The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-09-16
Leaders of the Silver Movement
Hold a Conference.
FUSION IN ALL THE STATES
The Question of Electors Dis
cussed at Length.
SITUATION IN NORTH CAROLINA
Chairman Butler Again Declares That
the Electoral Vote of the State
Shall be Counted For
VIM. j. Bryan.

Washington, sept. 15.-Ihe leaders
of the different elements which are
supporting Mr.. Bryan, who are in
the city, including Senator Jones, of
Arkansas, German and Faulkner, Dem
ocrats, Teller and Dubois, silver Repub-
licans, and Butler, Populist, and also
MIR. johnson, the Democratic National
committeeman of Kansas, have spent
quite a busy day in conference among
themselves. They have not all been to-
gether at one time, but there has been
no time during the day when two or
three of them were not closeted. They
have discussed all phases of the cam
paign, and it may be stated in a gen
eral way that they have gone over the
entire political situation, with the
view of obtaining united action in all
States.
Senators Jones and Butler devoted
two hours to the question of fusion on
Presidential and Yice-Prestdantial cleo
tors. The failure of the Democrats
and Populists in many of the States,
especially in the South, to agree upon
some electoral ticket was discussed and
it is understood that the chairmeu
were agreed on the necessity of im-
pressing on the two parties in the dis
cordant States that they should get to-
gether as soon as possible. They went
over the differences in kentucky, Ten
nessee, Alabama, North Carolina, Kan
sas, Florida, Texas and West Virginia,
and agreed upon Line of action to be
I 4 IL T,,
lucky and West Virginia, Senator
Jones agreed that the demand of the
Populists for two electors in each, was
reasonable, and he will recommend
that the proposition of the Populists
to fuse on this basis be accepted. He
will recommend also a somewhat more
liberal concession in Tennessee.
There are three straight tickets III
the field in Florida, and as a result of
the conference, an effort wall be made
to merge the Democratic and Populist
tickets. There will Ibe an attempt to
get the two parties together in Ala
bama, Louisiana and Texas. In Texas
there is a movement on foot looking
to fusion between the Populists and
Republicans. Senator Buffers infiu-
ence will be exerted ITO prevent this.
SITUATION IN NORTH CAROLINA.
With reference to North Carolina
Senator Butler gave the assurance that
whether there was fusion or not, the
electoral vote of the State could be
counted upon for Bryan. 1T is,' he
said to Senator Jones, like the case
of the two women who appealed to
King Solomon to settle the dispute
as to the motherhood of child.
Neither of us can afford to have the
child killed to settle the dispute"
The situation in Kansas received
special attention. Some of the Popu-
lists in this State are dissatisfied with
the arrangement there, which they
claim would result in giving the cleo
toral vote of that State TO Sewall and
ignore Watson. Mr.. Butler is investi-
eating the situation with the hope of
securing better terms. Mr.. Johnson
assured him, however, that the leading
members of the Populist party were
entirely satisfied with the arrangement
in that State and THAT the movement
for a second Populist convention was
in no wise general among the members
of that party 1t is understood that
Senator Jones promised to give atten-
tion to the situation there and to use
his good offices with the Democrats to
secure some concession for the Popu-
lists on the electoral ticket of the State
in case it should appear advisable so
to do.
One of the reasons for a general I'M
derstanding in the States where there
is known to be a majority favorable
to silver which was conceded by all,
was the necessity for arranging mat
ters so as 70 permit the leaders in
those States to devote themselves to
the campaign in other sections. In this
connection there was considerable dis
cussion of the situation in Idaho upon
Senator Dubois reelection. 1t was
generally agreed that the effort to
reach an harmonious understanding
there should be continued with the
view of permitting the Senator and his
friends to participate freely in the
canvass in other States.
BUTLER STRONG FOR BRYAN.