The Saint Paul globe., 1900-05-09
POPULISTs AT SIOUX FALLS MAY
NOT NAME A VICE PREsIDEN-
TIAL CANDIDATE
PAST MISTAKES A LESSON
MANY SUGGESTIONS AS TO BEST
POLICY TO PURSUE ARE
BEING PUT FORTH
MR.. ToWNE A FAvoRITE
Vote Taken on Train Is Significant
to That ETect-PrODOsitiOn to
Adjourn to Kansas City
Is Latest.

SIOUX FALLS, S. D., May S-The in
crease of delegates and the approach to
the time Of calling the national Populists
to order served to accentuate the differ
snces Of opinion among the delegates as
to the policy to be pursued with reference
10 the nomination Of a candidate for the
vice presidency. AS time goes on it be
comes more and more evident that this Is
> practically the only question which the
convention will have to decide, and it is
occupying the attention alike Of delegates
and visitors so exclusively as to render
the situation quite monotonous on that
account. There is occasional reference
10 the platform and it is understood that
q few Of the long-headcd leaders have
been drawing up plans and suggesting
propositions for incorporation in the dec
laraton Of principles; but, while this is
true, the great majority Of persons in at
tendance are discussing the vice presiden-
ual problem.
Most Of the delegates in attendance held
4 conferences this afternoon, but none of
them which were not already decided
reached any definite conclusion. The
greatest difference of opinion among the
delegates from states is shown in the Ne
braska Kansas Iowa and Missouri dele
cations. Nebraska delegates feel that
they are in a peculiarly delicate position,
because they are especially anxious to
Bubserve the interests Of Mr.. Bryan. They
held two meetings during the day, but
failed to reach a conclusion, and will
meet again tomorrow morning at o'clock
for further consultation as to what course
to pursue.
MR. BRYANS CHAMPION.
Senator Allen, who may be considered
the leader of the delegation, as he is
also the especial champion of Mr.. Bryan,
is exercising himself especially to secure
that action which will most certainly re-
dound to Bryan's benefit. A majority Of
the delegates from Nebraska are appar-
Emily favorable to the reference of the
whole question to a committee Of one
from each state, to be appointed to con-
Ter with the Democrats at Kansas City,
and it is believed that Senator Allen is in
accord with. this sentiment. In his ex-
hOrtations to the delegation he has dwelt
especially upon the Importance of avoid
Ing the complication which the nominal
ton Of Mr. Watson for vice president
caused in 1898, the inference being that
he believes that any nomination at this
time would be liable to cause a similar
complication in the coming campaign.
In this position Senator Allen is sharp
ly antagonized 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 pres
ent are leading conflicting opinions upon
this aI-absorbing question, and 1t begins
to look as if they would carry their diff
feTences into the convention arena self.
in case they do, the convention erena
will by no means be a monotonous af-
fair. Thomas NJ Patterson, of the CCl-
OradO delegation, is a Jealous supporter OF
the proposition to name a committee of
conference, and not to nominate a vice
presidential candidate He is an expert
enced and tactful parliamentarian, and
will bring much strength 10 that side of
the controversy in case 1t should be open
ed up in the convention.
The Colorado delegation, numbering
thirty-eight members, held a meeting to-
day and unanimously decided to stand out
p for a conference committee.
MR.. TONNES CHANCES.
Senators Butler and Pettigrew are un-
Questionably exerting their utmost en-
deavOrs in behalf of Mr.. Towne and while
they appreciate that there are still many
obstacles to overcome, they express them
selves in private conversation as very Con-
fident of success.
One straw showing the way the wind
blows is found in a vote which was taken
on the special train coming from Omaha
this morning. Two cars, containing six
ty-eight delegates, We're canvassed, and
of the s1xty-eight votes cast fifty-eight
were favorable to TOwne. There is how
ever, among those who believe in the
wisdom of nominating a candidate, som
opposition to Mr. Towne. There is a Ger
tain element, led by Gen Weaver. of
Iowa, which is advocating the nomination
. of straight Populist, while there are
others still who express the opinion that
If candidate ether than a Populist is to
be nominated, he should be man of
Democratic proclivities, so as to MAKE
sure Of his Endorsement by the Democrat
ic convention. In this connection some
of the Illinois delegates have suggested
eX-Vice President AdIai E. Stevenson.
There is also present a gentleman from
New York who is circulating very indus
triously among the delegates in the IN
terest of Mr.. Sulzer. He assures them
that Mr.. Sulzer is in accord with MANY
Of the Populistic views, and eloquent
pleads the cause of his champion The
friends of Mr.. Stevenson call attention to
the fact that he has not only once been
elected vice president, but that he has
also made a record as a greenbacker. Mr..
Towne's supporters meet these arguments
by pointing to his record as a silver ad-
Vocate, and assert that he would make
campaign equal to that Of BRYAN him
self. They are met on this point bv the
argument that the Democrats would new
er accept him as a nominee, because Of
MS Republican proelivities.
OTHER PROPOSITIONS.
Still another proposition, which has
been made and is advocated by DELEGATES
Washburn and Brown, Of Massachusetts
is that the convention should name sew.
eral persons. any one of whom would he
acceptable to the Peoples partv as a
vice presidential candidate, and annoint
committee to confer with the Democrats g
as to which Of them should be placed
upon the ticket. This proposition is an
parently gaining favor, but is not vet &c
strong as either the suggestion in Towne's 6
behalf or the one to avoid any nomination
whatever.
Some Of the delegates, notably those
from Nebraska and Missouri, are ad-
vancing the idea that the convention as
a whole should addourr tp,,,r oy5;o+ -,