The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-07
Gen. Weaver Denies Interview Con-
cerning Himself and a Portfolio in
Mr.. Bryan's Cabinet.
DEMOCRATS AT KANSAS CITY
COMMITTEE LOOKS OVER GROUND
AND DISCUSSES PROSPECTS.
Illinois Republican Convention Will
Meet at Peoria Tuesday-GOssip
Concerning the Candidates.

CINCINNATI, May 6.-The advance
workers for the national convention of the
middle-of-the-road Populists, which will
meet here Wednesday afternoon, arrived
to-day. They are all opposed to fusion
and almost everything else that has any
connection with other political parties.
Joe A. Parker, secretary of the national
committee of the middle-of-the-roaders,
has had his headquarters here at the Den
nison for some weeks, while arranging for
the convention. He was Joined by many
others to-day.
They all claim that they represent large
majority of the Peoples party. that in the
contests at State conventions the Sioux
Falls fusionists carried less than 300 Of the
e75 delegates and that the convention at
Sioux Falls, this week. will be one of ex-
cursionists. with minority Of delegates.
as over two-thirds of the delegates were
instructed by their States for the Cincin-
natl convention, which will keep in the
middle of the road, and not be sidetracked
in the interest of anybody or any party.
call is in accord with the Omaha law of
that the Sioux Falls convention is in charge
of Senators Butler, Allen and Pettigrew,
and other officeholders. the same as the
Republican and Democratic conventions.
''It is well recognized by all people," said
Secretary Parker, whether they be Popu-
lists or not. that the Cincinnati convention
represents the real Populistic movement.
1t is equally well known that the Sioux
Falls convention is simply an adjunct to
the Democratic party. This accounts for
the unanimity with which Populists in ev-
cry section have repudiated the call for
the latter convention and indorsed the Gin
cinnati movement. We are confident of an
attendance fully as great as the capacity
of our hall, and it is claimed that Robin
sons Opera House will seat $500 people"
WILL EMBARRASS BRYAN.
Mr. Parker said: "The Sioux Falls con-
vention cannot deliver a vote to Bryan
that would not go to him as the regular
Democratic nominee. Any action that the
Sioux Falls convention may take will only
embarrass Bryan and give his enemies in
the Democratic party an opportunity to
hammer him. He would be much stronger
as thorough Democratic candidate than
as a fusionist, and If the leaders Of the
Sioux Falls convention were really for
Bryan they would go about the matter in
a way to accomplish his election. They
would openly join the Democratic party
and help to elect its nominee. But they
are not so much for Bryan as they are for
themselves. and they are working the
fusion racket more with an eye to getting
Democratic support for the State and other
offices they hold, and expect to hold, than
for any love for Bryan. This idea was
boldly argued in the committee on resolu-
tions at Raleigh, N. c. Mr.. Bryan is in
more danger to-day from these friends
than he is from the dle-of-the-roaders."
Asked about the charge of Senator Petit
grew that Senator Hanna was helping the
convention, Mr.. Parker said:
1T is false. The fusion leaders see that
the Peoples party has repudiated them
This has driven them to the extremity of
trying to impugn the motives of those be-
hind our movement. We expect nothing else
but a campaign of slander. but we propose
to meet it as 1t deserves. In truth, this whole
work has been accomplished, and all ex-
penses of the convention paid with 500, the
amount contributed by the convention
league of Cincinnati. The fusionists bum
coed Sioux Falls out of $500, which will
make their delegates cost over $40 head,
1 should judge; but we were unable to get
anything more than 500. OF course all of
us who have done the preliminary work
have worked without remuneration, and we
have had to dispense with music and all
extras and limit ourselves to bare necessi-
ties, but we are here for business and not
to cut swell. and propose to do the best
we can. But 1t does make US little angry
to have the fusionists parading such a
statement before the public, and leading
people to believe that we have a barrel of
money. I wrote Senator Pettigrew the
facts, over week ago, and asked that he
set us right, but up to this time have heard
nothing from him. 1t does seem strange
that any man holding an Office. secured at
the sacrifice of his party's purity and inde-
pendence, should throw out slurs at other
people who do not see things as he does.
Senator Pettigrew is up for reelection in
South Dakota. this year. and do not think
IL will help his chances much to throw mud
at true Populists."
d. Glenn Deayer, chairman, and 10
Parker. secretary of the middle-of-the-road
national committee were in conference TO-
night with James II. Farris, editor of the
Joliet Ull.) News: ]. z. Bodenhamer editor
of the Dalton tGa.) Herald, ard others, who
are here for the annual meeting tomorrow
of the National Reform Press Association
Deaver is editor OF the True Populist at
Omaha, Neb.. and Parker is at Dallas w
p. Marsh. OF the Kentucky committee, and
Joe Wheeler. OF the Ohio committee, were
in the conference They are all opposed TO
fusion. and for midroad course only. The
Oregon delegates arrived tonight. Tie