Evening journal., 1900-07-09
His Retirement May Follow His Notification by POpuid Com
miIiee...PrOmiS@ Statement and Says His
COuScsE Now Perfectly Clear
Has Talked Matter Over With
POpuIiSt Leaders
TEN DAYS WILL DECIDE 1T
Plan Outlined to Unite the Three
Parties to Support Bryan
and Stevenson

Lincoln, Neb.. July 9.--No formal an
nouncement will be made by Charles
A. Towne OF his decision In regard to
the Populist nomination for the vice
presidency until the Populist commit
tee gives him formal notification OF his
nomination. This will be in about ten
days. Mr.. Towne said yesterday that
he would make public his decision at
that time and would issue an address
giving his reasons for the action he
takes. What that action would be he
refused 70 say.
"But my course is perfectly clear
now" Mr.. Towne added IL have al
ready talked the matter over with sew
eral Of the Populist leaders. The sub
iect will also probably come up. though
In an informal way, at today's meet
ing Of the advisory committees"
Senator J. X. Jones. OF Arkansas.
chairman OF the Democratic national
committee, arrived here from Kansas
City last evening. and later held an ex-
tended conference with w. j. Bryan.
Charles A. Towne and George Fred
Williams. In talking about the vice
presidential situation Senator Jones
said he hoped and believed that in
case Mr.. Towne withdrew his name as
a Populist candidate for the vice presi-
doncy the national committee of that
party would endorse the Democratic
ticket.
I'VE arc all independent" continued
Senator Jones, "and like to carry to a
successful conclusion our own plans.
But this year every ono who 10 not
with the Republican party should be
against them. and I cannot help think
ing that every man who is earnest Ia.
his desire for the success OF William
J. Bryan should unite with us. OF
course If Mr.. Towne does not with
draw fusion on the electoral ticket of
the various states should and prob
ably will be arranged"
During today's conference. at which
Senator Jones, Senator Heitfeld, j. r.
Sovereign, Senator Allen and Chair
man Edmisten. Of the Populist ma
tional committee, are expected to be
present, the vice presidential compli-
cation will be considered in all It's
phases. AT this meeting It is also ex-
pected that plans for concentrated ef-
fort in state and congressional cam
paigns, which were practically agreed
upon at the meeting OF the conference
committees of the Democratic. Silver
Republican and Populist parties in
Kansas City, will be completed. Should
Mr.. Towne decide to withdraw his
name from the Populist ticket this
would leave the way clear fo- uniting
the three parties in the support OF the
Democratic national ticket. ard a
strong effort will be made to bring
about this result through the Populist
national committee. Populist national
committeeman are, Il is understood
far from being unanimous in their
opinions as to the wisest course to
pursue in case Mr. Towne decides to
withdraw but those of the Popuiist
conferrees who are already in the city
expressed their belief today that an
understanding involving the working
in harmony Of the three parties in the
coming presidential campaign would
be reached before the adjournment OF
the conference.
Mr.. Towne spent nearly the entire
day with Mr.. Bryan, taking dinner
with him, and later. in a party which
included ex-Congressman Hartman OF
Montana and George Fred Williams
Of Massachusetts, drove out to Mr..
Bryan's farm.
Elaborate plans are being made for
the ratification meeting to be held
here tomorrow afternoon and night.
and it is the intention to make the af-
fair as far as possible the formal OPEN
ing of the Democratic national cam
paign. William ]. Bryan is expected
to speak briefly. as is also Adlai Ste
venson. George Fred Williams and
Charles A. Towno will also deliver ad-
dresses