Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-04
FUTURE OF POPUL|STS
Depends Upon the Action Of
Democrats at st. Louis.
LOOK FOR BRYAN VOTES
EVERYTHING HINGES ON NE
BRASKAN'S RECOGNITION.
If Considered by Democrats There
Will Be No Peoples Party
Fight This Year.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. July 4.-That the
future of the populist party depends. in a
great measure, upon the action of the demo-
cratic national convention at st. Louis is
freely admitted and discussed by the dele
gates to the populist national convention,
which called to order today in the
state arsenal.
The leaders who are here believe that a
gold democrat like Parker or Cleveland
will be nominated at St. Louis and that
William ]. Bryan will leave the democratic
party and come into the ranks of populism
With him and his friends supporting popu-
list principles, the delegates here think
there would be more hope for the future.
On the other hand, if Mr.. Bryan and his
friends should control the ST. Louis conven-
ton, or receive recognition which would be
satisfactory to the Nebraska leader, many
of the leaders here say, there would be lt-
tie use for the populist party to make
fight this year.
IF the democrats ignore Bryan at st.
Louis said Judge Daniel Williams of In
diana. I'VE will be stronger than ever and
populism will live
Mistake in Early Convention.
Many of the delegates believe a mistake
was made when the pppulist convention
was not postponed until after the st. Louis
convention. But 1t is too late apparently
now to make any changes. That plat
form will be adopted and a ticket nominat-
ed before this convention adjourns he was
certain.
The attendance Is disappointment to
The leaders. There is also considerable dis
al pointment that some of the recognized
leaders of the party are absent
Thomas F. Watson of Georgia. mentioned
as the probable candidate for President, is
among the absentees.
A. J. Burkhart of Indiana. who to
! be temporary chairman of the convention,
sent word yesterday that he would not be
| here.
Letter From Watson.
Among the prominent men in attendance
! are: Former Senator William V. Allen of
| Nebraska and former Representative E. r.
| Ridgley of Kansas; r. u. Sutherland of
| Nebraska and L. II. Weller of Iowa. Also
| A H. Cardin of Kentucky, V. S. Hardy of
| Arkansas. Samuel W. Williams of Indiana
| and Col. Milton Park of Texas
The convention met at noon, with former
| Representative Weller temporary char-
| man.
Adjournment was taken till 2 pm, after
| the temporary organization had been per-
| fected.
1t was learned today that Thomas f.
! Watson of Georgia, who has been men,
| toned a probab BILE candidate for Presi-
| dent the populist ticket has written
a letter to John J. Holiday of the fourth
| convention, which may result in Watson's
name not being presented to the conven-
| ton.
Prominent Attendants.
Holiday admits that he has letter from
| Watson. but declines to make 1t public at
| this time or discuss it. When asked If
| the letter was defamation of the nomt-
nation for President. Mr.. Holiday replied
| that Watson was not seeking the honor
| and he did not know whether Watson's
name would go before the convention or
| not.
| 1t is known that Watson is a friend of
! VIM. r. Hearst. and it is said he favored
| a postponement of the populist convention
| until after the St Louis convention had
| been held, and If Hearst was ignored by the
| democrats then Watson favored taking up
! Hearst. Mr.. Holiday said today that Wat
son was an admtrer of Hearst, but he be-
! lieved lie would be true to the teachings of
! populism.
| Conference Held.
! AS soon as Holiday received the Watson
| letter he held "a conference with the Indiana
delegates, who booming Judge Will
lams of that state for President, and after
the conference was over Holiday said that
| If Watson's name was not presented to the
| convention the southern delegates would
| support Williams.
| Fred J. S. Robinson, Williams manager
is more confident than ever that his man
| will be nominated. Williams Is the only
| candidate here who has organization
and his friends are active and making a
| vigorous fight.
Watson's letter has cast considerable
| gloom over the delegates, as many
| fear he is going to desert the party,
| and they feel that with former Senator