Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-02
FUSION.
THE TRIPARTITE SILVER AL
LANCE ACTS IN HARMONY. {
ADDRESS By WILLIAM ]. BRIAN.
Democrats, Popuiists, and silver Re-
rubIicans Agreed I'm Opinion on
BimetaIIism, and Agreed That
Money Question Is Paramount.

BimetaIllsm, and Agreed That
Money Question Is Paramount.
LINCOLN, NEB., September 1.-The
tripartite alliance of the Nebraska free
silver forces was given good headway
to-day, by three large conventions, held
respectively by the Democrats. Populists,
and Free-Siver Republicans. These
gatherings. conducted under separate or
ganizations. acted in perfect harmony,
and when the routine work had been de-
cided upon. the delegates gave their at
tention to addresses by leading silver ad-
vocates. During the morning, the
Democratic State Central Committee
agreed upon c. y. Shallenberger, OF
Alma. for temporary chairman. the Sill
yer Republicans elected +. w. Loomis,
of Omaha, for the same, and the Popu-
lists decided to leave the election OF a
temporary chairman to that convention.
The three conventions were called to
order at o'clock this afternoon, the
Pooulists meeting in the Lansing
Theatre. the Democrats in public hall'
and the Silver Republicans in the Young
Mems Christian Association building.
Had there been a hall in the city large
enough to accommodate the crowd, the
three conventions would have been
merged into one.
The Democratic convention was pro-
badly the most enthusiastic Of the three.
The hall was filled TO its utmost capa-
city. The feature Of the opening was u
declaration of State-Chairman Danifnai
relative to the terms Of fusion. nc
said: "We want the Populists TO uh-
derstand that the Democrats demand
their share of the fruits OF fusion. we
have conceded the bulk OF the oinces
10 the Populists, but We think we nave
q right to the Supreme JudSesIhp' anu
when this convention appoints lts con-
ference committee and adtourns Tor tle
afternoon, l insist on every delegate
working with the Popuiist brethreh,
and urging upon them the necessity OF
grantine ma this office" By these re-
marks il is apparent that Mr.. Dahlman
anticipated some difficulty in effecting
n fusion that would be satisfactory TO
his party. but his fears did not appear
to be generally shared. Temporary
Chairman Shallenberger made lengthy
speech.
The Populist convention was charac-
terized by confusion, as the delegates
insisted on cheering for their party ana
their leaders. Temporary Chairman
Powers made a short speech, in whlcn
he urged harmonious action by the al
lied parties, and counselled a spirit OF
Cancellation on the part Of the Populists.
The Silver Republican convention eS-
a. ,ff In axh
lung-power and there were mainly empty
seats throughout the hall. Temporary
Chairman Loomis made short speech,
urging the forces TO keep together, ana
ioin hands In cooperating with the other
two parties I'm the convention. The
three conventions then appointed their
committees, and took a recess until I:SO
o'clock.
At 4:3OP p. NJ. the delegates gathered and
listaned to a number OF addresses by
w. !. Bryan, ex-Congressman Charles A.
Tov'ne. General Weaver and others. MI.
Bryan said, in substance:
ADDRESS BY BRYAN.
"rhe Democrats, Populists, and Silver
Republcans were led to cooperate last
wear because they were agreed In opinion
unon the subject of bimetallism, and also
agreed In the belief that the money ques-
tion was the paramount issue before the
people. If bimetalllsm was riSht theh,
il Is right now. If 1t was the paramount
issue then, 1t is the paramount issue v$9N'
If cooperation was wise then, II Is wise
now. The three parties can act together
without injury to their party organza-
tions without sacrlnce OF peace' anu
without harm to each other.
"The money question must be settled
before other questions can be seriously
considered. To fight each other In the
nresence of a united and unscrupulous
enemy would not only postpone the
restoration Of bimetallism, but endan-
ger the success OF every other Qfces-
sary reform.
"Continued cooperation between the
forces which acteo together last year
did not mean that any one or the par
ties would swallow the other two; II
simply means that they will travel to-
gether while they can, and separate oniy
when they must Ii means that they
will place tho success or the cause
above the temporary triumph or any
party, and leave the future TO deter-
mine which organization is most worthy
of public support.
"In this great contest men are oniy
considering. and only thinking, Of the
success OF lIt tdus'. NADN'N~f
tions must be subordlnated to the public
good. The man who urges his candl-
dacy to the deteriment OF the cause Is
unworthy Of the office to which he as
pires."
At the evening session, Attorney-Gene-
raj Smith, of Douglass county. was
chosen permanent chairman of the Demo
cratic convention; w. A. Poynter, OF
Boone county was chosen by the
Populists TO fill the same position, and
A. j. Weaver of Richardson, was the
selection Of the Free-Silver Republicans.
Conference committees were appointed,
and Immediately set TO work 10 form a
fusion agreement. At 1890 A. NJ. no con-
clusion had been reached. The Demo
cratic conferrees were instructed. The
platform adopted by that convention en-
dorses the Chicago platform; denounces
the proposed retirement OF greenbacks;
dep,ores the delay In settlipg the
Hawaiian question, and extends sympathy
To the stricken miners. All the
convention platforms contain the same
strong free-coinage plank.
During the evening tho waits FOR the
report of the Conference Committee were
filled In with speeches. The three con-
yentions finally adjourned until midnight,
70 await the action Of the committee.
RALEIGH's BUDGET.