Evening star., 1896-07-22
The first test Of strength was eagerly looked
| forward to. as It would prove which was in
/ ho

forward to. as 1t would prove which was in
the majority,
lacerned there was little or no public interest
In 1t. The attention Of the public was all
for the populist gathering
Although the "middle-of-the-roa1" men
ment of Senator Butler of North Carolina,
who was selected for temporary chairman
by the national committee, that he was in
favor OF Bryap's nomination conditionaily,
they had not decided up to 8 o'clock this
| morning whether they would fight the
selection on the 1oof
Just before going to the convention the
Texas delegati ton decided not to make any
fight on Butler, believing that it was un-
wise to show their strength. The Texas
delegation is the backbone Of the middle
of-the-road movement.
1t was stated at the Texas meeting that
Butler could not harm the cause by any
speech he might make, as he could be
sWsred. The Texas men were inharmon-
ict's, and there were many expressions
heard against Butler and some other dele
gates. al d they reserved the right to sup
port any one they pleased in opposition to
the m choice of the national committee.
L. NJ. Patterson of Colorado this morning
received the following telegram from o. B.
Bentall of Galveston, Tex:
The populists of south Texas will fight
for silver Under the banner of Bryan and
SeEalf The disciples of Webb Flanagan
can Keep In the middle of the road till
doomsday."
'te Hliuuie-OI-tne-rOaQ men decided TO
place o. d. Jones of Missouri in nomination
for temporary chairman against Senator
Marion Butler, who has been selected by
the national committee. The middle-of-the-
read men did not hold any formal meeting,
but the agreement was reached among the
few leaders VINO gathered this morning.
1t was also announced early today that
definite agreement had been reached to
place Paul NanderVoort in nomination in
opposition to Bryan. Nandervoort has con-
sented to run before the convention. and
says he will give Them all the fight he has
in him.
The niiddle-of-the-road men are not all
well organized. and they have no definite
idea of their strength. either on the tenn
of candidates.
Tendency to Compromise.
The consensus of opinion among the dele
gates ccngregated at the Dopulist conven-
ton hall before the convention was called
to order today was that there had been
rapid growth of sentiment since yester-
dey favorable to the compromise idea of
nominating Bryan and putting another
man the ticket with him for the vice
presidency. The prediction was freely
made on all hands that such would be the
outcome of the convention and there can
be no doubt that opinion is rapidly trys-
talizng in this direction. If the nomina-
tioas were made today there is little doubt
this course would be pursued and the
growth of sentiment has been so steady in
this direction that there is reason to be-
lieve this will be the solution of the diff
Guilty.
There is. however. no saying what change
may occur In SO large convention in
twenty-four hours. Much will depend upon
the attitude of the managers of the Bryan
and Sewal boom. They continue to hold
out determinedly for the Endorsement cf
the entire democratic ticket. and declare
enlphatically that they will accept no in
Gorser1ent which does not include Sewall
as well as Pryar. Some of the followers,
however. show signs Of weakness and are
beginning to reason that the compromise Is
preferable to a split in the party.
Texas Delegates in Conference.
The Texas popdlist delegation held
meeting in their seats in the convention
hall today before the convention began its
work for the purpose of devising some
means of reconciling the differences in the
convention. The meeting was productive
of no results except speech making. Cen
J. =. Weaver was called in for consulta-
tioD, and made a brief speech. urging har-
mcny. Texas" he said, us not afraid
or any body, but We must get together.
He advised that the convention, includ-
ing delegates and alternateS, meet in eau
Gus tonight, excluding all others, for the
purpose of agreeing on the plan of action.
The suggestion at first fagurdbly re
ceived, but it was afterward declared TO be
inpracticabie.
Speeches were also made by ''Stujos''
Ashley, state chairman: Harry Tracey and
others. Mr.. Ashley declared that Texas
would stand by her convictions if she had
to stand alone, and Mr.. Tracey said the
pOpulStS were not here to hold ID ratification
meeting.