Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-26

- NAaNN VII Nh0 1NaAN aha AAaNNhNh
i~ntently to all thai was said.
Thompson was interrupted in his speak
Ing by the Information that Bryan had been
nominated by the populists. He relin-
pushed the floor Immediately and Bryan,
though not a delegate, was recognized.
In part Mr.. Bryan said. Mr.. Chairman
and Gentlemen Of the convention: 1 have
been interested in SOM of the things I
have seen and heard in this convention. l
think l have labored long enough to con-
vince you Of my willingness to advance the
cause which I have been so long promoting.
1 think l can do some good toward the adj
vancement Of the principles we have been
fighting for. without holding ONCE, and l
have told the people of the two parties who
have been talking to me about this, and l
repeat now that the work you propose is
not the best work l am fitted for. For
twelve years l have had the united sup
port Of the democrats Of Nebraska and in
two campaigns the united support OF the
populists. l am sure there is no reason
why any democrat mentioned here in con-
n%ection with this ONCE should not have the
same support that has been offered me-"
the Boilers.
Mr.. Bryan spoke Of the qualifications Of
each Of the three democratic candidates,
{. J. Smyth, General Vifquain and w. H.
Thompson, and continues: There is no
reason why any of these men should not
be acceptable to the populists. But l have
heard opinions expressed here in this con-
v~ention that surprised me; opinions re-
garding our friends, the populists. And
there have been harsh words spoken about
them. I want to say that there are men
here who voted for Mckinley in 1896 and
1900. Let them not say anything against
the populists. Let not these men drive
the populists away from us and the party
back into the slough of despond.
my friends, II seems to me that some OF
you have not considered the serious side
Of this question. Do you know what II
means? It means that II we follow some
Of the advice that has been offered here
that We will turn the state over to the rail-
roads and the taxation into the hands of
the corporations. l believe great issues
are at stake. The party will have to de-
eide the great issue Of democracy or plu-
tocracy, and we find the populists on the
side Of democracy. l believe the popullsts
have asked for more Offices than they are
entitled to. but we should remember that
all the Offices we have had in this state in
recent years they helped us get. You are
here representing the democracy Of this
SldlS, the democracy InaL mas taken up
this fight. 1 want you to hesitate before
you turn your back on our allies and sur
render to the railroads.
Wants to stay in National Politics.
81 cannot be a candidate for governor,
because l believe 1t would lessen my ability
to do that which 1 wish to do. l don't want
to give my time to dividing Offices in the
governors chair and attending to the de-
tail duties Of governor. l want to stay in
national politics, where 1 can accomplish
more than in the Office for which l have
been suggested"
At the conclusion Of Bryan's speech all
pending motions were tabled. Another one
was offered, and received with some shouts
Of favor, providing for an acceptance Of
the populists' proposition. by which that
party was to take the governor, leaving the
democrats to select two of the other ofices
of first Importance, the rest to be divided
alternately between the two parties.
Sentiment now seemed drifting in the
other direction. Benton Maret, who had up |
to this time stood strongly in favor Of the
nomination of a democrat for governor,
offered an amendment providing for ac-
ceptance Of the terms only on condition
that Harrington be named for governor.
The motion, however, was lost by q close
vote.
slide Starts TO Thompson.
The secretary started to call the roll
again. After a few counties had voted
Harrington gained recognition and permits
sion to speak. He reiterated that he was
not a candidate and, referring to Thomp-
son. said: III you can't do anything else,
nominate him and I'll try and shove It
through the populist convention"
This declaration met with an outburst of
applause. Hats went into the air and cheer
after cheer were given. After quiet was
restored the calling Of the roll was re-
Thompson received a big majority.
Douglas remained faithful to Smyth. but
Lancaster went to Thompson. The nomi-
nation was made unanimous and Thompson
was carried on the shoulders OF admirers
TO the stage. He spoke briefly, giving
thanks for the action Of esteem and con-
fdence.
At 5:45 a recess for ten minutes was
taken and the democrats FASTENED to the
populist convention to see Harrington
Shove II through" /
The ten minute" recess terminated at
10 O'Clock. After the convention was called
to order again several more ballots were
taken, all resulting in favor OF Thompson.
Startled by False Alarm.
Al $3.50 a hurricane OF excitement swept
over the hall and was followed by a calm
of distressing stiffness. 1t was caused by
the announcement that Thompson had been
nominated by the populists. M. F. Har-
rington started the report. He came over
from the populist hall on the run, told
several people at the entrance OF the news
and rushed hastily into the democratic con-
vention hall. The cheers from the street,
mingled with cries, Thompson has been
nominated" had been heard in the mean
time and were taken up and re-echoed by
the democrats.
AS Harrington appeared at the door he
was lifted from the floor by several demo-
Gratis and carried on their shoulders to the
platform. Speeches congratulating the
democrats on the populist nomination were
made by Harrington, Bryan and James. A
few minutes later it developed that the
was without foundation.
\ At IL O'Clock. however, 1t was o~ficially
announced that Thompson had been nomi-
mated by the populists.