The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-07-23
POLITICAL NOTES AND GOSSIP.

Towne VIII stick.-The announce
merit from the West that IL has been def
nitely decided not to withdraw the Hen.
Charles A. Towne from the Fusion Popu-
list ;icket as the candidate for Vice Presi-
dent comes as distinct disappointment 70
leading Democrats in Washington. The re
ten:ion OF Mr. Towne on the ticket is
viewe1 as significant emily as il indicates
probably a too stubborn unwillingness on
the pant OF the Fusion Populists in three
or four of the close States of-the West
heartily to cooperate with the Democrats.
II is known that Mr. Towne's attitude Is
entirely in accord with the Democratic
wish that he withdraw. From the first he
has never made a secret Of this. He is
aetuated by an earnest desire to defeat Mr.
Mckinley, and is wiling to make any sac
Tihce to this end. But il appears that the
Fusion Populist managers in Nebraska,
Kansas, and the two Dakotas are insist
ent upon his staying on the ticket for pUr-
poses of their own In those States local
tickets have been nominated on the Sioux
Falls Platform, and the withdrawal OF Mr.
Towne would endanger the prospects Of
hosts OF palpitating patriots who are anX>
lOus 10 serve their country in various ca
pacities, running all the way from United
States Senator down to precinct consJa-
bic. Il has never been satisfactorily deter
mined as to what effect the dOuble-tan
ticket had on the electoral vote in 1886
and for this reason il is impossible 10 pre-
dict what influence the same arrangement
viii have this year. \ little more than
half Of the candidates for elector
in the four States named are Populists.
If. therefore. Mr.. Bryan should be elected
by a narrow margin there would be great
uncertainty in the Electoral College over
the Vice Presidency. OF this Office in such
circumstances the Populists would hold the
balance OF power and the ensuing confu-
sion would be novel and annoying. with the
possibly ultimate result of throwing the
Vice Presidency to the Republicans. But
at present. Of course, this phase Of the
question is purely academic The phase of
real and immediate Importance is that the
Populist stubbornness on the point of the
Vice Presidency indicates something re-
mote from that spirit OF harmony among
the allied forces Of reform which is essen
tial TO the election of Mr.. Bryan. In Idaho
there is an outcropping Of the same indis-
position. The PopUlists in that State ap-
pear 10 have made demands with which the
Democrats could not comply and as a con-
sequence there is a division which may
save to the Republicans vote in the Sen
ate by the return to Washington of Sena-
tor Shoup. The fear is expressed that the
muss being kicked up by the Populists in
this group Of close States in the West may
spread until 1t has a damaging effect in
other States where there are narrow mar
gins between the Republicans and Demo-
Gratis, and that by this means sufficient
strength Will be given 10 the farcicaI
movement led by Barker and DonneIIy TO
cut a big figure in the campaign. Then,
too there is Debs. with his Social Demo-
crazy fOOIishness- Debs refuses TO with
draw. and IL is thought that he viii get just
enough votes in the large centres Of Illi-
nos. Indiana, and Ohio to materially aid
the Hanna ticket Altogether il seems
that il the shrewd Mr. Hanna be not per-
sonally responsible for some things that are
now doing he certainly should feel
grateful TO whoever is respOnsibIe.