The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-07-12
Mr.. TOWNE ArS) SPEAKS
He Makes the Positive Statement that
He Will Withdraw.
RATHER SLOW WORK BY CONVENTIONS
Up to Late Hour Last Night the Three Parties
Met 10 Name Full State and Electoral
Tickets Had Mad. Little
Progress
(By the Associated Press.D

(By the Associated Press.)
Lincoln, Neb, July 11.-Three fusion
State conventions, Populist, Silver Re-
publican and Democrat, met here today
to nominate a full State ticket. The
Populist State convention was called to
order by State Chairman Edmiston with
over 1900 delegates present. In his
address Chairman Edmiston urged that
the delegates work in unity in the inter
ests of the reform forces. His reference
to w. ]. Bryan, that noble man, that
free man. who represents the interests
of common humanity" was enthusiast
cally cheered.
Senator w. " Allen was made tenn
porary chairman and on taking the chair
made a plea for harmony and conserva-
tism, saying there was never a time in
the history of the country that such a
grave situation confronted it. A motion
TO make the temporary organization per-
manent was carried. After the announce
ment of the committees on platform and
rules and order of business, the six Con-
gressicnal districts elected members of
the committee on conference with the
Democrats and Silver Republicans.
TIE convention then took a recess
until p. m., pending the report of the
committee.
Chairman Hall of the State Central
Committee called the Democratic con-
vention to order, and named as temporary
chairman T. ]. Doyle, of Lincoln. Chair
man Doyle made an address of consider
able length. His incidental reference to
w. J. Bryan brought out hearty applause.
Following the appointment of a Com
mittee on Credentials, w. d. Oldham of
Lincoln, and r. S. Bibb, of Beatrice, ad-
dressed the convention. Mr.. Bbb four
years ago repudiated the Free Silver
plank Of the Democratic National Con-
venton and supported Major Mckinley.
His speech served to announce his re-
conversion to the principles of Democracy.
The convention then took a recess until
8 o'clock
The Free Silver Republicans organized
by electing George Hibner, Of Lincoln
temporary and then permanent chairman,
and after appointing a committee on con-
ference took recess.
The Democrats on reassembling adopt
ed the report of the Credentials Commit
tee and the temporary organization was
made permanent. The Committee on
Resolutions then presented the platform.
1t reaffirms the declaration of the Ma
tional Convention at Kansas City; COM
mends fusion in the election of United
States Senators. members of Congress
and State officers and pledges the nomi-
nees of the convention to an economical
administration of State affairs.
The first note of discord among the
Silver Republicans came when delegate
Ransom offered set of resolutions ap-
proving the reported withdrawal of
Charles A. Towne as a candidate for Vive-
President in favor of Adlai Stevenson
Protests came from all over the hall and
the resolutionss were withdrawn Mr..
Towne, who was present, in short
speech, practically announced his inten-
tion to withdraw but added that he would
take as active a part in the campaign
and work as hard for the success of the
ticket as if he were a candidate. The
resolution as finally adopted indorses
the Kansas City Silver Republican plat
form, and recites that in accordance with
the action taken at that convention the
Free Silver Republican party of Nebras-
ka pledges it's support to w. ]. Bryan and
Adlai E. Stevenson for President and
vice. President None Of the committee
was ready to report when the Populist
Convention reassembled and the selection
of the State Central Committee was ta-
ken.
The convention then listened to speech
es until 10 p. m, when the report of the
Committee on Rules and Order of Bus
mess was presented and adopted. Charles
A. Towne was introduced amid tremen-
dous cheering. Mr.. Towne addressed the
convention for about ten minutes, con-
cluding with an eloquent tribute to Adlai
Stevenson. Just as he concluded w. J.
Bryan entered the building, and for two
minutes the convention was wild with
enthusiasm. When the delegates quieted
down Mr. Bryan said in part:
II believe in this campaign we have
better reason to appeal to the people
of this State than in any other previous
campaign in which we have been en-
gagged. If you will take the platforms
adopted by the parties, you will find that
the Republican platform has nothing in
It which appeals to the people of great
agricultural State like Nebraska. Look
that platform through and you will not
find anything in there that reflects the
interests or aspirations of the people of
this State.
"A distinguished Republican of Nebras-
ka said a short time before the Republi-
can National Convention in 1896 that Ne