The San Francisco call., 1898-07-13

SACRAMENTO, July 12.-James G. Mcguire stands but a slim chance of capturing the Populist State Conven- ton. His opponents say he stands not the slightest chance, while his friends make no attempt to conceal their anxiety and tonight are talking about leaving the head of the ticket open.
 Since the vote for temporary chair man was taken in the convention this morning the situation has taken many turns. Then the fusionists claimed everything in sight and talked boast ingly of having put the middle -of-the- roadsters to rest permanently. They half expected to see their opponents walk out of the convention hall and would not have been sorry had they done so, but after the long recess, when it was found that the anti fusionists were in their seats and not showing the least disposition to admit defeat, the Buckley -Maguires became apprehenSive.
 Gators resolution to have the com mittees named by the Congressional districts deprived the chairman of that ch-desired task, but the fusionists rallied and managed to control the
 
 form committees in the end.
 Even this did not disconcert the ant1- fusionists. They had attempted to caucus during recess, but were unable to muster respectable number of their following, so they adjourned until to- night. The meeting was held at the State House, according to agreement and lasted nearly three hours. But it settled the fate of James G. Mcguire, so far as the Populists are concerned.
 No fusion and no compromise" was the watchword, and this will be fol- lowed out to the last ditch.
 A programme was definitely agreed upon, which is nothing less than to hold a convention of the middle of the road sters after the present body adjourns, if necessary. and put up a complete ticket from top to bottom.
 The middle-O of -roadsters will not bolt now: they are determined to force the fusiOniStS to terms, and believe they will be able to do so. The leaders have held the 109 votes cast for Web ster as firm as a rock, and claimed they have gained some accessions from their opponents. This may or may not be true, but it is a fact that some of the Southern delegates are beginning to ask what the Democrats propose to give them in the way of patronage in addition to the minor places on the ticket that will be doled out to them.
 These uuestioners are far sighted and reason something like this: With the war with Spain in progress. the con- servative people will naturally support the administration in every way pos sible even to State and local offices. In consequence the State Is almost cer- tain to go Republican, with the pos sible execution of Governor, and the Fusionists can save him only by slaughtering the others on the ticket. This would leave the Democrats with the Governor and his patronage, and the Populists the barren honor of hay ing put up some candidates for other offices who were defeated. Naturally, looking at the situation in this light, attention to some of the appointive places, and they want to know what they may expect in that line. And the more they ponder, the more inclined they are to let Mcguire severely alone.
 Every hour finds the majority of this morning more divided While some are still holding out for Mcguire, others are becoming more firmly convinced that the better plan would be not to mention Mcguire in convention at all but leave the head of the ticket vacant. to be filled later by the State Committee after conferring with the other parties and getting the best possible terms.
 Still another faction of the fusionists is in favor of a scheme to put up a dummy ticket to be knocked down later and Democrats substituted. This