The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-01
POWNG AGAIN At LINCOLN
Holds Conference With the
FuSi0nist Leaders.
StiTI Anxious to Decline the Nominn-
ton for Vice President. but Unde-
of success I'm the Western States
other Callers on MIR. Bryan.

other Callers on MIR. Bryan.
LINCOLN. Neb.. July S1.-Charles A.
Towne and Mr.. Bryan had busy day of 1t.
Mr Towne arrived in Lincoln at an early
hour this morning and as soon as he could
break through the Gordon of reporters
went to Mr.. Bryan's house. This afternoon
he was cioseted for another two hours
with Mr.. Bryan. and afterward met with
the executive committees of the Demo
cratic and Populist State Central Com
mittees.
Mr.. Towne came to this city. it seems. at
the invitation of Senator AHen, Of the
Fusion Campaign Committee. Mr.. TowDe
is just as anxious as ever, although not
quite so determined, to decline the Fusion
ist nomination for Vice President. The
majority Of the Fuslonists and Democratic
leaders agree that that is the proper thing
to DO. When he first indicated an inten-
tion to decline the Fusionists of Kansas.
Nebraska snd the Dakotas entered very
strong protests. They said it was certain
TO strengthen the Mid-roader movement.
Since then Kansas has succeeded in get
ting rid Of all her Mid-roaders and Neb-
raska is now the only objector.
1t was in order to have Mr. Towne hear
the reports from Nebraska counties and to
listen TO what the leaders in Nebraska had
to, say about his declinatiOn that Mr..
Towne was invited here. Mr.. Towne was
SO busy with Mr. Bryan. however. after
the leaders got together that he had very
little time to spend with the committee, as
he was in hurry to get to Chicago.
Mr. Towne was on his way back from
Nevada, where he delivered series of ten
speeches in advocacy of fusion between
the Democrats and the Silver Republicans.
According TO Mr.. Towne the Silver Re-
publicans. with the aid of the Southern
Pacific, got up such a GOODNESS between the
erstwiine members Of the Fusion alliance
that .or time it looked as though fusion
was at an end. Representative Newlands
wants 10 be Senator. and it was to aid him
that Towne went to Nevada. He says sue
cess has crowned ell his efforts.
From here Mr.. Towne went direct to
Chicago to take part in conference be-
fuil-aeeged Democrat and makes no secret
of the fact. He has offered his services to
the Democratic National Campaign Com
mittee for the entire campaign, in support
of Bryan and Stevenson. and the fear of
the ridicule that would be hurled at him
If he. the Vice Presidential nominee OF
the Fusiorists, would be advocating the
election of the Democratic national ticket
is the most potent force in inducing his
declination.
Mr.. Towne has become a great favorite
in the West as a campaign speaker. and
he has applications for more than a hun
dred speeches for different sections. He
said be expected TO be sent to the strong
Populist States Of the West. but hoped for
a chance to talk to Eastern Democrats be-
fore the election. He expressed the ut
mcst confidence that Mr.. Bryan would be
elected. II was in the air. he said: the
trend everywhere he had been WAS toward
Democracy
Mr.. Bryan has about finished the re-
vision Of his Indianapolis notification
speech, and has been doing little desul-
tory work en- the letter OF acceptance that
will follow. Mr.. Towne's visit prevented
him from doing much todzy. Neither gem
tlernan would tell what was talked about
but the interview was said to be very
pleasant and agreeable. Mr.. Towne left
the city in such haste that it Is believed
he has been given some mission to perform
in Chicago.
Mr. Towne. by the way. will be one of
Bryan's Cabinet il Mr.. Bryan is elected.
AT least that is the belief tenaciously held
by the Democrats in this section. No pub
lie man in the West is closer to Bryan
than IS Towne. and their temperaments
tastes, and ideas agree so well that Towne
is generally picked for Cabinet portfolio
He was very anxious to be Mr.. Bryan's
ruSning mate, but took his defeat at Kan
sas City so gracefully aad has behaved so
aIniably ever since, especially in the mat
ter Of offering TO withdraw at any time,
that he can have almost anything he de-
slres II the battle is won
Judge Brown. Of Wauseon, Ohio, who
was temporary CHAIRMAN CT the Free Silver
Republican National Convention at Kansas
City, was caller upon Mr.. Bryan this
afternoon. The Judge assured Mr.. Bryan
that he had an excellent chance to carry
Ohio. He thought that the labor vote,
which was represented by the candidacy of
Jones for Governor last year. was certain
TO go almost solidly for Bryan, while the
imperialism sentiment and the Internal
revenue exactions OF the Dingley law would
be responsible for landslide from Me-
Kiniey among the German voters. He came
TO urge Mr.. Bryan to speak there after his
Indianapolis engagement. He believed a
few speeehes following the notification
would give the Democratic campaign an
impetus that would mean certain victory.
Surveyor General E. R. Corser. of Min
nesota, spent an hour with Mr.. Bryan.
Mr.. Corser was not inclined to be very
optimistic. but thought Minnesota could
be safely counted in the Bryan column.
The verdict In 1896 had been very strong
the other way, but two years ago Lind
was elected Governor by a very large
majority. ssilitarism is given credit for
effecting a great change among the large
foreign-born population OF Minnesota
The Fusion leaders at the conclusion OF
their conference were very emphatic in
the expression OF the belief that there was
not the least doubt about Nebraska being
for Bryan. Every report indicated : they
said. greater strength than ever
Mr.. Bryan was in attendance at the con-
ference for considerable portion of it,