Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-06-26
(From a Stan Correspondent)

GRAND ISLND, Neb.. June 25.-(Special)
1T took twenty hours of enervating travail
TO produce fusion on w. II. Thompson of
This city the candidate for governor of
the democratic and populist state conven-
tions held here.
The result was brought about only by
The most strenuous and determined efforts
of all the leaders and the pathetic plea of
Bryan himself that unless fusion we're ac-
bomplished In Nebraska it would be pro-
claimed that he had been deserted by his
populist allies.
At different times during the protracted
sessions, which continued without inter-
Fuption through the entire night until day
had broken full upon them, no less than
four different candidates had received u
majority in one OF the conventions eX-
pressing its choice for governor, but not
until IL o'clock In the morning could both
conventions be forced to agree upon the
Same man. The four candidates, each of
whom seemed to have the nomination
within his grasp, we're NJ F. Harrington Of
Holt county and William J. Bryan of Ian
caster, proposed by the populists, and c. ].
Smyth and william H. Thompson Of Hall,
put forward by the democrats. Only after
Harrington and Smyth had by compact
with one another Withdrawn their names in
sides OF the controversy and Bryan had
emphatically and irrevocably refused to
become the candidate, was the agreement to
compromise on Thompson reached.
Rupture of Fusion Imminent.
AT times almost without number 1t ap-
peared Inevitable that the two conventions
would refuse to meet on common ground
and each. rather than yield the governor
ship to the other, would put in nomination
a complete state ticket of its own party
members and. as repeatedly threatened, "go
It alone" The way in which the junction
of the two parties was finally effected
affords food for an interesting study in
political finesse. When the conventions
met the popullsts proclaimed their deter
fnination to furnish the head of the ticket
regarding that as the first essential to pre-
serving their party Identity and separate
organization. A caucus of q large Dumber
of the delegates held during the morning
had formulated an ultimatum that claimed
the governorshlp for the populists, but
yielded to the democrats an equal division
OF the other places on the ticket, the Sc
lection to be made by each convention
alternately. The brusque way in which the
democrats had proceeded to nominate Smyth
without even communicating with the pop
committed themselves against any nomina-
tion without the endorsement of the other
convention TO make II effective. To show
their resentment as much as anything else
roll call was ordered and an almost unan-
Imous vote given to NJ. L. Harrington, who
at the time was outside serving on the
resolutions committee For several ball
lots in both conventions these performances
were kept up without material change, the
populists reiterating their choice of Har-
rington, without his dissent II without his
assent. Although he had previously per-
sistentiy asserted that he could not and
would not be candidate on the ticket, II
came nevertheless, as a surprise when late
IN the evening he appeared on the plat
form and told them that he did not take
their nomination in earnest and did not pro-
pose TO be a candidate.
Harrington Smoothly COrnered.
Ex-Chairman Edmisten hurled questions
At him as II he were on a witness stand
"You knew we were voting for YOU" ht
said, "and you did not ask us to stop. Yol
have put your sentiments into the plat
form which We have Just adopted. and nj
man can stand on that platform mor'
EQuarely than YOU You have said that nj
man who has populistic principles truly a
heart would refuse TO serve his party II
any capacity where duty calls him. II yol
receive the unanimous nomination OF thesI
two conventions will you refuse to accept p
Driven into the corner Harrington an
bwered; IF the two conventions give M
their unanimous nomination | will aecep
and be your candidate. l am In sympath.
with your ambition to preserve the integ
rity OF the populist party by nominating
populist for governor. and II there Is n
other way by which a populist can be nom
mated, and II you try in good faith frst L
nominate some other man and call upon m
Rs last resort, | will be at your service
Yet before three more ballots had bee
taken Harrington and Smyth in eonferenc
had agreed to withdraw their names uneon
ditionally and Harrington at the very mo
ment that the democrats. under spur 0
Bryan, we're half way down a roll call tina
promised to give him the nomination, In
tsrvened with a positive proclamation tha
he would not accept When he returned {
the populist convention and repeated hi
statement the populists naturally were furi
ous They had centered all their ammuni
tion on Harrington and knew not which wa
10 turn. Excited delegates raked Harring
ton over the Goals again.
Ibid you not say that you would be ou
candidate II IL was necessary to D0mInat
you in order TO get a populist at the hea