The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-22
70 FUSE OR NOT TO FUSE?
THE QUESTION OF INTEREST IN THE
POrULIsTTC CAMP.
4 Decided Difference Of Opinion Exc
lists Between the Middle-of-the.
Readers and Those Who Advocate
Uniting Forces AID Dividing once

Special Dispatch 70 the Post-Inseliigencer.
TACOMA, Dec. 2f-The call recently ts-
sGed by the secretary OF the Popnlist city
committee for a meeting Friday morning
next brings TO light that there Is de-
ciied difference of opinion as TO matters
and things politically in the camp OF the
local Peoples party advocates and syn pa
thizsrs- The call announces that the meet
ing viii be held at the office OF one OF the
committee. and this seemingly insignia-
cant feature OF the proposed gathering
means mere than would appear to the IN
itiated. and points rather plainly 10 the
fact that there may be something Ike
unto discord in the ranks before the COM
ing campaign shall have been brought 10
an end.
To fully explain the meaning Of the m
portance OF the place Of meeting IL Is nec-
essary to tell how not long ago two PROM
inent Populists, noted for their middle-of-
tfle-road proclivities. secured the lease OF
the old county building. presumably for
the purpose of establishing permanent
Populist headquarters. These two men are
Capt. Hogan and william Metcaif. both
employed at present in the office OF the
county clerk. The quarters In the old
county building had been occupied BY the
Doolittle Republican Club. and the lease
thereon expired Novembe l. MesSrs. Met
calf and Hogan heard of the expiration OF
the lease offered the county commissioners
$40 more per year than the Doo!ittie CEo
had paid and In due time secured the
lease. II was made out in their names
and the lessees furnished a proper bond as
security. and to show good faith Inc
impression seemed to prevail that the les
sees while having acted individually. had
secured the lease for the general benefit or
their praty and that the old Republican
headquarters was to become the meeting
place OF the Populist party on all occa-
sions when gatherings might be held. Sucn
however, now develops to have been an err
ror. and for some reason, either good or
groundless. the official committee of the
party In the city has ignored the effort OF
Messrs. Metcalf and Hogan. and has de-
cided to meet at a distance from the sup
posed headquarters.
When questioned as to the matter. the
lessees said they had leased the old county
building quarters as an individual specula-
ton. but in the expectation of making II
the official headquarters of their party,
and then when asked why the city COM
mittee had not called its meeting there,
they gave no definite reply, but explained
that this committee has nothing to do any
how, and can only come together in order
TO call for the election of new officers and
then disband.
Talks with others. however, do not bear
out this view of Messrs. Metcalf and Ho-
gan, and it seems that the city commit
tee Is likely to remain III evidence, at
least until the convention Is In session. Its
members hold that they form the only off,
cial body of the kind and will act until
their term is at an end. They expect to
discuss among themselves the advisable
ity Of fusion, at the next election, ana,
Judging from their comment regarding
those of their party who are out against
fusion, their sentiments are decidedly Ia
vorable to continuation of the combined
idea.
They explain they will probably pass res
olutions empowering their secretary to IS
sue an invitation TO kindred committees
of the Silver Republicans and Democrats
for a conference. This conference. II is
believed. should be held as early as can
conveniently be arranged. and is 10 de-
termine upon what basis the fusion OF
forces shall be established--ff at all.
81 can't say we will have fusion" said
a fusion Populist today. but We viii have
It IL we can come to a satisfactory agree
ment. You may bet on that safely. 1t Is
Just this way:
IF the Democrats want all the offices.
or the Silver Republicans insist upon more
than they may be entitled to; or IL the Pop
ulists demand an unreasonable slice or the
pie. why. OF course. there VIII be no III
sion. But don't believe this Is at all like
~. despite the efforts Of a few soreheads
10 shout down fusion. Each party will de-
a general conference will then be held and
the whole slate made up That's the only
way to get at the matter fairly. and all
this talk about other plans is rank nom
sense.
TOO much ado Is being made about the
chatter Of handful OF men. pretending to
be middle -the-road Populists. This
clique is trotting with our old friend Frank
Baker, and Baker Is credited with pushing
George W. Thompson. a Silver Republican,
for the nomination for mayor. Does that
much resemble middie-ofthe-road princi-
PIES? No the kickers will not cut any
great quantity of ice when It comes TO pre-
pairing for the election. Their sore spots
are too apparent. The faction Is admit
teddy made up of those having some in
jury TO nurse. caused by the present ad-
ministration."
When a member OF the city committee
was seen. he said that so far as he knows
the entire committee will be present at the
meeting set for Friday. Although he talked
guardediy he limited that the supposed
PopUlist headquarters. for good reasons.
WAS not the place the committee cared TO
meet in. All things considered the indi-
cations are that a verltabie split is not i'm
probable. and that the combined camp OF
the last election may in 1SsS have a ca, and
dog time of t.. The conservative fusonists
say the election - vet far enough away
to Justify the hope thar the present differ
ences may be settled before the campaign,
but those who have declared either for or
against fusion DO not even hint at at
tempting reconciliation.