The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-07
HOW RYANGOT HIS FUSION
IT WAS M "a HOURS OF THE
HARDEST WORK or HIS LIFE.
tie HAD the stars or the silver Leaders 10 netp
Him, ana with LyinE. Intimidation, and
BuIIdo.ina They damned Their schemes
Through the Harmony" Convention.

AANNNt NNN WV 80
BuItdolIna They damned Their schemes
Through the Harmony" Convention.
LINCOLN, Neb., Sept. 6.-The State campaign
In Nebraska is formally on. Comfortable anima-
ton Is being exhibited by both sides, but the
hurrah that has been made by the silver press
throughout tho country about the harmony OF
tho triangular silver convention Is tho most
Groundlcss fake that has been contributed by
the silver element in this State since Bryan
commenced his remarkable crusade. Their
promotion committee has seen TO II that tho
most exaggerated statements OF the meeting
were sent out, and careful censorship was en-
ploycd TO suppress the details that would ro-
veal tho very evident opposition to the fusion
arrangements.
The convention Of tho three silver parties
was crcditablo enough, but the enthusiasm and
attendance were not TO be compared to the con-
vention of last year, when more than double the
number were at Lincoln. The triangular con-
vcntion report prepared for the silver press
sent out tho most glowing descriptions con.
corning tho harmony and case with which the
conventions got together In tho interest OF sill
yer, but the facts arc that 1t was the hardest
work the silver leaders of the State have had
for years to keep the varied interests together,
and time and time again motions were made in
each of tho three bodies to proceed to the nomi.
u u IA NO WI IGtulluE ait
regardless Of the interests OF silver and the de-
sires of the other conventions.
AS evidence of tho hard work 1t was to ac-
complish fusion the fact may be cited that W.
j. Bryan, Senator Allen. Gov. Ilolcomb, Jerry
Simpson, Senator Teller. Gen. Weaver, Con-
gresham Hartman OF Montana. and Cyclone
Davis Of Texas, together with more than one
thousand prominent silver men from all parts
of the State, labored for more than twcntvIfour
consecutive hours to effect the amalgamation.
When 1t was finally acc, mplishod. Mr.. Bryan
declared that he was more exhausted than he
had been ut any time since the silver campaign
was begun u year ago. He had scarcely had
time to eat n meal and had not closed his eyes.
This was truo not only of tho leaders Of
this and other States who were managing tho
fusion delegates, hui nlro OF nearly the whole
convention. From tho time the three conven-
tions convened. Wednesday at noon, they were
not permitted to take u recess OF more than one
hour until a candidate had been named.
The leaders had done much shrewd planning
in advance. They realized better than the
opposition-the nature Of the undertaking before
them In the first place there was plain evil
dence of independence on the part of the dele
gates to all the conventions, The spirit that
Kept the men OF different political faith, in the
silver ranks last year was wanting this year.
The Popuiists were cIainoring for the nominee
lncS pOlntcu 10. Inc great NUMBER OF Demo-
Gratis who nave been put in office in the State
by POpulist votes, and to the manner in which
they have boosted Bryan and other silver
leaders to the great cost Of their party oreani-
cation. This, too, when they outnutnber tho
Democrats three to one in Nebraska. The
Democrats declared that the Popuiists could
accomplish, nothing without their support, and
behind both political giants the little band OF
SILVER itepaolloans faiSeS their weak voices In
least "a crumb, which was more than they had
ever got before.
yer men al this city two weeks before the con-
vention prepared u plan to SILENCE the indie.
pendent fellows in nil parties. They caused
to be circulated reports to The effect that mem.
beers of tho Republican National Committee, in
the state with unlimited capital, furnished by
the opponents Of bimetallism, and were quietly
putting it where it would do the most work in
preventing harmony and eventual fusion in the
safe Triangular conyention. They openly de-
Hon. j. Sterling Morton were travelling in
the State to promote this distribution OF funds
to the confusion OF the silver men.
They announced that the plan Of the opposi.
ton was TO buy just a few delegates In each
county and pledge them to oppose, by one
silver leaders followed this up by asserting that
any delegate who raised his voice AGAINST tho
alleged, purpose, would prove himself one OF
the tools purchased with the funds OF the oppo.
sitt3n.
the capital they were met by well selected
reception committees. consisting mostly Of
State officials and their assistants. The duty
OF these committees was to stay with their del.
egates, TO TAX TO them OF the fusion plans. and
tel them blood and thunder stories OF the pile
OF goldbug money that was being circulated
in Lincoln to contaminate the delegates. The
tendency was TO brand any delegate who was
the plans previously fixed by Mr.. Bryan and
other state leaders as a tool, of tho oppo ,ition.
This really scared many Middlc-of.thc-lt Road men.
When the conventions were organized the
bu!!dOzing went even further. All the pre-.
siding. officers had been arranged by the Lin.
coin ringsters. and they were prepared to act
quickly. Men were stationed in different parts
OF all the. halls and the moment u delegate
gave any sign OF resisting the committee pIahs
he was a. saulted with such taunts as How
much did Sterling pay youf' 49,, How long
W WerS elected Su Se' a dels s?1He" to a s hilHepE anny y9r
ton" Get out Of the hall If you want to be.
tray your friends"
cerc silver advokitcs as William Jennings
Bryan, and who merely wanted TO assert their
was the stronger or tho weaker, were forced
TO be silent at the risk of being stamped US po-
Htical traitors.
When the Independent sentiment became too
strong in any hail. Bryan was rushed into that
particular convention. and his presence and
all opposition. It really did cause such en-
thusiasm that the voice of the opposition was
drowned in tho hurrah for BRYAN. Tho silver
leader went SO far in the bulldozing tactics
personally that at 10 o'clock on the night OF
the lst he rushed into the Populist convention
lhaving been hurrieily sent forl, where win
T. Mctiuire OF Furnas county, was opposing
the proposition of the silver leaders TO have the
matter Of nominations settled by II committee
OF thrco from zach convention. and in n furious
manner. from the platform. shaking his finger
at Mcclure, screamed, Woe unto the man
who dares stand in the way of a union of our
This was followed by more violent language
and worse demonstrations. McGuirc and his
friends were considerably taken aback by this
exhibition. but Ms he has been n consistent sill
Yer man and n leading citizen of his communi-
ty for many years. he stood his ground. lilo as
serted with considerable fire that as far as he
was concerned the presence OF Bill Bryan was
not needed In the Populist party. As a reward
for his fidelity to liberty OF speech and honest
conviction, Mcclure was not recognized again
by tho Chairman. and was hootcd at by tho
fellow placed by the silver ring amoAx the
farmers for that purpose.
This incident was repeated in different forms
a hundred times during The violent scenes in
tho triangular convention before Judge j. j.
Sullivan OF Columbus was selected from the
Democratic ranks for the Office OF supreme
Judge. He was. Bryan's personal choice, and
tho Populists bitterly resented the Boy Ora.
tors interference, declaring that he had had
more than all others out OF fusion In Nebraska
and shoald have KEEP, his hands of,
Ul.,.n L. "a. ta..tI tn. Ma Tn.t tIn. n---,