The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-07-23

st. Louis, July 22.-The populist and
Silver conventions were launched to-
day, but neither made much headway.
The programme of the silver conven-
tion was all arranged in advance. 1t
included simply the adoption Of a 16
to 1 platform and the nomination of
Bryan and Sewall. but those In charge
of 1t deemed 1t good policy to go slow
ly In the belief that they might, by re-
naming in session, be able to exercise
an influence in shaping things In the
populist convention. To this end they
appointed a committee of seven. head
ed by Judge Scott of California, to
meet a similar committee Of the popu-
lists for the purpose Of reaching COM
mon plan of action. 1t Is doubtful
whether their course will be fruitful Of
results. The anti Bryan populists af-
feet to believe that all the outside in
fiuences which are being brought to
bear on them to accept the nominees
Of the democratic convention are part
Of the same plot to drive their party
into the democratic trap and destroy
and annihilate its identity. They are
deaf to suggestions, appeals and warn
ings. Keep in the middle Of the road"
is their reply to every argument. They
have convinced themselves that II they
go marching on in four years more the
two old parties will be shattered. dis
rupted and discredited and they will
come Into their own"
The first session of the populist con-
vention to-day was a disappointment
to those who anticipated relentless
bitter war from the drop Of the gavel.
The galleries. which hold $4,000 people.
were practically an empty waste. Not
more than 600 spectators were in the
balconies. The floor where the dele
gates were gathered was crowded with
as unique an assemblage as was ever
massed under one roof. They discarded
conventionalities. Fully half Of them
sat in their shirt sleeves. The appear
ance of several women delegates on
the floor was a novel feature in a ma
tional political gathering. The press
benches were largely given over to the
editors Of weekly reform papers.
The day session, which lasted about
an hour and half. developed nothing.
except possibly that the noisy middle
of-the-road contingent was afraid to
be put to the touch on their claims.
Senator Butler hopes to be the pivot
on which the convention will turn. He
DtlleNcS tNtHtudhy Oil thC iatttcho
can be harmonized on his plan to adopt
a populist platform and nominate upon
II Bryan. with a southern populist for
vice president His speech strongly
upheld the demand for the perpetual
tion of the populist organization which
he described as having driven the re-
publicans to gold and the democrats
to silver. To be swallowed by the dem
ocrats, he said. was a danger only
equalled by the danger Of being made
indirect allies of the republicans in the
present campaign. This gave both
factions a chance to rend the air with
their shouts, but when in conclusion
he suggested a middle course. the pur-
port of which all understood. both
sides were irresponsive. The Bryan
men on the whole. however. considered
that the victory so far as there was
one. lay with them.
Asss mbling In the Hall.
The day for the opening of the two
national conventions broke clear and
bright. in striking contrast with the
dark. gloomy, dripping skies of the
past two days. Crowds in the corri-
dors of the hotels where the headquar-
tiers are located were noisy. but there
was a striking absence of brass bands.
Before 10 O'Clock the crowds began
moving toward the convention hall.
The Bryan and middle of the road"
factions both claimed victory. The
first test Of strength was eagerly look
ed forward to. There was little public
interest in the silver convention. AL
though middle of the read" men were
incensed last night at the statement of
Senator Butler that he was in favor OF
Bryan's nomination conditiOnally. they
had not decided up to 3 o'clock this
morning whether they would fight his
selection as temporary chairman.
The hall in which the populists met