Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-23
POPULISTS ARE DISTURBED
A Conference to Be Held of the Populist
Committee in This City.
Subtle Plot in the Democratic
Ranks to Overthrow
MIR. Bryan.

The populists are said TO be greatly dis
turoed on account of having overplayed
their hand. In 1896 they had considerable
trouble in the nomination of Bryan be-
cause he had already been nominated by
the democrats. The democrats then nomi-
mated for Vice President man whom the
populists would not accept. In an attempt
TO control the middle-ef-t the-road populists,
1t was argued that the whole fault was
their own in their not having called their
convention to meet on date earlier than
that of the democratic convention, and 1t
was solemnly declared that their next ma
tional convention should be held first of all
of the silverite conventions. Subsequently
in an effort to hold the middle-of- the-road
populists in line it was decided at con-
ference in Omaha that the populist con-
vention in 1900 should be held in advance of
the democratic convention.
Development Since.
Since then there have been developments.
1t has become evident that the middle-of-
the-road populists are determined to keep
in the middle of the road and that there
can be no cooperation between them and
the Bryanites of any party Therefore the
motive for an early pepulist convention is
removed. and, insteadzof being a matter of
barrassment to the Bryan people. There
mas been a correspondence between Sena-
tor Butler, chairman of the national COM
mittee, and members of the committee on
thls subject, and it is proposed now that
a conference of the populist committee
shall be held in Washington with the view
OF adjusting the matter in "a way to avoid
the embarrassment of Mr., Bryan and the
democrats.
There is no longer any motive for placat-
ing the middle-of-the-IoaG populists, and
II is likely that the resolution to hold an
early convention will be 7abrogated. An
effort Will be made to have the three ma
uohal conVenuons-poplI1iSt, silver republi-
can and democratic-ilear about the same
time, and the argument will be advanced
that the populists and silver republicans
conventions should be held after the demo-
cfalc convention, so that If the democrats
happen to go back on any of the principles
OF the other two parties the pepulists and
the silver republicans will be in a posi-
non' acting together, to nominate Mr. Bry-
an on platform Of their own, defying the
world.
Plot Against Bryan.
Inc Bryan democrats are perfectly con-
hdent that there is to be no fight made
IN thelf convention against Bryan and the
Chlcago platform. The populists and sill
yer republicans do not join in this feeling
oil confidence The fact is that very sub
Tie ana dangerous movement is now In
progress within the lines of the democratic
party to overthrow Organism if not Bryan
hlmsel1' and the anti-Bryan democrats are
H'ore hopeful of success In their scheme
Ior lhe alteration Of the platform and the
sillitlng OF issues than they have been be-
lore within the past year. They are COM
ing TO the Bryan leaders with gifts and
pfotestations of loyalty, and they expect
III ,nls way to secure concessions which
eould not be had bys force. They have
seized ~ upon Bryans anti-imperialist doc
trines and, upon the plea that anti-im-
periahsm Is the great issue of the hour
laid aside for the time being. and are
promising to put up money and to work for
the election of the democratic ticket on
the issue of anti-imperfalisrn.