The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-09

opinion among the delegates from States is
shown In the Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and
Missouri delegations. Nebraska delegates
feel that they are in a peculiarly delicate
position because they are especially anxious
TO subserve the interests of Mr.. Bryan.
They held two meetings during the day.
but failed 10 reach a conclusion, and Will
meet again tomorrow morning at 3 o'clock
Tor further consultation as to what course
to pursue. Senator Allen. who may be
considered the leader of the delegation. as
he is also the especial champion OF Mr..
Bryan. Is exercising himself especially to
secure that action which will most certain
ly rebound to Bryan's benefit. A majority
or the delegates from Nebraska are appar-
emily favorable TO the reference Of the
whole question TO a committee of one from
each State TO be appointed TO confer with
the Democrats at Kansas City. and IL is
believed that Senator Allen is in accord
with this sentiment. In his exhortations
TO the delegation he has dwelt especially
upon the Importance of avoiding the COM
plication which the nomination OF Watson
for Vice President caused in 1896, the in
nomination at this time would be liable to
cause a similar complication in the coming
campaign.
In this position Senator Allen is sharply
antagonized by Senator Butler, of North
Carolina, and Senator Pettigrew, of this
State. Ii may be said, in fact, that the
United States senators who are present are
leading conflicting opinions upon this all
dDSUTDinS question:, ana III DeSlnS 10 look
as IL they would carry their differences in
TO the convention arena itself. In case they
do the convention will be by no means a
monotonous affair. Thomas Patterson. of
the Colorado delegation. is a Jealous sup
porter of the proposition TO name a COM
mittee of conference and not TO nominate
a vice presidential candidate. He is an ex-
perienced and tactful parliamentarian. and
will bring much strength to that side of
the controversy in case IL should be opened
up in the convention. The Colorado dele
cation, numbering thirty-eight members,
held a meeting to-day and unanimously de-
cided to stand out for a conference COM
mittee.
Butler and Pettigrew are unquestionably
exerting their utmost endeavors in behalf
of Mr.. Towne. and, while they appreciate
come, they express themselves In private
conversation as very confident of success.
One straw showing the way the wind blows
is found in a vote which was taken on the
special train coming from Omaha this
morning. Two cars, containing sixty-eight
delegates, were canvassed. and of the six
ty-eight votes cast fifty-eight were favor
able TO Towne.
There is, however, among those who be-
lieve in the wisdom of nominating a candi-
date in opposition to Mr.. Towne a certain
element, led by General Weaver, of Iowa..
which is advocating the nomination OF a
straight Populist. while there are others
still who express the opinion that. IL a
candidate other than a Populst Is 10 be
nominated. he should be a man of Demo-
cratic proclivities, so as to make sure OF
his Endorsement by the Democratic con-
~vention. In this connection some of the
Illinois delegates have suggested ex-Vice
President Adlai +. stevenson. There is
also present a gentleman from New York
who is circulating very industriously
among the delegates I'm the interest of Rep
resentative Sulzer. He assures them that
Mr.. Sulzer Is in accord with many OF the
Populist views and eloquently pleads the
cause of his champion. The friends Of Mr..
Stevenson call attention to the fact that
he has not only once been elected vice
President, but that he has also made a
record as a ~greenbacker. Mr.. Towne'ss sup
porters meet these arguments by pointing
to his record as a silver advocate, and as
sert that he would make a campaign equal
to that of Bryan himself. They are met on
this point by the argument that the Demo-
Gratis would never accept him as a nominee
because of his Republican proclivities.
Still another proposition which has been
made and this is advocated by Delegates
Washburn and Brown, of Massachusetts,
is that the convention should name several
persons, any one of whom would be accep-
table to the Populists as a vice presiden-
tial candidate, and appoint a committee to
confer with the Democrats as to which of
them should be placed upon the ticket.
This proposition Is apparently gaining IN
favor but is not yet as strong as either
the suggestion in Towne's behalf or the one
to avoid any nomination whatever.
Some of the delegates. notably those from
Nebraska and Missouri, are advancing the
idea that the convention as a whole should
adjourn Immediately after converting to
meet in Kansas City on the same day that
the Democratic and Silver Republican con-
v~entions are to assemble there. This sug-
gestion does not meet with favor.
The delegates have not yet reached the
point of talking openly on the question OF
a vice presidential nomination, but there Is
a growing feeling on this subject and un-
less a means is found of harmonizing the
sentiment before the vice presidential NOM
ination is reached in the order of business,
there will almost certainly be a very spiri-
ted fight over that point.
1t is already apparent that the attend
ance at the convention will not be as
large as had been counted upon. The re-
duction of rates by the railroads extended
on the East only as far as New York and
on the West only to Montana, probably
cutting off the attendance of many dele
gates and visitors from the Pacific coast
and also possibly some delegates from the
New England States. A majority of the
States, it is said, will, however, be rep
resented by delegates IL not by visitors.
There will be probably some contest over
the position of national chairman. State
Chairman Edmiston. of Nebraska, is an
avowed candidate for the position. and ap-
parently has the support OF Nebraska's
neighboring States for II. Senator Butler
has not yet announced whether he will
be a candidate for reelection or not.