The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-08
POPULISTS
ARE DIVIDED.
Delegates to the Convention at
Sioux Falls
Are Not in Agreement Over the
Vice Presidency.
MANY ARE FOR TOWNE.
Col. Bryan Himself Said to Favor
tho Minnesota Man.
Strong Sentiment in Favor Max
ing No Nomination.

Sioux Falls, S. D., May S.-There were
probably 300 delegates to the Populist
convention here at noon today. The
Cataract house is the headquarters of
the national committee and is naturally
the center of interest. All the leading
representatives have been busy during
the day in discussing the policies to be
pursued in the convention. All interest
centers upon the nomination of vice
president but it can not be said there is
any crystallized suggestion as to the
most desirable plan to pursue. There
has been a hint that General Weaver
may be named for this place; the name
of DR.. Taylor of Chicago is occasionally
mentioned and today'S arrival brought
the suggestion of the name of E. Gary
Brown of Massachusetts. So far, how
ever, as individuals are concerned, there
is still more talk of Mr.. Towne, silver
Republican, than of any one else. But
upon the whole delegates who have ar
rived seem inclined to favor the plan
of making no nomination for vice preS1-
dent, leaving the matter of deciding
upon a candidate to a committee to be
appointed to confer with the Demo-
Gratis and silver Republicans. The Colo
rado delegation led by T. NJ. Patterson
is strongly pressing this later course as
the WiSest, and Kansas and Nebraska
are apparently inclined to second the
suggestion. The plan also has advocates
from 16AdS- All LOlC, l1ilS pOllCy Is Ger
tainly now the strongest suggested. 1t
is stated by those who have good oppor-
tunities of knowing that the plan orig
mated with Mr.. Bryan himself. This
circumstance would of course account
for the strength of the movement.
The Nebraska delegation which came
in at 9 o'clock this morning was ac-
cOmpanied on it's special train by the
Colorado delegation and parts of the
Kansas, Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma and
Missouri delegations. The train carried
about 250 delegates All of them came
direct from the Omaha banquet which
they pronounce one of the greatest sue
cesses of its kind on record Among the
leaders who have arrived are: T. M.
Patterson of Colorado, John w. Breid-
enthal of Kansas, who is slated for the
Populist nomination for governor; POyn-
ter and Chairman J.. H. Edmiston of
Nebraska, J. H. (Cyclone) Davis and
Chairman ]. s. Bradley of Texas and
E. G. Brown of Massach achusetts.
The national committee will meet to-
night for the purpose of selecting a
temporary chairman and temporary
secretary and preparing a temporary
roll Of delegates. There has been some
talk to the effect that the committee
would take official cognizance of the
| Cincinnati bolt, but Chairman Butler
says now he will make no reference to
this bolt in his introductory speech to
the convention. and it will then re-
main with the convention to decide
~
be given it. Chairman Bradley, of the
Texas delegation, says that a mistaken
| idea has been gained concerning the at
| titude of that state towards the Gin
cinnati meeting. He declares that a
majority of the Texas Populists favor
| the regular organization and will be
represented here.
The Nebraska delegation met today
ard elected Governor w. H. Poynter
| as chairman. United States Senator
| Allen made an address urging the i'm
| portance of wise action upon the vice
| presidency and saying that the sup
| porters of Mr.. Bryan could not afford
! to have two vice presidential candi-
! dates in the field as in 1896. Action on
| this point was postponed.
A number of the national delegates
have attended the South Dakota Pop
ulist convention which is in session at
| Canton. Senator Allen, Congressman
| Sutherland and Captain Lloyd, the lat
| ter of North Carolina, made speeches at
that convention last night, and they
were literally applauded.