Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-17
POPUllSTS ALL AT SEA
Fusionists and Mid-Roaders Wide Apart in
Their Views.
Great Interest Being Manifested in
the Meeting of the National
Committee Monday.



LINCOLN, Neb February 15 1900.
The national committee of the populist
/ party will meet in this city February 10.
Party leaders are making great prepara-
lions for the event There is great scram-
Bile among members of the committee for
proxies. as it is understood the PARKWAY
members will not attend the meeting. The
leaders however, will be here. Senator AL
len will arrive Sunday. Senator Marion
Butler. chairman of the committee. will be
present. will also several other party
leaders.
No two men agree In their forecasts of the
action of the committee, yet all concur in
the prediction that the fusion faction will
control it. In other words the leaders who
have controlling voice in the national
council of the populist party have placed
themselves at the service of W. ]. Bryan.
and will shape the policy of the populist
party in strict accordance with the wishes
Of Mr.. Bryan and his democratic associates.
The faction which is strenuousy demand
Ing that only populist shall be named for
Vice President, and that the democratic ma
tional convention shall leave that place
open so the popu1ists may fill it, is sure to
be heard from. not only at the Lincoln
meeting. but at the national convention as
well. 1t is understood in popuistic circles
here that the fusion members, well as
tIc Ilu-TCS1u members are prdctlCdl-
ly unit on this point. They are deter
mined there shall be Watson-Sewall
handicap as that which characterized
the campaign of 1896. A private letter
received here says that this was the subject
Of the conference between Mr.. Bryan and
Senators Butler and Allen in Washington
Saturday, when it was given out that Sem
ator Allen would be empowered to make
pledge to the committee upon his arrival at
Lincoln which would be entirely satisfac-
tory to them. This assurance will prove
sufficient to quiet the nerves of the mem
berS favorable to fusion on the national
ticket. but 1t is said here that the mid
readers will demand pledge from the ma
tional democratic committee, irrespective of
any assurance made in the name of Mr.
Bryan.
Mfd-ROaders in Minority.
The mid-road faction will be in the minor
ity but there Is no doubt its leather lungs
will be given plenty of exercise. They pro-
pose to lay down an ultimatum. that If the
national populist convention is expected by
the democrats to indorse the nominee Of the
national democratic convention with respect
TO nrst place on the ticket, then and in that
case the democrats must consent to indorse
the populist nominee for Vice President.
Nobody in these parts, however, is informed
as to whom the populiStS will nominate
Some of them say that the choice will be
made at conference of the executive COM
mlttee of both the democratic and populist
national committees, which choice must be
ratified by Mr. Bryan before the name is
given to the public.
There is considerable gossip here con-
corning the platform which the populists
Will formulate under the fusion plan. The
fusion members of the committee will urge
that the party in convention assembled
must adopt a platform carrying Simon
pure populistic doctrine especially reaffirm-
ing the party faith in the wisdom of the
Tree and unlimited coinage of silver at the
ratio of 16 to l without the aid or consent
or any other nation. This faction will not,
however, oppose Mr.. Bryan's position with
respect to militarism and so-called expan-
sion On other vital issues the fusion popu-
lists will concur with Mr.. Bryan's plat
form pledges as far as they can at this
time be foreseen. The mid-roaders will in
sist on free coinage and expansion. In this
resolve they claim to be voicing the senti-
ments of the populists of the southern
states as well as of those of the midwest
states.
FusiOnists May Bolt.
AT the meeting Monday this faction will
make special plea in behalf of the policy
of expansion, claiming that In so doing it
is defending the interests of the popuIists
east, west and south. They expect, how
ever, to be turned down in committee, but
propose to carry their cause into the ma
tional convention and there demand a re-
spectful hearing. Failing in that they con-
template a bolt, yet such action has not
yet been agreed upon. They are getting all
south and far west this issue alone.
The outcome will be watched with great in
terest.
The committee will decide upon a place of
meeting of the national convention. Today
the choice stands between Kansas City and
Milwaukee, with chances in favor of the
Missouri town. The date will be decided on
with reference to the date of the demo-
cratic convention, both of which will be
comparatively early. 1t is said. The ques-
tfon or proportlonate representation in the
national convention will call for some con-
sideration. as will also the means of raising
funds. This latter subject is a matter of
grave concern to the populists. Money is
plentiful and business is good, and these
are the conditions which superinduce apa-
thy upon the part of the faithful.
This meeting will be very important to
the destinies Of the two parties. Mr.. Bryan
has appealed to the leaders to urge large
attendance. A little mistake would prove
annoying and might result in the loss of
Nebraska and two three other western
states to the electoral college.