Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-04-02
Peerless Leader is Democrat and Has
No Standing in Party,
MOVE OF NEBRASKA DELEGATES
First Attempt is to Secure Postpone.
ment of Nomination.
REQUEST IS FLATLY REFUSED
Argument that Nothing should ne
Done Until other Parties Name
Candidates is Considered
Valid.
valid.

ST, LOUIS. Mo. April i.-Friends Of Will
| liam j. Bryan today made earnest, but
highly unsuccessful, efforts to influence in
his favor the action OF the populst national
convention, which meets here tomorrow
The majority of the members OF the peo-
pies party and the various reform organi-
cations which will participate in the con
vention Vebuffed the Bryan people at every
| turn. They also refused to classify Bryan
as anything but democrat, who has no
| right to participate in the councils of the
| populst party or to receive consideration
at its hands. Everywhere repulsed the
Bryanites will carry the fight into the con-
vention as last resort.
| Their demand was for a postponement of
tomorrows convention. They declared that.
in their opinion, the nomination of candi
dates at the present time is premature. and
that 1t would be wisdom to await the ac-
ton of the republican and democratic con-
ventions before placing ticket in the field.
They admitted that they are in a minority
as compared TO the Watson men. but
claimed to have letters from Thomas f.
/ Watson himself in which he expressed the
/ opinion that it was unwise to hold the con-
vention at so early a date.
Refuse to Consider AdIOurRment.
/ The Watson men positively refused to
/ listen to any proposal for an adjournment,
although w. r. Jones OF Omaha and A. NJ
Wallng of David City made urgent re-
I quests of the national committee
! that action be taken Later a conference
was held between James fl. Ferris chair
man of the populist national committee, and
Jones. Wallng and e. A. walrath. the sec
retary of the Nebraska state committee,
the three last representing the Bryan in
! terests
Ferris flatly refused to consider the ad-
! journment declaring that the convention
must be held and nominations made. The
Bryan people then shifted their point OF
attack to the committee on credentials, de-
claring that some men had come to the
convention without being regularly ac-
credited by properly held state conventions.
They made no progress in .his direction,
/ and then went again before the national
committee at the evening session OF that
! body, but no comfort was forthcoming.
They then declared that they will carry the
! fight upon the floor of the convention and
seek to bring about an adjournment. Unless
a radical change of sentiment sets in before
the convention meets the chances are
heavily against them.
Attitude of NebrRskans.
! The Nebraska delegates arrived early in
| the day. but took headquarters at a hotel
! i'm distant part of the city and did not
show up at populist headquarters until the
middle Of the afternoon when they started
their fight for postponcment of the con-
venton Their attitude was expressed by
! Mr.. Walrath. who said:
"The Nebraska delegation is not in
| structed to vote for w. j. Bryan as has
been reported. Al our state convention
resolution was passed instructing US to do
all things possible TO further Mr.. Bryans
/ interests
I'VE believe the calling of the convention
at this time was "a mistake and we favor
a postponement until the republican and
democratic conventions have been held. We
have it from reliable sources THAT Mr..
Watson OF Georgia also believes it is i'll
advised to hold the convention now.
! No one knows whether Mr.. Bryan will
! be nominated at Denver OF not; neither do
| we know who the republicans will nomi-
nate. SO we believe the popullsts should
wait until the old parties hold their con
ventions and take advantage of their mis-
\ takes.
But we are loyal populsts," said Mr..
walrath "and if we are defeated in our
efforts to secure a postponement we shall
abide by the decision of the convention anu
support the ticket nominated"
COxeY Temporary Chairman.
/ Tho convention will be called to order to-
/ morrow morning at 10 o'clock in the olym-
! pic theater. by James IL. Ferris OF Illinois,
Chairman of the peoples party national
| committee. After an address by Mr. Ferris
/ he will turn the gavel over to General
Jacob S. CoXey of Mount Vernon, o., who
has been decided upon for temporary chair
man. John S, Allen Of Norman, Okl., will
be chosen secretary, and w. W. Wiley OF
Topeka, Kan sergeant-at-arms.
! For permanent chairman of the conven-
ton, Frank e. Rchey of ST. Louis has been
! decided upon.
There seems TO be no doubt but that
/ Thomas E. Watson of Georgia will be nom
mated for president. and Judge Samuel W.
! Williams of Vincennes, Ind, and Frank e.
Richey OF St. Louis are the only men men
| toned for vice president.
After the convention has been organized
| and the committees appointed an adjourn
mcnt will be taken until tomorrow after
noon, when the platform will be considered
The nomination OF candidates will hardly
! take place before Friday.
| 1t Is doubtful if the resolutions committee
by such a mass of ''planks" as has been
! showered upon that which Is now preparing
the platform for tOnorrows convention
Every delegate seems to be loaded down
with them, and they cover almost every
conceivable subject from the national cur
rency down to plan 70 prevent New
| Yorks 400 from smuggling diamonds
I through the customs house.
The platform however. will be in essen
tials as outlined last night. Present senti-
ment is against any declaration for or
| against prohibition.
The populists OF Missouri held their state
I convention today, adopted a platform and
I named probable nominees for the coming
| primary election. But owing TO the provIs-
ions Of the new primary law the populists
may not be able to place ticket In the
field. John w. Loudon OF Macon. NO. waa
named for United States senator