The independent., 1903-06-25
POPUlIST MEETING
Nebraska State Central Committee Meets
In Lincoln and Sets Date Of Holding
State Convention

Pursuant to the call made two weeks
ago, the populist state central COM
mittee met at the Grand hotel, this
city, Tuesday (23rd). The following
populists were present: Joseph Lea
therman, Butte, Boyd; John H. Felber,
Harrington, Cedar; ]. A. Crimson,
Schuyler, Colfax; E. ID. Johnson, Lex
ington, Dawson; Geo. L. Burr, Au-
rora, Hamilton; H. e. Dawes, Lin
coin, Lancaster; E. B. Quackenbush,
South Auburn, Nemaha; Fred Hier,
Crete, Saline; ]. L. Coleman, Mem
phis, Saunders; J. H. Edmisten, Thed-
ford, Thomas; H. B. Cummins, Sew
ard, Seward; w. P. nation, Fullerton,
Nance; L. H. Tibbles, Bancroft, Cum
ing; j. ]. Points, Omaha, Douglas; G.
B. Manuel, st. Paul. Howard; Thos
Knox, Bennett, Otoe; E. o. Kretsing-
er, Beatrice, Gage; and G. G. Bullock,
W. A. Poynter, Mrs. Belle G. Bige-
low, J. H. Craddock, Aug Meier, w.
f.. Wright, A. G. Sherrick, G. @. De
France, all of Lincoln, in addition to
Chairman B. r. B. Wsbersand Secre-
tary ]. r. Farris
The session was called to, order by
Chairman Weber, who stated the pur-
pose of the meeting. to officially fix
the time and place of holding the state
convention of the peoples independent
party and to discuss the future of the
rarty.
Secretary Farris read a number Of
letters from absent committeeman.
Hason Turner of Pierce, expressing
confidence in the chairman and COM
mittee, said that his hearty approval
would be given to what might be
done. w. l.. Hand, of Kearney, Buff
falo, advised against making any ar
rangements for fusion, believing that
his county would not be represented
In state convention If such arrange
ments were made. G.. B. oprague of
Blair, Washington, favored any rea-
sonable concessions to secure fusion
Gen. p. H. Barry of Greeley favored
Hastings or Grand Island; time about
August /, and about week ahead of
the democratic convention. A clip
ping was also read from the Lyons
Mirror, I'M M. Warner of Burt coun-
ty) saying:
'sLet fusion be the battle cry for
the reform forces in Nebraska With
out fusion there is no hope of gaining
4 victory for the people and the right.
Corporate wealth and the tools of the
money power are enthroned in the
state house at Lincoln. Let the de-
throning proceed! But don't act the
fool about the democrats and pop
ulists doing it single-handed."
At this point call was made for the
result of the referendum vote taken
some time ago on the subj ct of fu-
sion, and Secretary Farris announced
that Is committeeman had voted
against Independent party action and
Is for
Mr.. Tibbles then took the floor and
recOunting the experience of the pop
ulists in other states, favored fixing
time and place of holding the state
convention without consulting any
other party. Mr.. Burr opposed this,
believing that this committee, having
Leen selected at fusion convention,
1t was Our duty to first find out when
the democrats wished to hold their
convention, and eontending that the
matter of fusion was one for the con
vention to decide-not for this COM
mittee. Mr.. De France inquired how
the delegates to a state convention
could set the time and place of that
convention and insisted that the dutr
OF the committee lay in fixing that
time and place; if asked to confer
with the democratic committee, it was
our duty to respond courteously.
Mr.. Edmisten, to. get the matter
properly before the committee, intro
duced resolution declaring that at
is incumbent on the peoples indepen
cent party at this time to call it's con.
vention and act independently of any
other party for the year 1903"
Upon this Judge Crimson spoke al
some length. recounting that in the
early days he h. | opposed fusion, but.
having started on this course, we can
not now recede without just cause,
and that at this time there is mo rea-
son for withdrawing from the al
lance. Mr.. Wright spoke with some
feeling in favor of a straight party
course and no fusion. Mr.. Manuel
viewed the matter much as Judge
Crimson did, but in view of the
rnanimity of populists in favor of re-
nominating Judge Sullivan, could see