The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-07-04
POPULlSTS HOPE J..
IN ". J. BRYAN
Leaders Say If Democrats Turn
Him Down Populism Will
Thrive.

Springfield, ILL.,, July 4.-That the
future of the populist party depends
in great measure upon the action
of the democratic national conven-
and discussed by the delegates to the
populist national convention, which
was called to order today in the state
arsenal. --..-
The leaders who are here believe
that q gold democrat like Parker or
Cleveland will be nominated at st.
Louis and that w. j. Bryan will leave
the democratic party and come into
the ranks Of populism. With him and
his friends supporting populist prin-
ciples, the delegates here think there
| would be hope for the future. On
the other hand, if Mr.. Bryan and his
| friends should control the st. Louis
| which would be satisfactory to the
| Nebraska leader, many of the leaders
here say there would be little use" for
the populist party to make fight
this year. ..szs.-, e ...s,.....-ss 4..s....a-.
eff the democrats throw Bryan
b down at st. Louis" said Judge Daniel
| Williams Of Indiana, 1--WE will be
| stronger than ever and populism will
live and gain strength"
Many of the delegates believe a
mistake was made when the populist
| convention was not postponed until
after the st. Louis convention. But
it is apparently too late now to make
any changes. That a platform will
be adopted and a ticket nominated
beyond all doubt. w..
The attendance is a disappointment
to the leaders. Thomas e. Watson OF
Georgia, mentioned as the probable
candidate for president. is among the
absent leaders Of the. party, A. J.
~ Tx,1i vrybo to he
temporary chairman Of the conven.
ton, sent word yesterday that he
would not be present, causing much
disappointment. Among the more
prominent men in attendance are ex-
Senator William V. Allen Of Nebras-
ka, former Congressman e. r. Ridge.
ley Of Kansas, r. D. Sutherland o,
Nebraska, L. Fl. Weller of Iowa, I
H. Cardin Of Kentucky, w. s. Hardy
Of Kansas, Samuel w. Williams o.
Indiana and Colonel Milton Park O.
Texas. .... a.
An adjournment was taken after
. the temporary organization was per
fected, until o'clock, when the con
vention assembled for Fourth O.
July celebration consisting Of patriotic
addresses.
Watson May Not Accept.
It was learned late today that Thorn
:. as F. Watson had written to John J
Holiday Of the fourth Georgia district
a delegate to the convention, a letter
which might result in Watson's name
not being presented to the convention
1t is known that Watson is FRIEND
of William r. Hearst, and it is said h
favored a postponement of the popu
list convention until after the ST. Louis
convention in order that if Hearst wa
ignored by the democrats the popu
lists might take him up. Mr.. Hollida.
said today that Watson was an admir-
err Of Hearst but he believed he woul'
be true to the teachings of popu1ism
AS soon as Holiday received tn
Watson letter he had conference
with the Indiana delegation, who ar
, booming Judge Williams Of that stat
for president, and after the conference
, was over, Holiday said that If Wat
sons name was not presented to tn
convention, the southern delegate
would support Williams.
Fred J. S. Robinson, Williams man
: ager, is more confident than ever tina
his man will be nominated. William
is the only candidate here who ha
,, an organization, and his aides ar
!, | active.