Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-19
FUSIONISTS ARE RETICENT
stragglers Arrive in Lincoln for the State
Central Conference.
ALL PROFESS IGNORANCE OF OBJECT
Plans for Continuation of Amalssma-
tiOn wiu BE discussed, but Those
ON the Inside Are Not Spread
~ ing Information Broadcast.
From 4 stan correspondents

LINCOLN, March 15. Especially A
struggling few Of the members Of the dem
ocratic and populist state central commit
tees arrived In Lincoln tonight and all pro-
fess ignorance as to the object OF the flu
sion conferences in this city tomorrow.
From all Indications It is presumed the at
tendance will be light and thus far there
are no prospects Of any sensational pro-
c~eedings in either camp. Plans for the
continuation of the. fusion agreement will
be discussed and efforts will be made by
the populists to have both committees agree
to have the nominating convention held
simultaneously in the same city, but there
will be some opposition, from the demo-
Gratis at least, to any attempt that may be
made to FIX definitely the date for the meet
ings. unless the date so arranged falls later
than August 1.
None Of the leaders who are in the city
tonight will vouchsafe any explanation OF
the action of tine, chairman In calling their
committees to meet the day before the re-
publicans. They say they were not con-
suited and insist further that they know
nothing OF the Questions TO be submitted
for discusafpps WI. ThQinpson OF Grand
Island ywas III thepcty this Afternoon con-
ferringS with Lee Herdman and both main
tained they were wholly In the dark as, to
the program. NJ. F% Harrington of o'Nelll
also was in the city this afternoon, but left
on an evening train for home, declaring
that he did not intend to be in the confer
snce tomorrow.
Inside Information il Scarce.
eThe chairman of the committees may
have a surprise to spring on us tomorrow,
but II so they certainly have given US no
intimation Of the fact" said a former Of
hoer OF the democratic committee this aft
ernoon. THE first ! knew Of the meeting
was when l saw the call in the newspapers.
i have no inside information, but / am
pretty confident that nothing will be done
further than to discuss the fusion PROPOSE
tion and perhaps reach some kind Of an
agreement as to where the conventions
shall be held. The democrats will not IA
vor a convention earlier than August and
Il Is hardly likely that a date will be liked
at thfs meeting.
~ think the real object OF the confer
enees is to attempt to bring about an agree
ment that will result In a prolongatiop o.
the fusion arrangement. There will un'
doubtediy be some friction when this ques'
tion is suggested and 1t may be that wher
the committees get It settled they will mo-
care about tackling anything else"
W. ]. Bryan returned this afternoon anC
will likely attend the democratic meeting
tomorrow. Chairman Hall Of the demo
cratic committee and De France of thu
populist committee were busy with thu
early arrivals today and both expressed
themselves to the reporters as being con
ndent that fusion would be continued. Mr.
Hall said: 81 think there Is no question
that there will be an alliance Of democrat
this fall Mr.. De France was still NOR
emphatic, saying: 81 regard fusion as
foreeone conclusion. The fusion arrange
ment viii undoubtedly prevail with o
forces In the forthcoming campaign"