Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-07-20
TO-DAY'S TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
Silverites and Populists.

Silverites and Populists.
ST. LOUIS, July 2O.-The week opens
with steady downpour of rain, which
interferes somewhat with the preliml-
naries of the conventions: AT q meet
ing of the leaders of the silver party, it
was decided to maintain the present or
ganization and to formulate platform
on the same lines as the democratic
platform so that Mr.. Bryan could &C.
cept the nomination of the silver party
without becoming embarrassed. 1t is
settled, apparently, that the convention
will nominate, not endorse, Bryan.
A conference ofleaders of both popu-
lists and silverites was held last night to
agree upon plan for united action by
the two conventions. The members OF
the conference were reported to be
nearer together when it broke up, early
this morning, than they had been.
The representatives of the populist
press now in the city had meeting at
which it was made apparent that Sc
wall would not be supported in any
event. 1t was the sense of the meeting
that whatever concessions were made
to democracy, Sewall should not be in
Guided in an endorsement. The much
discussed electoral plan came up, and
it was decided that if any way was
open the populists should secure second
place on the ticket if Bryan was en-
dorsed for President.
Mr.. Taubeneck has not been success
full in holding the members of the exec
utive committee of the populist ma.
tional committee in line for an indie
pendent nomination by the populist
convention. Mr.. Washburn, of Massa-
chusetts, one of them, is out in state
ment unequivocally declaring for the
endorsement of Bryan.
Thomas NJ. Patterson, chairman Of
the Colorado delegation to the populist
convention, arrived here yesterday,
and last night issued an address in
which he urged the nomination OF
Bryan and Sewall. Mr.. Patterson bolt
ed the democratic national convention
years ago because of their refusal to de.
clare for the free coinage of silver.
Senator Jones, of Arkansas, the chair
man of the democratic national COM
mittee, is still in town, and it is possible
that he will not leave until the popu-
list convention completes its work.
Senator Stewart, of Nevada, when ask
ed this morning as to Jones's purposes,
replied significantly "He'll stay here
as long as there's anything for him
to do"
The proposition which Senator Jones,
chairman of the democratic conven-
ton, advances is this: In return for
populist and silver republican support,
one member of each party will be
placed on the democratic national exc
cutive committee. In States where the
populists greatly outnumber the demo-
Gratis, the populists are to control the
nominations for Congress and the prin.
cipal State Offices. In other States
where the strength of the democrats is
more uniform satisfactory arrange
ment will be made with respect to the
State and Congressional tickets.
While the friends of Bryan, both
within and outgide the populist ranks,
are not discouraged at their failure to
bring some of the populist leaders into
line, they are manifestly surprised at
the stubborness with which Taubeneck,
Donnelly and others oppose the sugges.
ton of making him the nominee of the
populist convention. They believe that
the convention will, at least, endorse
him, if it does not nominate him, but
they realize that this can be accom-
plish only by well-directed and deter
mined efforts. There are stories in cir
culation to-day that republican money
is being used to prevent Bryan's nomi
nation, end dark hints are thrown out
to account for the presence in st. Louis
at this time of certain republican poll
ticians well known for their cleverness
as political strategists.
The silver convention will meet next
Wednesday and remain in session only
few hours. Senator Stewart said this
morning that its platform will be brief
and declare for free coinage at 16 to l,
without regard to the action of any
other country. 1t will also contain
protest against the issuance of bonds in
time of peace and favor government
issue of money.