The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-07-28
P0PULISTS
MEET TO-DAY.
A Strong Element in Favor of Co.
operation.
CAPTAIN EDMUND R. COOKE, OF
CUMBERLAND, RECOMMENDED
AS TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN-A
CANDIDATE FOR LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR WILL BE NOMINATED
AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF
co OPERATION THROWN ON THE
DEMOCRATS.

co OPERATION THROWN ON THE
DEMOCRATS.
Delegates to the Popuiist State conven-
ton which meets here to-day In the Old
Opera House have already--arrived to the
number of fifty or more and iU is .sti-
mated by prominent men of sthe party
that at least 200 will be in ate ndance
when the convention Is called to order by
State Chairman Hobson at 10 O'Clock.
There is much division of sentiment
among the Populists already Assem- bled,
about half being in favor of cooperating
with the Democratic party by endorsing
ats NOMINEES for governor, provided that
party will adopt planks in its State plat.
form favoring fair elections and a policy
of retrenchment and reform, which fh-
cludes n reduction in the expenses of the
State and local governments, and the
election of n 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 election of
United States Senator, all being heart
lily In favor of the return of John w.
Daniel TO the Senate. If the Democrats
recognize the assistance .alread, given
the party throughout the State and ma.
tion by the Populists, the eco opera
tionists" claim they ought ossallow them
to name the candidate for lieutenant.
governor and.give them Transforming in
the selection of candidates for the legis
lature. On the other ..hand, the "Middle
OF the Road faction of the party, which
is quite strong, so far, in the present
gathering declare themselves as emphat-
ically in favor of putting full straight
ticket in the field. TODD otherwise. they
ay,wouldbe an admission'that the Dem.
ocraJs had absorbed the Peoples party,
and that practically the latter party is no
longer in existence in this State.
They ridicule the idea--of fusion, which
they saw means that intimate admiXture
which does not exist between the Popu-
listsand Democratic parties, and they say
that. while under proper conditions they
might CO operate with the Democrats,
they hold 1t to be for the best interests of
the Peoples party to keep their organi-
cation intact by nominating candidates
for all the State officers, from the COVER
nor down. If the Democrats, when their
State convention meets here in August,
should show disposition to meet the
Populists half way AN agreement, "the
Middle of the Road" men say, could be
reached just ..as easily with full Popu-
list ticket in the field as it could by tax
ing such crumbs as might fall from the
Democratic table. A Times reporter
talked with several of the leading Popu-
lists here to-day and::found them thorough
ly in earnest. though differing in their
views upon the subject.of eco operation.
The portion of the delegation already
he-e as a! whoiesa are composed entirely
of intelligent representatives of the
farming interests, and .anong them are
the following Populist leaders I'm this
State: Gen. James G. Field, of Able
marie county Capt. Edmund r. Cooke,
of Cumberland county; State Senator
w. H. Hale, ..of Franklin county; Major
Richard V. Gaines, of Charlotte county;
j. Haskins Hobson, of Powhatan
county, chairman. of the executive COM
mittee: w. II. Gravely, of Martinsvilla:
Jacob H. shaner, Of Augusta; o. X. Lap
ham, of Staunton; 81. A. Mullen, of Hen.
rico, secretary of State committee; George
A. Coyner, of Waynesboio; Carter H.
Harrison, OF Powhatan; G. w. Crum-
pecker, of Roanoke, and J. W. Nc
Gavock, of Wythe county.
state Chairman Hobson has been
spoken of as probable nominee for gov
ernor; but when asked about this he pos.
itively asserted to The Times reporter
that he would not be candidate on anv
state ticket. He is, however, strongly In
favor o. q straight fight this year. and
among those who are understood as
agreeing with him are Secretary Mullen
and Captain Cooke. General Field,
Major Gaines, w. H. Gravely and Sena
Tor Hale, of Franklin, are for fusion. or.
as the middle of the Road" men call it.
COT operation" with the Democratic
party.
AT the meeting of the Popnlist State
comm ittee last night it was decided to
recommend Captain Edmund r. Cooke,
OF Cumberland, for Temporary chairman
OF the convention, and H. Adolph Muller,
OF Henrtco, for temporary secretary
Inc committees on credentials and per-
manent organizations is TO be composed
OF one member from each Congressional
district and will be submitted to-day by
tne state committee for..approyal. The
convention will meet at 12 M in the Old
opera House End the public is cordially
invited to attend.
1t is understood ssthat the executive
committee will hold another meeting at
III O'Clock this morning. The policy as
outlined by the committee will be one
hat Will throw the responsibility On the
democrats for non cooperation should
they conclude not TO fight the battle in
unison. The plan which will be followed
to day is to nominate q candidate for
lieutenant governor and then appoint a
committee OF three to confer with the
Democratic leaders for the purpose of
securing CO operation by the Democrats
a N ~ mr. ha H.