Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-07-13
PLANS OF POPULIS1,S.
CONSIDERING VICE PRESl-
DENTAL SITUATION.
Conference OF Silver Republicans, Popu.
lists and Democrats-Mr. Towne May
Goes to Confer with Mr.. Bryan.

| Practical fusion between the Demo-
cratic and Populist parties on the
Presidential ticket has been decided
upon by the Populist National com
mittee. Unless present plans are
changed, however, the Democratic vice
presidential candidate will not be in
dorsed, whether or not Charles A.
Towne decides to withdraw his name
as the candidate of the Populist party,
large detection to the middle-of- the
road Populists.
Through their committees the Silver
Republicans, Populists and Democrats
held conference in Kansas City after
the convention adjourned regarding
the plans for joint campaign and uni
form ticket.
The Populists say they are power
less to substitute Stevenson for Towne
even if the latter should withdraw
from the ticket As compromise the
vice presidential place on the Populist
ticket may not be filed. Towne was
nominated for the place but has never
officially accepted it. 1t was thought
that his selection by the Silver Repub-
licans and Populists would force his
nomination on the Democrats.
Senator b. r. Tillman of South Car
DINA offered motion at the confer
ence that joint advisory campaign
committee be appointed to represent
the three parties.
1t was determined that addresses in
the interest of the Bryan and Steven
son ticket should be issued very soon
by the Democratic and Silver Repub-
lican parties, to be followed later by
an address from the Populist party
when it was ready to act. Chairman
Jones said that everything was work
ing toward harmonious action by all
of the reform forces, and the indica-
tions were that all parties would be
pulling together for the Bryan and
Stevenson ticket.
Mr.. Towne went to Lincoln for a
conference with Mr.. Bryan. The
whole situation will be thoroughly dis
cussed and upon Mr.. Bryan's views up
on the matter will depend in large
measure Mr.. Towne's decision in regard
to the Vice Presidency. He will not
announce his decision until he has also
had conferences with other leaders in
both the Democratic and Populist part
les and until he does communicate
with the Populist national committee
that body will take no further action.
| r >,x,ith Il
his name as the vice presidential can
didate of the Populist party, the ma
tional committee may select another
candidate. The sentiment apparently
is against the Endorsement of Mr.. Stew
EDISON on account of the peculiar con-
litions existing in several of the West
ern states, notably Kansas, Nebraska
and South Dakota, where the Populist
vote is larger than the Democratic
and where the Populist leaders fear
the straight Endorsement of the Demo-
cratic ticket would jeopardize the sue
cess of the ticket.
But the parties will work together
in this way: In the states where the
Populist strength is the greater, the
understanding will be that the electors
on both tickets will favor Bryan aud
Towne. This will apply especially to
the Western states. In the Southern
states and in other sections where the
Populists themselves admit their party
is distasteful to the Democrats the
electoral tickets will be for Bryan and
Stevenson.
In the electoral college, according to
the general plan as outlined, it is the
intent on to unite the vote, probably
on Mr.. Stevenson. This general plan
was outlined at the meeting of the Pop
ulist national committee, which was
held at the close of the meeting be-
tween the conference committees OF
the Democratic, Populist and Silver
Republican parties.