The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-02-25
Work Begun at Denver
Approved - National Con-
vention Called.

| Jams, Col. Fclter and Col. Park.
Mr.. Brown, In our behalf, tentative
ly named St. Louis as the place, date,
July Z. Judge Williams named juno
IA, but had no decided preference be-
tween Indianapolis or Springfield, a.
remember it. 1t soon developed that
T, the real hitch was on the date. Col.
Park felt in honor bound by the Dem
yer agreement to stand out for con-
ventiOn before either OF the old par
ties, and from that time on gave the
most stubborn resistance to any
change. Assurances that there would
be no Endorsement Of either old party
ticket did no good. His honor was
pledged to hold our convention first,
and by the living God ned stand BY
that.
| All that the majority of the mid
readers wanted was to be certain that
when the peoples party holds its con-
vention it will put populist ticket In
the field and not indor3e the canii-
dates of either old party. The date
was not essential, SO long as lnde-
pendent, Straightforward action could
be reasonably assured. 1t was pointed
out that convention held June IA
might be manipulated into nominate
ing, say, William r. Hearst, and this
used as club to compel the demo-
| cratic convention to nominate him.
COL Park wasn't worried over such q
contingency, and even admitted TINT
he wouldn't feel hurt il we should
nominate a ticket June IA which
would be acceptable to the democrats.
When told that such would be identi-
| cal with the much abused fusion" in
| Nebraska, he simply shrugged his
shoulders and stood pat. ~
In our committee TiDbles and Ed-s
misten had been party to the Dem
yer agreement as to time, and they
suggested at first July and after
wards July 4 as the date In order 10
live up, to tina. agreement, so far AZ
concerned the democratic convention
-and there wasn't much danger that
we should iEdorse Teddy--or the
other fellow who might happen to
down him.
1t wasn't very long until Judge Liv-
ingston, Col. MalIett, Judge williams.
Barkis, Eaton. Col Felter and q num-
Der of others were willing to COM
promise on the Fourth of July; but 10
Parker. Paul Dixon, Coz. Park, Nor
gan, Weller, Burkhart. and others
still stood out for June H. Finally
the mid-road committee agreed to
Springfield. July 4, but demanded cer-
tain certificates of good character
from us, which we good-naturedly
gave over Gerry Browns vigorous pro-
test, willing to have peace at any
price even to sne extent of doing the
manifestly absurd act Of certifying
under our own hand and seal our good
intentions toward the cause of pop
uiism.
This done, tie mid-road committee
named A. G. Burkhart as temporary
chairman of the convention and re-
ported to our committee. That caused
an explosion in our camp. POpulists
haye-as 1t seems to mean unreal
sonable prejudice against the practice
OF allowing the national committee
to suggest the name OF a temporary
chairman. 1t always has looked TO
me that suggesting temporary chair
man Is no more machine" politics
than fixing tho representation. But
the prejudice exists-and there's lit
tie use arguing about 1t.
Here again Gerry Brown and
number OF others protested vlgor-
ously: but after some discussion Il.
was decided to- concede the point ana
name the temporary secretary. was
named as the victim. We drew our
resolution recommending as tempo
rary chairman. A. q. Burkhart OF
Indiana" etc. and reported to tho
other meeting.
Mr.. Bnrkhtrt Immediately de-
nopnccd the whole thing ns a damna-
bic scheme of the fuslonIsfs 10 swal-
low them whole without the usual
formality Of greaslng them behind tho
ears-or words 10 that effcct--anL alb
solutely refused 10 act.
Then hell broke loose for season.
A motion was made TO reconsider tho
action choosing Springfield. July I.
The vote was taken during a period
OF Intense planetary disturbance n I.
our down-east astrologers will "
nit me 10 refer to their