Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-20
Less Than Two Score Attend Out Of Five
Hundred Asked.
'oTHING TO DO BUT GO HOME AGAIN
Bryan Shakes Hands All Around and Goes
to His Barn.
ALTGELD REMEMBERED WITH RESOLUTIONS
Judge Shoemaker Urges All Issues
sidetracked Except Imperialism-
Actual Work Referred TO Ex-
ecutIve Committees.
(From 6 Stan Correspondent.)


LINCOLN, March 19.-(Speclal Telegram)
The widely heralded conference Of fusion
leaders in conjunction with the simultane-
Gus meetings of the democratic and popu-
list state committees, held here today,
proved a grand hzzle. Although Chairman
De France of the populist committee had
sent out nearly 500 special invitations to
officers Of county committees, populist edi-
tors, and reform bellwethers, less than two
score put in an appearance. notwithstand-
ing the reduced rates put into effect by
the railroads as a special concession to
reform.
The visitors came in on the morning
trains with bewildered look on their faces,
wondering what 1t was all about. One mem
ber Of the committee said: This 10 rank
foolishness We don't know what we want
to do, and are not ready to do Il II we did
know The only thing on the program Is
to adjourn and go home"
Bryan Exchanges Compliments.
And this is what proved to be the case.
The democratic committee met at the Lin
dell with fourteen present and enough prox-
les to make up an apparent quorum. Mr..
Bryan came in for a few minutes to shake
hands and explain that he was celebrating
his birthday anniversary by moving out to
his farm, where he will occupy his new
barn until his new house is finished, ana
repeated his performance later before the
populist committee.
The only formal action consisted In the
adoption Of resolutions In memory OF Alt
geld and motion delegating to the execu>
tive committee full power to Ok the time
and place Of the state convention in con-
junction with the populists.
The rest Of the time was put in listen
ing to uncorked oratory on all sorts Of
subjects. w. H. Thompson of Grand Is-
land arraigned the eastern democrats who
are trying to reorganize the party and re-
called the cold reception he and his asso-
ciates had received in 1896, when they were
trying to reorganiEe the party on the silver
basis. f
shoemaker's waxed End OF Orstory.
Judge w, S. Shoemaker OF omaha made
piteous but eloquent plea to sidetfaok All
issues except imperialism. Shoemaker had
been given the floor on a motion by ]. J.
o'Connor, who Immediately made his exit
TO avoid what he knew was coming. When
Shoemaker finished, the committee ad-
journed. although several others had man
aged to speak before him.
The populist committee meeting made
even a worse showing than the democrats.
It had a membership OF ninety, but only
thirty NtTO pTob6uLs WullU LnH OUT
side visitors brought the whole number in
the meeting place up to forty. The only
business was to authorize the executive
committee to fix the convention time and
place.
Ex-Congressman Sutherland and ex-sen-
ator Allen had to play lonesome as dis
tinguished leaders" j.
There was not even enough timber pres
ent to construct the proposed populst ed
itorial association, so only a temporary
organization was effected, with Eric John
son Of Wahoo as president and II. F. Nc
Intosh Of Omaha as secretary, and com
mittee consisting OF z. A. Walrath, J. v.
Wolfe and H. F. Wilson, In addition, to
perfect preliminaries for q permanent as
ISOLATION.
Meserve HOvers on Edges.
Ex-Treasurer ]. b. Meserve skirted
around the committees, apparently fearful
that some resolutions directed at him might
be forthcoming. but hreathed easier when
he made sure that no guns were loaded.
Chairman Lindsay came in tonight In ad-
vance Of the meeting of the republican state
committee scheduled for tomorrow night A
persistent rumor has been sdoat to the
effect that the committee may expect
communication from Governor Savage an
nouncing his withdrawal as a candidate for
denomination.
The governor has been In Omaha all day
on private business, but his closest poiiti-
cal friends deny emphaticaliy that anything
in the nature Of a withdrawal Il contena-
plated at this time.
There seems to be two distinct Influence
at work with reference TO the time OF the
convention. Governor savags's friends are
urging a late convention and q short cam
paign, while other candidates for governor
are advocating an early convention.
The adjournment Of the fusloniSts today
without settling upon their program indi-
Gates that they want the republicans to act
frst although Chairman na Franca a.