Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-06-24
Delegates and Candidates Fail to Put il
Early Appearance,
COMPETITION FOR NOMINATION is ueHl
Only Two Gubenstorial AspirGnts on
Ground in Person.
BRYAN TALK HAS slRMERED DOW
His Alleged Adherents Have Little
10 Say, while Allen Men Are
Making More Noise About
the Ex-senator.
CFrom a Stan correspondent)


GRAND ISLAND. Neb.. June 2s-Cspe,
cisl Telegram Nothing could be more
| striking than the contrast between oondi.
tons here on the eve OF two fusion state
conventions and at Lincoln last week, ths
night before the republican state conven-
tion. The Lincoln hotel Hobbies and street,
were overcrowded with visiting delegates
and spectators plnoards and badges an.
nounced the various competing candidates
| and open house headquarters warmed VI
enthusiasm among the followers OF the
different standards. Here at Grand IslAnt
only few strRgglers so far are to be seer
on the streets, the hotels have been by NJ
! means overtaxed, just two candidates foi
| governor Nifquain and Coffin, have estab.
| lished headquarters, and everything be.
tokens an empty seat circus when the ring.
master starts the performance tomorrox
afternoon, despite predictions that the bull
| OF the delegates will come on the morninl
trains
The situation as to probable nominees Il
still decidedly unsettled. The talk Of Bryas
is not so loud as was to have been eK.
! pected, while the disposition of the pupu.
lists to hang out for a popultst for ths
head OF the ticket is more strenuous. Tn,
local fusion paper is trying to start
sprout for W. H. Thompson. but he sayI
he does not want to be considered.
Boosting for Allen.
On the other side there is some talk oi
ex-senator Allen with the instruction that
his plea for Bryan and suggestion that nc
patriotic fusionist has a right to refuse te
| respond to his party's call is really In
| tended as a feeler to lead up TO his own
nomination. Sentiment is stronger, how.
ever, for M. f. Harrington, II he could
be induced TO say he would take the nomi-
nation, and although a populist. he would
be fairly acceptable TO the democrats.
OF the democratic candidates Smyth and
Vifquain neither is particularly beholder
TO the populists. One prominent populisi
! declares that Smyth can not get the popu-
list endorsement, even II the democrats
hold out for him till election is over.
Another suggests that the way to make
sure that the governorship Is not stolen
| away from them is for the populists to &c
ahead and nominate their man for governor
and then appoint a conference committee
| to negotiate with the democrats the divis-
| ion of the nomination places on the ticket
under the circumstances.
Minor Places Go Begging.
No competition whatever iE visible for the
minor nominations. but the candidates for
these will have TO be sprung on the conven-
/
| tiOn floor.
AS to platform both conventions will be
rabid on the corporation question. The
4 leaders are convinced that their cause is
desperate and that their only chance to stem
the tide of republican prosperity lies In the
most explicit declarations against the rail-
roads on everything that may recall a griev-
| ance.
On national issues they will be against
hR with aNa
the administration attitude on trusts. on
| Cuba, on the Philippines, on everything.
The made-to- order platform Of the Doug
| las county populists is apparently not In
| high favor. II is too long and goes into
| details too much, says Chairman De France.
I'VE want TO be specific. yet confne our
selves 10 general principles and broad poll
cies." The resolutions adopted by the Holt
county populists are more likely TO set the
pace for the populists.
Chairmen of the Conventions.
Judge Travis OF cass will be temporary
chairman for the democrats and also per-
manent chairman. If he has the convention
| well in hand.
The temporary chairman for the populists
| will be chosen by the convention, those
| mentioned being former Governor POynter
and Judge Edward l. Adams. The commit
tee chairmen win probably remain un-
| changed, providing Chairman DeFrRnce OF
| the populists and Chairman Hall Of the
| democrats are willing to serve. The we'll
grounded fear that they will lose their
| identity as = political party will prevent the
populists from consenting 70 any closer
1 working arrangements with the democrats
than they have already had.
II is this apprehension that moves the
populists to to insist upon having a popu-
| list to head the ticket. Knowing that the
| governor has all the appointive ofices, they
are not willing to trust the democrats TO
| be fair In the distribution Of the pie. THE
democratic governor would appoint no pop
ulist to ONCE except on condition that he
! became a democrat and would exert him.
self to bring the rest Of the populists into
! the democratic fold" said a well-kn0wn
populist. I'VE will have none OF that, espe-
/ cially when we don't know who will con-
| troll the democratic party in the next ma
J tionRl campaign. We don't propose 10 be
swallowed just yet. not with our consent"