The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1900-01-04
OUR NATIONAL CONVENTION.

=
1t looks as if our Populist national
convention was about to meet this year
under circumstances very different from
those which prevailed in 1896. The
Minneapolis Journal (Rep.) of Jan. 1,
1900, has this to say:
Replies that are being received by Chair
man Butler to his tentative inquiries ad-
dressed to the Populist national committee
men regarding the proper course for the
Popullst party to pursue next year, are be-
lieved to point to the existence of a strong
and widespread sentiment. against fusion.
The Texas stat4unpmmittee has declared
strongly against. mission and also against
Bryan.
"Our peerless leaders, training with Tam
many in New York and Goebel in Kentucky
is more than Texas Populists can stand"
Texans say. The attitude of the Texans is
lot important per Sc, because OF the large
Democratic vote in that state, but it is
important as indicating the general party
drift.
Unless Populism Is entirely dead. we'll
informed politicians believe that under the
realignment that has occurred since 1896,
that party holds the balance of power in
Indiana. This being true, if the Democratic
party is to carry Indiana next year, it must
have fusion. Indiana POpulists however
are said to be strongly in favor of going it
alone.
It Is not known, of course, what attitude
will be taken by the PopuI5st organization
in other states, though it is believed that
the action OF Texans and Indanians will be
followed. It is not believed that Butler
even II he were SO inclined, could check the
stampede. Indeed, there are many who be-
lieve that he is ambitions to lead his party
In an Independent fight next year, not 50
much with the view of in1icting injury
upon the Democratic cause, as with the view
OF Strengthening his chances of reelection
by etfecting deal with the Democrats in
North Carolina, whereby the Populist presi-
Dental votes are to be traded for the Dem
ocratic legislative vote. An arrangement of
this sort. it is thought, is absolutely neces-
sary to the election of a legislature in North
Carolina that will re-elect Butler in 1901
At the same time it is feared that, what
ever deal OF this kind Butler may be using
MS power as chairman of the Populist ma
tlonal committee to make, will cause en-
to the Democratic organization
IN general and to Bryan in particular It is |
held that if Bryan is to be fought by the
Pcpuiists simply because he has given his |
approval to party regularity by indorsinr
Tammany in New York and Goebel in Ken
lucky. there can be no common ground Of
action TOT the Democrats and Populists this I
year with the Nebraskan as leader. This |
leads political prognosticators to two wavs
out OF the dimculty-one is for the Demo- I
cratic managers to boldly proclaim their IN I
dependence Of the Popuiists and renominate
Bryan; the other is to take BRYAN at his (
word, and, il q better man can be fo,r,d in
rust the party leadership to new hands in /
$780, -
The Texas PopHlists made hard f;xht I
N 1885 against fusion; in fact. it looked I
1t one time, in our national convention +
ls II they would come to blows-it was
wen rumored that revolvers were drawn
~ some OF the more desperate. ones. (
fhfs feeling was intensified by the fool I
sh and illegal course of the Texas DEM
'crats. Although the Populists Of the
whole country we're generally support
ng the Democratic candidate for the
sideney-Bryan-the Democrats of
Texas. being in q majority, refused to
'xtend the slightest recognition to the
'opulists of Texas They had no mag
lanimity-they were hoggish. They were
eady to take possession of the nation
y the Peoples party votes, but they
would not give the Populists of Texas
he most petty Office. They were in ia
or of fusion where they were in the
but where they were in the
aajority they would have none of it.
Mr.. Bryan could have stopped this
ut he would not. His course in throw
ng our nomination OF himself in our
aces unless We also Endorsed the min
ompoop Democratic candidate for the
ice-presidency, showed where he stood.
aeither his head nor his heart was
road enough for the great emergency.
lie lost his election because of his con-
smpt for the Populists. He spent his
Ime and breath canvassing New York ,
nd New England. where he has as |
luch chance of suctess as he had Of
Ding to heaven in 4 hand basket, and
eglected the Dakot4s and the Pacific
Eates, which he might easily have ear