The herald., 1898-08-03
NEBRASKA FUSION
A Lively Time But the Prospects Are
for a Good Establishments
Hold Balance Of Power

LINCOLN, Neb., Aug. 2.-Nebraska's fu-
sion forces failed to make for themselves a
record for industry In their three state
conventions held today. Beginning shortly
after o'clock this afternoon, an evening
recess found them hardly we'll begun, per-
manent organization and appointment Of
Gust mary committees being the sum total
of the work accomplished by the night ses-
sion. An excuse for delay was found in the
fact that the Populists, Democrats and Free
Silver Republicans met in different parts of
the city, and to make fusion binding 1t was
necessary that conference committees
should make frequent trips to and from the
respective halls.
Interest conferred largely in the Populist
deliberations, as 1t was a foregone conclu-
sion that this branch of the political family
would dictate the terms on which the triple
alliance would be effected. 1t was nearly s
o'clock when the night session began, and
two hours later the report of the conference
committee on division of the offices among
the three parties was received. 1t recon-
mended that the Populists be allowed to
name the head of the ticket (governor) and
that such other state officers as had served
acceptably be renominated.
There was no opposition and the report
was adopted in turn by each convention.
1t means that the Populists take every state
office except attorney general, which goes
to the Democrats.
At 1890 nominations for governor were
called for in the Populist convention.
The first formal ballot brought seventeen
candidates for governor, w. A. Poynter of
Boone, Populist, leading in strength in the
Populist convention; Judge Neville of North
Platte, Populist, with the Free Silver Re-
publicans, while the Democrats. regarding
the agreement of the conferees. cast their
solid vote for Attorney General Smith,
Democrat.
The second and third ballots were I'M
eventful, but the fourth saw the Populists
give Poynter a majority, and he was de-
clared the nominee of the convention. About
the same time the Free Silver Republicans
veered from Neville to Poynter, giving a
fiattering vote, but declining to make him
the unanimous choice. The Democrats on
the fourth ballot again cast a solid vote for
Smith. AS 1t requires a majority of all
three conventions to nominate the Demo-
Gratis are able to block progress indefinitely.
Events of the Day
LINCOLN, Neb., Aug. "A night of cau-
cuSing and conferences mas Ialleu 10 Ell
tirely clarity the political atmosphere in
cident to the State fusion convention which
meets this afternoon. 1t developed en-
phatically today that the Populists are
masters of the situation and can dictate
terms to the other two parties to the trip
l;cate agreement, which in all probability
will be on basis of giving the Lieutenant
Governor to the Free Silver Republicans,
the Attorney General to the Democrats and
the balance of the State ticket to the Popu-
lists. AS to the head of the ticket around
which the greatest interest centers, Gov
ernor Holcomb is a frequently mentioned
| possible candidate, but 1t is doubtful If he
would accept with his knowledge of Popu-
| list opposition to a third term.
story was started connecting the name
of w. J. Bryan with the Gubernatorial
nomination, but it was quickly pronounced
absurd by delegates who claimed to be
able to speak for Mr.. Bryan.
The three conventions will be called to
order at 2:3O o'clock and If the program to
take a recess of the organization is fol-
lowed. prospects are good for an all-night
struggle.