The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-20
POPULISTS SPLIT.
Middle of the Readers Call Conve n
ton For May 8.

Lincoln Neb, Feb. 20.-A split and a
Walk-out followed a turbulent meeting of
the Populist national committee last
night, the anti-fusion leaders, after hav-
ing a number of their followers turned
down by the credential committee organ
izing a bolt and forming new commit
tee. The members favorable to fusion, af-
ter adopting the report of the credentials
in all likelihood it will empower the chair
man of a committee of three to call the
national convention for the same city and
at the same time the Democratic conven-
ton is held. CaucuSeS and conferences
among the contending factions betokened
an inharmonious meaplng OF the fuli com
mittee which began at O'Clock IN the
state capitol and the indications that
breakers We're ahead was emphasized ten
minutes after Chairman Butler called the
committee to order and announced that
it would at once go into executive ses-
sion. The differences of the members of
whom there were about eighty present,
but holding proxies for nearly the full
committee hinged primarily on the old
question of fusion The element led by
Senator Allen, with apparently the
strongest following insisted on fusion and
to that end that a committee be appointed
with power to call the convention for the
same day and place as the Democrats.
Sena tor Allen said.
committee meeting this afternoon or rec
ogn1zlng as members OF the Som1mlItee
natl convention that nominated Barker
and Donneily for president and vice presi-
proxies from such men, nor either am
in favor of recognizing any such man who
holds a. proxy. l do not believe the COM
mittee should admit any man who is sup
porting a ticket other than the one to
mittee shall call. The committee shall
throw over the transom every member
who has no right to participate in its de-
nberations and believe it will do it,
]. a. Parker of Ky, replied on behalf
of the middle-of-the-road or anti-fusion
men. The calling of the list of commit
teemen proceeded without incident to the
end when Mr.. Parker asked why the
proxy of Committeeman A. w. Fills. of
been omitted. Robert Schilling, of Wis
consin, said he challenged the right of
of his credentials, who had taken part in
the Cincinnati convention, which nomi-
mated Barker and Donnelly. Chairman
Butler ruled that the whole matter must
go to the committee on credentials and
he thereupon named such committee,
Allen (Nebraska), Weaver Qowa), and
Tracey (Texas), all of the fusion faction
and declared the meeting adjourned amid
the protests of the middle-of-t he-roaders
who denounced his action partisan.
When the committee assembled at S:45
the anti-fusionistS presented the follow
ing proposition:
That the committee recognized only
legal proxies. stamped with revenue
stamps according to law.
THAT the roll of the meeting at Omaha
in 1898 be accepted with the roll of this
committee, except where subsequent state
conventions haveelected new members, ex-
cept that cases of contests shall go be-
fore a committee composed of five mem
bers, two to be selected by the friends of
Butler two by friends of Parker. these
four to select fifth member, and that
| in settling these contests no votes are to
be cast on these cases by either con-
testees or contestants, until all contests
are settled.
.sThis proposition presents fifty-seven
votes in this committee, which is a good
majority of the members in attendance,
| and we demand these propositions in the
name of the honest Populists Of this ma