The San Francisco call., 1898-05-15
Fate of Harneyites and Sullivanites in the
 Balance.
Rival Claims for the ContrOi of the Party Organ
 iZatiOn.
EXERCISE GREAT SECRECY
The Hand of Governor Budd May Make tho Last Move in the
 Game.

The fate of the local Democracy hang. in the balance and the question that tn, Harneyites and Sullivanites are askins themselves this morning is Are we in ol are we out?'
 The committee recently appointed by the State Central Committee of the Demo cratic party to adjust the differences ot l the local Democracy met at the California Hotel last evening for the purpose of lis tening to the claims of the opposing fac. tions. The hearing was held behind closed doors, but the sounds that filtered out ! through the oak panels gave evidence o1 l the bitterness of the strife that resulted when the fight for supremacy was vel under way.
 The committee consisted of Robert M Fitzgerald, chairman; Ben M Maddox secretary; Governor Budd, William H. Al word. Eugene Deuprey. Gavin McNab Frank H. Gould, Charles M Cassin and l. l. Irwin.
 It had been previously agreed that each of the opposing factions should have the right of selecting two members to present their respective claims before the committee. In compliance with this agree ment the faction known as the Harney Democrats sent as representatives F. J. Harney and John F. McGovern. The Sul- livan Democrats were represented by Will liam F. Sullivan Jr. and Max Pepper. Each side explained the details of it's or
 
 reasons why one faction should be recog- nized and the other ignored
 Every argument that has ever been put forth in the past on behalf of the county committee and the general com mittee was again dragged into the light for the benefit of the Investigating com mfttee and accusations of bad faith and broken promises were as thick as flow CTS in May. Sullivan accused the Har- neyites of making deliberate effort to wreck the party, to which Major Har- ney replied that if 1t were so the only evidence of 1t was few disgruntled pol iticians who wished to pose as reformers ganlzatlon He thought II any wreck ing was being attempted 1t was being done by these same reformers.
 To the man in the middle of the road 1t would appear that the faction repre- sented by Major Harney has a slight ad- vantage not only in numerical strength, but also in the manner in which the final report of the investigating committee Is likely to be received by the general com mittee. It is admitted that Governor Budd is on the side of the Harneyites and as the Governor Is the power behind the throne in the State organization 1t goes without saying. that the report of the subcommittee will not be acceped un- less 1t is satisfactory to the ruling power.
 No definite action was taken by the committee last night After swearing all members to secrecy as to what trans pired during the session an adjournment was taken until o'clock this evening. In the meantime the followers of the two lOCdl 1IclllOCIdllC ledQeTS are holding their breeaths and standing ready to de- sert to the winning standard at the first intimation of the course of the judicial body.
 There is a great deal of dissatisfaction in Democratic circles because the plan of fusing with Populists has failed except on terms dictated by the Populists These terms are of such a character as to prac- tically absorb the Democrats
 The Populist convention has been called to meet at Sacramento on July 12 It will nominate a full State ticket and Congressman, as well as Railroad Com missioners and members of the Board of Equalization.
 The fusion question was taken up and settled definitely at the Populist commit tee meeting in this city a few days ago. The following resolution was adopted de- manding joint platform as a condition precedent to any joint nominations:
 The State Executive Committee of the Peo- ples Party, in regular session assembled in fixing date for the Peoples Party State con vention, hereby resolves that 1t is the sense of this committee that union or amalgama- tion of political reform forces or parties in the State of California in 1898 should look to a placing of principles first and the selection Party should demand of such other political forces desiring unity of action, that said par ties should by their proper conventions first agree and adopt identical common plat form of principles which all candidates desir- ing the support of any of said parties must accept and that such common platform must precede any and all nominations.
 Tn order that there be no questions left to dispute the Oregon platform was se- lected as the basis and a referendum left to the party as to whether it would l1nfte with that as the basis.