New-York tribune., 1900-05-07
TWO POPULIST CONVENTIONS
lDDLE-OF-THE-ROAD MEN TO MEET
THIS WEEK IN CINCINNATI AND
FUS1ONISTS TO ASSEMBLE
AT SIOUX FALLS

AT SIOUX FALLS
Cincinnati, May 6.-The advance workers for the
National Convention of the Middle-of the Road
opuiis's' winch meets here Wednesday,
'u 'o-ua!' They are all opposed to fusion.
Joseph A Parker. secretary of the National Com
hittee or the Middle the Readers who has been
mere Tor several weeks arranging for the
tioh' was joined by many others to-day. They say
'hey represent a large majority the Peoples
party that In the contests at State conventions
'he SIOUX Falls fusonists carried less than three
huhured or the SI5 delegates, and that the
ton at Sioux Falls this week will be one of ex-
cnrsionists with minority of delegates they
assert that over two-thirds of the delegates
instructed by their States for the Cincinnati con-
Fention. which will keep in the middle OF the
road They also claim that their call is in accord
win the Omaha rule of 1892 excluding all office
holders. and charge that the Sioux Falls conven-
ton Is in charge of Senators Butler Allen and
Pettigrew and other officeholders the the
Republican and Democratic conventions.
AT Robinson's Opera House. where the convention
VIII be held. across the front of the stage is
large streamer with quotation from Senator
Allen. reading I'VE have thrown them the
transom."
When the Fusionists and the Middle of the
Roaders split at the meeting OF their National
mittee in Lincoln last February, Senator Allison
said TO have used this language and the Middle-of-
the-Roaders said TO have replied: Yes, and
you have thrown the party over the transom
with us"
There also inscriptions referring to Senator
Butler. chairman of their National Committee and
other leaders who favor fusion. Among the In
scriptions many large pictures of "a hand"
pointing 10 the middle of the road the only
way tflat leads TO the New Jerusalem of the peo-
pie The badges all characteristic of the Middle
of-the-Roaders. and the tickets of admission are
unique These tickets bear the portraits Jeffer-
son and Lincoln. Under the portrait of jefferson
are the words Equal rights for all; special priv
1leges for none. Under the portrait of Lincoln are
the words: "A government of the people, for the
people and by the people" At the top the ticket
is the inscription: Keep in the middle OF the
road, and at the bottom of the ticket is a quota
ton from the Omaha platform: Wealth belongs
to him who creates it,.
Secretary Parker said to-day:
1t is well recognized by all persons. whether they
are Populists not. that the Cincinnati converi-
equally well known that the Sioux Falls conven-
1ion Is simply an adjunct to the Democratic party
lists in every section repudiated the cali for
t ohe latter convention and have ndorsed the Gin
The Sioux Falls convention cannot deliver a vote
PemocTate nominee Any action that tn the SIOUX
Bryan and gGe s sy 5aKe viii III only
party chance TO hammer him. He would be
than as fusion candidate, and if the leaders of
me Sioux Falls convention We're really for Bryan
Gomplish his election They would openly join the
they are not as much for Bryan 's as heH aT
Tor themselves, and they are working the fusion
the 3 dhsT gets dses eS 5d
ana expect to hold than for any love Of Bryan.
FUSIONISTS AT SIOUX FALLS.
Sioux Falls, S. d. May s.-The city is rapidly
filling with the advance guard of the National
Popust Convention. The city is gayy decorated
with bunting. flags. streamers and portraits of
favorite leaders. 4 huge wigwam with seating
capacity of 1900 has been erected and several
large halls have been arranged for committee
headquarters.
Information received from various parts of the
country leads to the belief that the
reach from 1900 to 10000 General Weaver will
head the big Iowa delegation. Minnesota will send
a trainload advocating the nomination of Charles
A. Towne for NicePresfdent. The New-Yor1 m
tingent Is coming ready to work for Congressman
Suzer. and Illinois will demand City Prosecutor
H S. Taylor, Of Chicago. 1t is conceded that
Bryan will be nominated for President.
The great contest Of the convention will be over
the selection Will be left committee which will
confer with similar committee appointed by the
Democratic Convention at Kansas City. The real
work or the convention VIII begin on Tuesday.
In the evening the National Committee will meet
10 decide upon the temporary organization of the
convention. The name most often mentioned for
temporary chairman is James H. Davis of Texas
George +. Washburn. of Boston, is also mentioned.
Senator Harris. of Kansas, IS prominently spoken
The convention will be called TO order by Chair
man Butler at o'clock Wednesday. 1t is
committee conference work until Thursday. and
possibly Friday, and 1t is not thought that nomi
nations will be made before Friday.
Chicago. May 6-General James B. Weaver, Of
Iowa. was in Chicago to-day on his way to Sioux
Falls. to attend the National Popust Convention.
Asked about the statement attributed to him while
Indianapolis recently, that. in of the cleo
ton of Mr. Bryan. he expected Cabinet portfolio,
he SAID he had never made such Statement-that
the report was absurd.