Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-15
TWELVE PAGES.
TUESDAY, MAY Is. 1900.
NO COMBINA TON TICKET.

The nomination of Hon. Charles a.
Jowne for Vice President by the Popu-
lists has put many rumors current. 1t
IS asserted that Mr.. Towne will with
draw ii Mr.. Bryan does not approve of
him as running mate or If his candi
dacy shall fail of n cordial endorse
ment by the National Democratic Con-
venton; it is also asserted that Mr..
Bryan thinks Towne is MOI available
and that his candidacy is viewed with
open dislike by Democratic leaders.
The question for the Kansas City
Convention to settle finally is whether
or not the time is not ripe for cutting
loose from other political parties in it's
national campaigns. A very superficial
knowledge of the political history OF
this country, and of human nature,
ought to show concluslvely that no
fusion" ticket can wiz in national
campaign no ticket half Democrat
and half Populist or Republican can
command the support of n majority of
the American people, and 1t is by no
means certain that 1t ought to.
Efficient government in these United
States. under the existing conditions, is
to be had only through one responsible
political party. committed to definite
principles by a platform declaration
and sufficiently az one with itself to
assure government in accordance with
those principles. 1t is only in this way
the citizen can, with any degree of
certainty. make his Individual will felt
as factor in government. and he may
very we'll be hardened for looking
askance at any fusion" or compromise
that tends to n division of RESPONSE
blity. and that makes possible grave
confusion and uncertainty in the ad-
ministration of the government
Americans are essentially robust par
tisans. They do not admire a mug
wump. They have neither faith in nor
admiration for that pratlng OF the
supremacy of measures" which would
sacrifice party integrity to a mistaken
and maudln desire to proDitiata mon
of another marty by too ostentatious
generosity in the division of political
spolls. They may wink at a little party
trading in local elections, wherein the
personality of the candidate is largely
the dominant element, but they have
no patience with huckstering the office
of President or Vice President of the
United States. They have resented,
uniformly and effectively. and Will re-
sent any such transaction as deroga-
tory of the dignity OF the Chief Magis-
tracy and OF the nation. Any political
party that INDUCES in such an arrange
ment invites certain disaster.
Let the Kansas City Convention.
therefore. not daily with the name of
Hon. Charles a. Towne. Mr.. rowne is
an able and an estimab,c man-and 81
Republican. On the face OF it, a Re-
publican with the Populist water
mark is not desirable timber for tho
making of Il Democratic candidate.
Such a oandida.e Will a.lenntc thous
ands NJ Democrats: he VIII not draw
from his former party. whose MEM
bers will regard him as n traitor. and
he will be distas;eful to the large in
dependent vote that often brings VIC
tory or defeat in national elections.
Should Mr. Towne be nominated with
Mr.. BRYAN. and should the Democrats
WIN. Mr.. Towne might Income Prcsi-
dent. In that event the Democratic
party would find Itself responsible for
the government of the nation, and yet
with President on its hands with
whom 1t agreed only On single Issue,
and that one removed from the sphere
Of possible legislation for the whole OF