The Prevailing Sentiment In Favor Of Pre-
serving the Popullst OrganizatIon-The
Conteats-Ths Temporary Chairman
-"CycIone" LAWS Platform.


uation does not crystalline rapidly
The leaders are at war over the ques'
ton Of indorsing or nominating Bryan
Others want to keep in the middle Of
the road and nominate an independent
ticket on an independent platform
Each faction asserts that II desires II
preserve the autonomy OF the party
organization and that Its way is The
way. A bolt seems inevitable, no mat
ter what the ultimate outcome is The
Bryan supporters claim to be in the
majority. They are we'll organized
Many Of the delegates from this sec
ton, like Lewelling, Of Kansas, and
Patterson, Of Colorado, declare that II
Bryan Is not nominated or Endorsed
here, nine.tenths OF the populists will
support him, and the identity Of the
populist party in the west will be de-
stroyed.
The middle-of.the-road populists are
mostly from the south, where, for sew
eral years, they say, 1t has been war
TO the knife and knife TO the hilt In
their battle with the democracy, and
they have nailed their banner to the
mast. They are very radical. Their
headquarters at the Laclede are con-
stantly file with people. The walls
ere placarded with notices and edito-
rails from populist papers, demanding
the Reputation Of the Chicago ticket
An irredeemable currency and direct
legislation are proclaimed to be the
foundations Of their faith. The initia-
tive and referendum scheme, which Is
to originate all legislation with the
people and refer 1t back to them for in
dorsement, Is the keystone Of their
arch. I'VE want to do away with the
supreme court that sits above the peo-
ple," shouted one Of their orators yes
terday afternoon. Then we will re.
monetize silver, have government
ownership Of railroads and telegraph,
enact immigration and income tax
laws and crush the monopolies and
trusts that have us by the throat"
The prospect for a compromise, which
some Of the populsts affected for
awhile to consider probable, has dlsap.
peared. 1t met its fate in the Bryan
camp where 1t was smothered ap-
parently beyond resuscitation The
compromise proposition looks to the
retention OF Mr. Bryan at the head Of
the ticket and substituting populist
for Mr. Scwall for vice president A
division Of the electoral vote In several
states with the democrats Is recon.
mended. II the number OF peoples
party electoral votes Is found to be less
than that OF the democrats, the for
mers electors are to vote for Bryan
aud Sewall, but II the peoples party
has larger number Of electors than
the democrats, the latter electors, In
o spirit Of fairness" are requested to
cast their votes for the nominee Of the
peoples party for president and vice
president.
THE NATIONAL REFORM PRESS MEETS
ST. LOUIS, July 2l.-The representa-.
tives Of the National Reform Press
association held lively meeting at
the St. James yesterday afternoon, at
which The situation and the advisable
ity OF indorsing the Chicago ticket
were discussed. There were about $50
present and ut times, when the cause
OF populism was ealogized, the greatest
enthusiasm prevailed. Speeches were
made by dozen of those present.
The prevailing sentiment was in favor
Of preserving the populist organiza-
ton at all hazards, and while some
spoke for fusion the majority seemed
to side with the middle-of-the-road
faction. Paul Vandervoort, OF Kansas,
the president Of the association. fav.
Ored q middle-ot-the ROAD policy, but
Ignatius Donnelly, Of Minnesota, and
s. II. Norton, Of Chicago, expressed a
willingness, after the nomination OF a
ticket and the adoption Of q platform
to unite by fusion on electors
AMERICAN SILVER ORGANIZATION.
ST. LOUIS, July sl.-The national
committee OF the American silver or.
panizatlon held meeting at their
headquarters last night, which devel-
oped, MS expected, into Bryan ratiii'
cation. Among the prominent arrivals
last night were Senator Jones and Rep
resentative Newlands, OF Nevada, and
Judge Scott, of Kansas. All attended
the meeting and were called upon to
make addresses. 1t was agreed by all
present that silver could win, II the
silver men united on the Chicago ticket,
but split would be dangerous.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN.
ST. LOUIS, July 2L-The name OF
Senator Butler, OF North Carolina, was
sprung last night in the executive com
mittee for the first time for temporary
chairman and was received with much
favor 1t is believed that his selection
would be especially acceptable to the
southern delegates Other names
mentioned are those of Gen. j. b.
Weaver and Cyclone" Davis, OF Texas.
The selection will be made by the ma
tional committee.
THE CONTESTS
ST. LOUIS, July sl.-The nationa
committee Of the populist party vii
meet to-day for the purpose OF consider
ing the contests for seats In the con
yention. Official notice has so ia
been received from two states, Colo
RADIO and Illinois 1t is expected tina
a contest will bc filed from the Cleve
land, O., district, but no information
has ne vet been received.