Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-28
STATE P0PULISTS.
THE EVE or THE CONVENTION AT
ROANOKE.
Two Distinct Tncfions-The Co-Ope-
rattonists and the MiddIe-of-the-
Road Men-Wiil There De IA
Straight Ticket:

ROANOKE. VA. July 27.-CSpecial)-
Delegates TO the Populst State Conven-
ton, which meets here tomorrow in
the old opera-house, have already ar
rived. to the number Of fifty or more,
and Il is estimated by prominent men
Of the party that at least 200 will be in
| attendance when the convention is called
to order by State-Chairman Hobson at
u o'clock Tomorrow There is much
division Of sentiment among the Popu-
lists already assembled, about half be-
ing in favor Of cooperating with the
Democratic party by endorsing its nomi-
nee for Governor. provided that party
will adopt planks in its State platform
favorlng fair elections. and a policy OF
retrenchment and reform, which includes
reduction in the expenses Of the State
and local governments. and the election
Of a legislature pledged TO such
policy. In any event. the friends OF CO.
operation say there will be no division
in the Populist ranks on the selection
OF n United States senator. all being
heartily in favor OF the return Of John
w. Daniel to the Senate. IL the Demo-
Gratis, the co-operationists claim, recog-
nize the assistance already given the
party throughout the State and nation
by the POpulsts. they ought 10 allow
them TO name the candidate for Lieu
tenant-Governor and give them fair
show in the selection OF candidates for
the Legislature.
THE OTHER FACTION.
On the other hand, the "Middle-of-the-
Road" faction OF the party, which is
quite strong. so far, in the present gath
ering, declare themselves as emphati-
cally in favor OF putting n full straight
ticket in the field To do otherwise
would. they say, be an admission that
the Democrats had absorbed the Peoples
party. and that practically the latter
party is no longer in existence I'm this
state. They ridicule the idea of fusion,
which they say, means that intimate
admixturo which does not exist between
the Populist and Democratic parties. and
they say that while, under proper
conditions. they might cooperate with
the Democrats. they hold IL TO be for the
best interests OF the Peoples party 70
keep their organization intact by nOmi-
mating candidates for all the State
Democrats. when their State convention
meets here in August. should show a
disposition 10 meet the Populists half
way, an agreement. the "Midde-of-the-
Road" men say, could be reached Just
as easily with full Populist ticket in
the field as It could by taking such
crumbs as might fall TO them from the
Democratic table.
ARE IN EARNEST.
Your correspondent talked with seve-
raj of the leading POpulists here to-day,
and found them thoroughly in earnest
though differing in their view upon the
subject Of cooperation. The portion Of
the delegation already here. as a whole
appears TO be composed Of intelligent
representatives. Of the farming interests
and among them are the following Popu-
list leaders in this State: General James
G.. Field, Of Albemarle county; Captain
Edmund r. Cooke, OF Cumberland coun-
ty; State-Senator w. II. Hale. OF
Franklin county; Major Richard "
Gaines Of Charlotte county; j. Haskins
Hobson. OF Powhatan county. chairman
OF the State Executive Committee; w.
r. Graveey, OF Martinsvile; Jacob II.
Shaner. OF Augusta; o. X. Lappam, OF
stanton; II. a. Muller. OF Henrico Sec
rotary OF the State Committee; George
A. Coyner, Of Waynesboro'; Carter II.
Harrison, OF Powhatan; G.. w. Crum-
pecker, of Roanoke. and J. w. McGayock,
OF Wythe county.
WANTS A STRAIGHT FIGHT.
State-Chairman Hobson has been spoken
OF as a probable nominee for Governor.
but when asked about this he positively
asserted to your correspondent that he
would not be n candidate on any State
ticket. He is, however, strongly in favor
OF a straight fight this year. and among
those who are understood as agreeing
with him are Secretary Muller and Cap
tain Cooke. General Field, Major Gaines.
w. II. Gravely, and Senator Hale. Of
Franklin, are for fusion. or. as the Mid
dle-of-the-Road men call 1t, ''co-opera-
ton" with the Democratic party. The
State Executive Committee held a meet
ing tonight. and will meet again to-mor-
row morning.
The meeting tonight decided 10 recon-
mend Captain +. II. Cooke, of Cumber-
land county for temporary chairman Of
the convention, and II. Adolph Muller. Of
Henrico for temporary secretary. The
Committee on Credentials and Permanent
Organization win be composed OF one
member from each congressional district.
and will be submitted tomorrow by the
State Committee to the convention for
approval.