Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-28
pEMooRArrc-ror HARMoNY.
"Coin" Harvey Explains How IL 10
to BE Secured.


"Coin, Harvey Explains How II IL
to BE Secured.
Chicago July 18th.
To w. r.. Hearst. New York Journal:
What appears to be an irreconcilable
confusion resulting from the failure OF the
81. Louis convention to nominate Sewall
Is not such, and harmony will soon be
brought about.
The fact that Bryan's name b to be on
both tickets will bring about fusion OF
electors in each State that viii draw out
the full strength Of both the Democratic
and Peoples Party votes. TO illustrate
IL: Illinois has twenty-four electoral
votes. The Democratic State Convention
should name, say, twenty electors. and
the Peoples Party State Convention,
four electors. In many States, under the
Australian ballot system, the same name
of the candidate or elector cannot go on
two or more tickets This 10 ohviated by
putting the names OF the twenty Demo-
cratic electors and four Peoples Party
electors all on the Democratic ticket. In
States where the Peoples Party has more
votes than the Democratic party. and
there are some ten or twelve OF these,
the above plan will be reversed by putting
the Democratic electors on the Peoples
Party ticket.
In the case Of Illinois, as above cited.
a Peoples Party man would vote his
ticket straight by putting a cross at the
head OF 1t. but, as the place for electors
on that ticket is blank, he would, after
voting his party ticket, go over to the
Democratic ticket on the Australian bal
lot, and cross the names OF the twenty
four electors.
1t is also worthy OF suggestion that, In
view Of the large number Of Republican
votes that are being organized under the
National Bimetallic party, they should
also be invited to name one or more cleo
tors in each State that will be recognized
and placed upon the ticket.
II this combined movement, now as
Stunning form, should be successful in No
vember. the result would be as follows:
If there were enough straight Demo-
cratic electors elected TO make
a majority in the Electoral Col
lege, 1t Will mean Bryan and
Sewall. If not, then IL means Bryan and
Watson. BY this plan 1t Is not necessary
for Sewall to withdraw from the ticket,
and 1t is better for him to stay on-the
Peoples Party are given hope OF elect
ing their candidate for Vice-President and
chance to hold their party organi-
cation together. 1t means the combined
strength of the organization of the two
political bodies IN a common movement.
This plan would have been readily I'M
derstood at st. Louis, and all the anxiety
experienced since then would have been
avoided, IL it had not been for the fact
that few Democratic leaders were there
selfishly disposed, from a party stand
point, TO crush out or frighten all oppo-
sitlon to the Democratic party having the
sole right Of way. They know that there
is tidal wave on and that the people
are thinking for themselves but they have
been immersed in party politics so long
that they cannot accustom themselves
to yielding any of their party organi-
cation.
After a week or two everything will
begin to assume shape, and by September
it will be readily understood by the peo-
pie. The only objection urged TO the
fusion plan on electors is that the voters
will not be educated sufficiently to vote
the combination ticket. 1t is feared that
after placing the cross at the head OF
his ticket, in case II Is the ticket where
the electors are left blank the voter will
neglect or will not know how to use his
pencil on the other ticket, where the
electors name appear This Is answered
by the statement that In each state the
newspapers will print the form OF the
ballot with the check marks as they
should be placed by Democrats and Pop
ulists and silver Republicans, thus making
1t plain. And, in addition to this, the Ma
tional and State Committees will make up
a dummy form of the Australian ballot,
illustrating how the voter should be gov
erned I'm making his crosses upon the bal
~ this HnaI UOffnR must
come from the Populists, II Is also urged
on the part Of the Peoples Party men
that their voters are all students of pol
itics. and we'll educated In such matters
as will probably fit them to cast their
votes intelllgently upon this fusion plan.
IL should be remembered that by the
Constitution and laws OF the United
States the people do not elect President
and Vice-Preside What the people do
Is to elect electors, who meet at the capi-
tolls of their respective States ana
cast their votes for whomsoever
they may choose for President
that we elect, and not Presi-
dent and President. The electors
elect him. The electors may vote for
such persons for President and Vice
President as they may elect TO so vote
for. The nomination OF candidates for
President and Vice-President Is a custom
without sanction of law, and by usage
the electors are expected TO vote for such
persons as their national convention has
declared for.
Hence 1t will be readily understood that
a division by naming Sewall for Vice
President on the Democratic ticket and
Watson for Vice-President on the Popu-
list ticket does not, in its result, by
fusion plan, divide the vote of the people,
but in effect operates to make certain
the election OF either Sewall or watson
1t Is only In few States where, by
reason of the law, there will be a COM
pIicatlon or need of specially educating
the voters. In most OF the States, the
names of the same electors can go on
both tickets. w. II. HARVEY
Author Of Coins Financial School"