The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-07-25
GENERALSHTP
is DISPLAYED
Cunning Scheme COncOcted by the
Middle Of the Road
Faction.
vICE.PREsIDENT NAMED FIRST
4 Suaken Ditch Engulis Napoleon and His
Eagles at Waterloo Minority Re
port on Platform Is
Adopted

ST. Louis, July 24.--The opposition to
sewall in the Populist convention
practically swamped the Bryan forces
at the day session OF the convention
by making II impossible TO prevent a
division OF the Chicago ticket The
leaders were powerless to check the
strong feeling against the shipbuilder
and banker. They had carried the day
In the committee on resolutions, in
framing a comparatively moderate
platform which they afterwards got
through the convention with ease.
Their strategy was skIIfully displayed
at other points. But the intense un-
dercurrent OF feeling against sewall
was fatal 10 them. It was the sunken
ditch, unmarked upon the battlefield.
which. clutching with It's muddy fing-
ers at the wheels Of his artillery, bore
down Napoleon and his eagles at Wa
terloo.
Today the ditch was in open view.
From the beginning II has gaped like
a chasm athwart the path OF the Bry-
an managers. In vain they attempted
TO bridge 1t. Moreover, today for the
frst time, the middle-of-the-road ele-
ment displayed generalship worthy OF
the name. Recognizing the fact that
all hope OF defeating Bryan's nomina-
ton was lost. they concentrated all
their efforts against Sewall. They did
more: they devised a cunning scheme
by which the convention was forced to
nominate the vice-president before the
president. II was an unprecedented
thing and il served to mass the votes
in favor Of the Popullst candidate for
vice president and uncover them in
advance. in the fear that IL Bryan
was nominated, the enthusiasm might
break down the opposition TO Sewall
and stampede majority Of the votes
for the Nebraskan's running mate
When the proposition was made to
change the regular order Of nomina-
tions the Bryan men strained every
nerve TO prevent it. They even plead
ed. When the roll was called they
rallied every vote at their command.
Senator Butler, of North Carolina, was
powerful ally with the ninety-five
votes of the old North state behind
him, and Congressman Skinner chair
man of the delegation. cast the solid
vote of the state against the change. |
When the vote was figured up, how
ever, and he ascertained that there |
was a majority of twenty-six in favor |
OF the proporsition, under his direction, |
after a very pretty theatrical exhibi- |
tion from Mr.. Skinner. the vote Of the |
delegation was cast for the PROPOSE |
ton, and the ants emerged from the |
contest with a majority of 10. This |
made the defeat Of Sewall and the |
nomination of a Fopulist for vice
president certain.
After a stormy session of nearly |
two hours the conference committee of
the Populst and silver conventions
adjourned without having reached any |
agreement A committee was appoint
ed from the two conventions to see
II a mutual understanding could not /
be reached regarding the platform and
presidential candidates. After much
confusion. during which everybody
wanted TO speak at once, the follow
ing was adopted:
Resolved. That it is'the sense of the
conference committee that a union Of
all forces, including the Peoples par
ty, and free silver Democrats and Re-
publicans is expedient, and should be
effected at once for the purpose of
achieving a victory for the advance
ment of free silver in November,
When this was adopted the confer
ence adjourned.
1t was said by Mr., Baker that there
were so many different views and re-
quirements and the two parties were
so widely apart in some points that a
mutual platform could not be drawn
up.
After that the conference of the
joint committee of the two conventions
to nothing and the silver
promptly nominated Bry-
an and Sewall and adjourned sine die.
The anti-Bryan men, although they
presented a minority platform de-
irredeemable paper currency
and crowded with bitter denunciation
of the Democratic and Republican
parties. did not attempt to press it
after their victory. The majority re-
port, which is moderate and contains
a few radical propositions, such as the
demand for gradual assumption by
the government of the ownership of
railroads and for direct legislation,
the initiative and refendum,
was adopted without division and
the minority report laid on the table.
The Democratic managers consulted,
after it became evident that Sewal
could not be nominated, and Bryan
was communicated with by telegraph.
Tom Patterson, of Colorado, who had
Of the telegram announcing