The San Francisco call., 1898-08-17
Strained Relations Be- tween POpuGStS and
 Nathan Cole Jr.
He Says That the Congress. man Would Have to Explain
 Too Much.

CALL HEADQUARTERS, SACRA- MENTO, ,- '. 16.-The question as to whether or not Charles A. Barlow shall receive the Democratic indorsement as the candidate for Congress in the Sixth District became very important issue this evening.
 For a time it looked as though the fusion programme was at stake and that there was more than a possibility that the arrangement fixed up in July between the Silver Republicans and Populists might be a labor lost.
 When the Populist leaders, including E. M. Wardell, Barlow's private sec retary and chairman of the State Con- mittee heard of the effort that was be- ing put forth to secure Barlows with drawal, he became very angry and de- nounced the move and the Silver Re- publicans and Democrats who were be- hind 1t in unqualified terms. He said that the railroad company was behind the move, and declared that MT. Bar low would remain in the race to the end with or without Democratic ap- proval. He went so far as to state that if Barlow was not indorsed fusion on the State ticket was at an end. ga.
 While Chairman Wardell is not the entire Populist party, still he has con- siderable influence in it's ranks. A meet ing of Populist State committeeman was called for 10 D. m. at the State House Hotel.
 the Silver Republican member of the fusion committee, to present himself and show cause why he should not be censured for avowing sentiments an- tagonistic to the candidacy of MT. Bar low, and for that reason be debarred I1 IOryN let confreres.
 Mr. Cole, in reply to this pointed in- yitation, sent back word that he did not propose to put himself before any Populist committee to explain any act he had performed or any position he had taken. Inasmuch as MT. Cole was a very important factor in running the Popuiist State Convention that met here July 12, the Severing Of pleasant relations between himself and the Pop ulist committee was rather remark able.
 Cole finally consented to confer with the Populists, and at 10 p. m. presented himself at the State House Hotel. The meeting proceeded behind closed doors.
 Before entering Mr. Cole made the following statement of his position to The Call:
 'I am not personally antagonistic to MT. Barlow's ambition. On the other
 
 Congressman our district has had dur ing my fourteen years residence in Los Angeles. But have thought for a year past that some strong Democrat should be given the Congressional nomination this year. The Populists have had two members in the past six years. MT. Barlow's candidacy before the people Is also impaired In a legal complica-' tion arising. ,between4zMr. Barlow and J. Marion Brooks some letters were made public which place Barlow in an unfortunate light. He would be com pelled to explain the letters and a cam paign of explanation is seldom success full. For these reasons have taken the position I have with regard to MT. Bar low"
 It was after midnight when the di- recting spirits of the Populist party adjourned their conference with MT. Cole. At the breakup the announce ment was made that the era of good feeling between the Silver Republicans and Populists had been resumed, and differences as to MT. Barlow's candi- dacy settled.
 The entire situation with regard to Barlow's prosrects for an election was reviewed. MT. Barlow strongly urged thats his record was. in his opinion, strong enough to carry him back to Washington.
 His Ropulist friends agreed with him, and thereupon MT. Cole waived his ob- jections to Barlow's remaining in the fight, and announced that as Barlow wished to make the race he would sup port him for the nomination and at the polls.
 Thus closed an incident which for a time threatened to overturn fusion, and which had it proceeded much further. would have thrown the combination into indescribable disorder