The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-07-05

The CONVENTION BEGINS 4 4 i:
Associated Press.)


SPRINGFIELD. I'LL, July 4-2rhe five
or six hundred delegates who were OK
fpected to attend the Popuist National
Convention in this city to-day, did not
sputsin an appearance and when the con : 4
syentIon was called to order this after
noon. there were fewer than two hundred
delegates In the hall. There were hun
dreds OF empty seats In the large state
arsenal where the convention was held.
Only twenty three States were represent
ed in the convention.
The convention was called to order by
Vice Chairman Edmiston, OF Nebraska.
and the cali was read by j. A. Parker. OF
Kentucky, National Chairman. Ex.Con-
fgressmaniI. II. Weller. Of Iowa, was made
the temporary chairman, and Charles @.
6DeFrance, OF Nebraska, temporary secre-
tary, Afteritlie temporary organization
aad been perfected the convention lis
tened to addresses by ex-senator VIM. w
Allen, Of N ebraska, and Rev; a. u. Mel
son II ST. Louis. After thel appointment
OF the various committees, the convention
took a recess until evening J. ~. 20
mission was chosen chairman Of the Com
mi. zee on Resolutions
The Names Mentioned.
Only three names are mentioned now
In connection with the nom1na ton Tor
President--Will liam Y. Allen. of Nebraskai
Samuel w. Williams, of Indiana and
Thomas e, WELDON, OF Georgia.
Former Senate a lien refuses to ente1
in a scramble for the nomination. and
practically said tonight that he would
not accept the honor II there was going
to Be any contest over It, He wants the
nomination to come unanlmouusly.
Mr. Watson is In similar state OIL
mird regarding the head Of the ticket.
and has written Il letter to the effect
THAT he does not want to be the standard
| benrerEfor the Populsts this year
Mi. Williams of Indiana. is leaving
Ignothing unIone to capture the nominal
ton. and his friends say that II he can
\ not get first place on the tick he y
willing To take second II is generally
understood that a large number of dele
| gates favor the Indiana man ior zee zee
President.
4 %It is understood that former Senator!
Allen will have more to say about The
| platform than any other delegate ne ne
\ sentiment lfa.ors the adoption or the
4 Omaha platform of 1882 with rlanks
4 for postal savings and initiativeisand
/ referendum. ~ Ell 4s III
May Not be Presented.
IL was learned to-day that Thomas. p.
4 Watson, of Georgia. has Wrlttell LEI
ter ia John G.. Holiday, OF the tourt n
i Georgia District, who is 4 delegate 70
lt.e convention, which may result II, ~ "a /
sons name not being presented 70 the
1 Genvention. Holiday admits that he has
| q letter from Watson. but declines 20
make it public at this time or discuss
iSu. When asked If the letter wus u DE-
| rlinatinn of the nomination for Presl-
dent Mr.. Holiday replied that Wat
| son was not seeking the honor, and he
| c,d not know whether Wutson's name
would 20 before the convention or not.
II is known that Watson is o. friend or
William r.. Hearst, and It Is said lie Ia
! ored postponement of the Poplli,st
Convention until after the ST Louis Con
ventiors had been held, and II Hearst was
enored by the Democrats. then Wat
sun favored taking ZIP Hearst. Mr., fl!oi -
lidav said to-day that, Watson was an
ndmirer Of Hearst. but he believed nc
Would be true to the teachings ofiPopu--
| ilsm. ~,
AS soon as Holiday received the . y, a
! son letter, he held n conference WIN ,le.
Indiana delegates. who are noomins Iuuse
yvil,iams Of that state for president ana
after the conference was over 1io,lllu aS
said that If Watson's name was not pre-
s sa,,ted H. the convention, the southern
delegates would support Williams.
! yVntson's letter has cast, considerable
gloom over the delegates. as many rear
rs 10 going to desert the party ana the9
feel that with former Senator Marion 5nt
1er out and with 10, a. Parker GONG 70
retire from active work In the part mere.
Is little use to continue the llght.