The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-20
POpULTTS SPLIT IN TWO.
FUsIONIsTs IN CONTROL OF THE
NATIONAL COMMITTEE.
Proceed to Exclude All Middle-of-
the-Roaders Save Five, and the
Latter Element Promptly Organ
ines-CalIs a National Convention.

LINCOLN, Neb., Feb ls.-A split ana a
walkout followed a turbulent meeting CT
the Popuist national committee tonight.
The anu-fusion leaders. after having
number of their followers turned down by
the credentials committee organized a bolt
and formed a new committee. The men,
bers favorable TO fusion, after adopting
the report OF the credentials committee ad-
journed until tomorrow when in all likeli-
hood IL will empower the chairman Or a
committee of three to call the national
convention for the same city and the same
time the Democratic convention Is acid.
want of Harmony Apparent.
Caucuses and conferences this morning
among the contending factions betokened
an inharmonious meeting of the full COM
mittee which began at O'Clock this after
noon in the representative hall, OF the
state capitol and the Indications that break
ers were ahead were emphasized ten min
utes after Chairman Butler called the com
mittee 10 order and announced that II
would at once go into executive session.
Allen Was for Fusion.
The difficulties OF the members, OF whom
there were abou. eighty present. but hold
Ing proxies for nearly the fun committee,
hinged on the old question OF fusion. The
element led by Senator Allen. with appar-
emily the strongest following, insisted on
fusion and to that end that a COMMITTEES
be appointed with power to call the convon-
ton for the same day and place as the
Democrats. Senator Allen said:
II am not in favor of admitting to the
committee meeting this afternoon or recog-
mixing az members OF the committee. any
man who participated in the Cincinnati
convention that nominated Barker and
Donnelly for president and Vice president.
/ am not in favor OF recognizing proxies
from such men. neither am l in favor OF
recognizing any such man who sends
proxy. do not believe the committee
should admit any member who Is support
ing ticket other than the one TO be NOM
mi
shalt call The committee should throw
over the trangom every member who has
no right to participate in its deliberations
and believe 1t will do It"
j. A. Parker, of Kentucky, replied on
behalf OF the middle-of-the-road, or anti
fusion men.
Antf-Fusionists Sat On.
The calling OF the list of committeeman
proceeded without incident to the end,
when Mr.. Parker asked why the proxies
kansas, and Robert McReyneldS-- OF Lin
coin, had been omitted. Robert Schilling.
OF Wisconsin, said he challenged the right
OF any man 70 sit in the meeting, re-
gardless of his credentials. who had taken
part In the Cincinnati convention which
nominated Barker and Donnelly.
Chairman Butler ruled that the whole
matter must go to the committee on ere
dentials. and he thereupon appointed as
such committee Allen. of Nebraska, Wea-
YER, of Iowa and Tracey, of Texas. all OF
the fusion faction, and declared the meet
ing adjourned amid the protests OF the
dle-of-the-roaders. who denounced his
action as partisan.
Make y Proposition.
When the committee reassembled, at s:45,
the anti-fusionists presented the follow
ing proposition.
THAT the committee recognize only le-
gal proxies, stamped with revenue stamps,
according TO law. That the roll of the
meetng at Omaha in 1888 be accepted as
the roll OF this committee, except where
subsequent state conventions have elect
ed new members; except that cases OF
contests shall go before committee COM
posed of five members. two to be select
ed by the friends of Butler, two by friends
of Parker. these four to select fifth menu
ber and that IN settling these contests no
votes are TO be cast on these cases by
either contcstees or contestants until all
contests ARE settled.
This proposition represents tho votes
Ia this convention which are good ma
jority of the members In attendance here
and we demand these propositions In tho
name OF the honest Populists of this ma
tlon who are opposed TO rascality in poll
tics"
This was signed by ]. o. A Parker. Ken.
lucky. +. n. II. Wheeler, Ohio: Newt
Gresham, Texas. ]. H. Osborne, Georgia
J. 4. Knott. Maine; Robert McReynolds
Arkansas. and ID. G. Weaver, OF Ne
braska, together with a number Of 9TH
ers not committeeman The proposition
was ignored 10y the fun committee. the
committee on credentials reported exclud-
ing all bat Ave of the anti-fusion MEM
bers, and in the midst of an upeonr the
mddle-of-t he-roadefS. led by PARKER, Of
Kentucky. and Welles. OF Iowa left the
hall, engaged a room down town and
organizedR boiling meeting.
The main convention. shortly before
midnight. without deciding on a date or
place for the national convention, adjourn
Cd until tomorrow morning.
The boitefs secured a room at the Grand
hotel prepared am address and called a