The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-08
The Boom for Donnelly Causing Sur
prise, Because Barker Was Sup
posed to Have a Clear Field.
BRYANITEs AT SIOUX FALLS
FUSION POPULIsTS ALSO TO HOLD
CONVENTION THIS WEEK.
Interviews with Senator Butler and
Secretary Edgerton, Two Leaders
Of the Democratic Annex.

CINCINNATI. May 1.-TWO presidential
candidates are talked Of by the leading
Populists gathering in Cincinnati tonight
for the national convention of the middle
of the readers" They are Ignatius Don
nelly, of Minnesota, and Wharton Barker.
of Pennsylvania
Everything is in readiness for the fall of
Chairman Deber's gavel, which will can
to order the convention of the ''middle-of-
the-road Populists" at Robinson's opera
House on Wednesday afternoon. Only
few dozen delegates have so far put in an
appearance, but their enthusiasm more
than made up for their scantness In num-
bers. The Texas delegation, which will be
the largest in attendance. did not arrive
this evening as was expected. The speciai
train on which they are coming to this
city was delayed several hours by a rail-
road wreck south of st. Louis and 1t is now
believed that they will not arrive until
tomorrow morning. Prominent among the
delegates who were grouped about the hotel
corridors to-day was Mrs. Luna E. Kelli,
of Hartwell, Neb., aditress OF Populist
prairie publication.
Ignatius Donnelly arrived early this
evening and went to the Dennison Hotel
where he was soon surrounded by a group
of admirers. Something of a sensation was
sprung shortly afterward. 1t became known
that a definite movement was to place
Mr.. Donnelly before the convention as
presidential nominee instead of giving him
second position on the ticket headed by
Wharton Barker, of Pennsylvania. Mr..
Donnelly had only this to say: You know
that never have been accused of pushing
myself. am in favor of the greatest good
for the greatest number of the people.
Whatever the convention sees fit
to do in the matter will be
perfectly satisfactory to me.
think we should stick to our motto Mid
die of the road These side issues have
wrecked the prospects Of many bright poll
ticans. For instance, the silver question
which, without doubt, is Of vital interest
to every person in this world, has been
cleverly sidetracked and Mr.. Bryan has
been shunted off into the issues Of the late
war with Spain. believe this convention
will reafirm the Omaha declaration of
principles with. perhaps. a few added
pianks on the new questions"
delegates had almost decided to bolt the
Wharton Barker faction and nominate Mr..
ponnelly for President, the latter gentle
man had little or nothing to say. On the
fusion question. however, he was extreme
ly emphatic. declaring that fusion was a
thing that he hated beyond all others, and
he declared there will be no fusion with
the Social Labor party if he can do any
thing to prevent it.
General Wharton Barker is scheduled
to arrive here tomorrow from Phila-
delphia. His son. Redmon Barker, arrived
to-day and has been busy denying the re-
ports that the Barker men would bolt If
General Barker was not nominated. About
one fourth of the 975 delegates are in
structed for Barker. Then 1t is claimed by
some that Barker and Donnelly have been
nominated on the Initiative and referen-
dunn plan" They were nominated at the
convention here two years ago so far as
'the initiative is concerned, but it is
stated that "the referendum" returns were
incomplete and unreliable. There is op-
position to Barker in the West and it is
said the reports about bolting were started
In Western States to hurt Barker. Eugene
the other names mentioned to head the
ticket are Jerome Kirley. Of Texas; ex-
Congressman Howard, of Alabama, and
Col. Frank Burkett, of Mississippi.
Among the lobby orators tonight was
w. s. Morgan, better known as '"Tobe
Spilkins OF Bony Fork"
Members of the reception committee meet
delegates at the depot, but they have no
music anywhere. The national executive
committee had an executive session to-day.
The delegates here spent the time in in
formal conference. Even the business of
the National Reform Press Association was
informal. The present officers are: Presi-
dent. Frank Burkett, OF Mississippi vice
president. Paul Dickson. Charlotte. No.;
secretary and treasurer. ]. A. Parker, of
Louisville. They expect to make a change
tomorrow In the list of officers. There are
very many publishers of Populist weekly
papers present. The line is drawn in favor
OF the middle-of-the-roaders on member
ships as we'll as for Offices. 1t is expected
that much literature will be circulated
against fusion.
editor of The Prairie Home. is here as a
delegate to the reform press association
as well as delegate TO the national conyen-
tion. Her husband Is farmer and is also
a delegate. He carries their babe most of
the time. while Mrs. Keili participates
actively in the body decisions. She is
among those favoring a universal suffrage
plank. The women. who are present, are
pressing such resolution with all their
might.
Bryan at q Dollar Dinner.