Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-05-11
POPULISTS TO MEET.
National Convention Ready to Open
at Sioux Falls.
SPECULATION AS TO ITS RESULTS,
Opposition to Towne for Vice Presi-
dent - Forecast of Middle-of-the-
rs Road Convention at Cincinnati
The Illinois Republicans.


Sioux Falls, S. d., May 9.-The in
crease of delegates and the approach
to the time of calling the national
populist convention to order served to
accentuate the differences of opinion
among the delegates as to the policy
to be pursued with reference to the
nomina ton of a candidate for the vice
presidency. As time goes on, it be-
comes more and more definite that
this is practically the only question
which the convention will have to de-
eide, and it is occupying the attention
alike of delegates and visitors SO en-
clusively as to render the situation
quite monotonous on that account.
There is occasional reference to the
PLATFORM and it is understood that a
few of the long-headed leaders have
been drawing up plans and suggesting
propositions for incorporation in the
declaratio of principles; but, while
this is true, the great majority of per
sons in attendance are discussing the
vice presidential problem.
A majority of the delegates from
Nebraska are apparently favorable to
the reference of the whole question to
committee of one from each state
to be appointed to confer with the
democrats at Kansas City, and it is
believed that Senator Allen is in ac-
cord with this sentiment In this po-
tpr &c 4, t,r
onized by Senator Butler, of North
Carolina, and Senator Pettigrew, of
this state. 1t may be said, in fact,
that the United States senators who
are present are leading conflicting
opinions upon this all-absorbing ques-
ton, and it begins to look as if they
would carry their differences into the
convention arena itself. In case they
do, the convention will be by no means
q monotonous affair.
Opposition to Towne.
Butler and Pettigrew are unques-
tionably eXerting their utmost en-
deavors in behalf of Mr. Towne, and
while they appreciate that there are
still many obstacles to overcome, they
express themselves in private CONVEX
sation as very confident of success.
There is, however, among those who
believe in the wisdom of nominating
candidate, some opposition to Mr..
Towne. There is a certain element,
led by Gen. Weaver, of Iowa, which is
advocating the nomination of a
straight populist. while there are 9TH
ers still who express the opinion that,
ii candidate other than a populist
is to be nominated, he should be a
man of democratic proclivities, SO as
to make sure of his endorsement by
the democratic convention. In this
connection some of-Gthe Illinois dele
gatt ees l,f ea suggested ex-Vice -PFesi-
dent Adlai q. Stevenson. There is also
a gentleman from New York who is
circulating very industriously among
the delegates in the interest of Con-
gresham Sulzer. He assures them
that Mr.. Sulzer is in accord with many
of the populist views, and eloouently
pleads the cause of his champion
The friends of Mr.. Stevenson call at
tention to the fact that he has not
only once been elected vice president.
but that he has also made record as
greenbaclSer. Mr.. Towne's support.
ers meet these arguments by pointing
to his record as silver advocate. and
assert that he would make campaign
equal to that of Bryan himself. They
are met on this point by the argument
that the democrats would never ac-
cept him as nominee because of his
republican proclivities..
The Temporary Organization.
The national committee met Tues
day night and after brief session
decided that P. NJ Kingdell, of Min
nesota, should act as temporary chair
man of the convention; r. Z. Bray. of
Oklahoma, as secretary. and Eugene
Smith, of Illinois, and Leo Vincent. OF
Colorado, as assistant secretaries. The
committee then went over the lists
of the state delegates which had been
submitted to Secretary Edgerton, of
the national committee, and raised in
several instances the number of dele
gates allowed. The most notable in
crease was in the case of California.
where ten additional delegates were
allowed. The total number of dele
gates in the convention was raised by
the action of the committee from 900
to 1000.
h' Il