The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-04-02
BRYAN OR SPLIT
THE POP PARTY
Nebraska, Michigan and Min
nesota Delegates Prepared
to Walk Out.
LIVELY TIME Is PROMISED
PoPullST CONVENTION MEETS
I'M ST. LOUIS TODAY.

St. Louis, Mo, April 1.-If the friends
of William J. Bryan are no more sue
oessful tomorrow than they have been
today in their efforts to secure a post
ponement of the Populist convention,
which rs called for tomorrow morning,
three state delegations, those OF Ne
braska, Minnesota and Michigan, Will
bolt the convention.
The decision TO take this action was
reached at a caucus held tonight by
the Nebraska delegates.
r. Walrath, secretary of the Ne
braska state POpulist committee, de-
clared today that Nebraska would
abide by the action of the convention,
but totally different spirit was shown
at tonight's caucus. II was decided
that Nebraska should ask for the adop
ton of a platform. the selection of a
new national committee, and an adj
journment until after the Republican
and Democratic conventions are held.
Decision to Walk Out.
If these things are denied and the
convention proceeds 10 make nominal
lions. Nebraska, which has the full
support of Michigan and Minnesota,
will walk out.
The nights caucus marked the end
effort on the part Of the Bryan people
TO influence i'm his favor the action of
tomorrow's convention. The majOrity
of the delegates rebuffed the Bryan
people at every turn. They refused TO
classify Bryan as anything but a DEM
ocrat, who has no right TO participate
i'm the counsels of the Populist party
or to receive any consideration at its
hands.
A. -oo,, a- ,bo N-ohrogl-a dalaoatio1,
arrived its members demanded a post
ponement of the convention.
Wisdom of Postponement.
Their demand was for a postpone
ment of the convention. They de-
clared that in their opinion the nomt-
nation of candidates at the present
time is premature, and that il would
be wisdom to await the action of the
Republican and Democratic cOnven-
lions before placing a ticket n the
field. They admitted that they are in
minority as compared to the Watson
men, but claimed TO have letters from
Thomas Z. Watson himself, in which
ne expressed the opinion that il was
unWise 10 hold the convention at so
early d date.
The Watson men positively refused
10 listen to any proposal for an ad-
adjournment.
The Bryan people then shifted their
point of attack TO the committee on
credentials, declaring that some men
had come TO the convention without
being regularly accredited by properly
held state credentials.
Will Make Fight on the Floor.
They made no progress in this di-
rectiOn, 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.
The Nebraska delegation arrived
early in the day, but took headquar-
ters al hotel i'm distant part of the
city and did not show up at the Popu-
list headquarters until in the middle
of the afternoon, when they started
their fight for a pOstponement of the
convention.
Coxey Temporary Chairman.
The convention will be called To or
der tomorrow morning at 10 O'Clock i'm
the Olympic theatre by James Ferris. |
chairman of the Peoples party nation
al committee. After an address by
Mr. Ferris, he will turn the gavel over
10 General Jacob $. Coxey of Mount !
Vernon. o. who has been decided I
upon for temporary chairman. John |
:. Allen of Norman. Okla, will be /
chosen secretary. and W. w Wiley of |
Topeka, Kan. sergeant-dt-aTms
For permanent chairman of the con-
ventiOn Frank r. Richey of ST. Louis Z
has been decided upon.
Watson for President.
There seems 10 be no doubt that 1
Thomas f. Watson of Georgia will be 4
nominated for president Judge Sam /
uel W. Williams Of Vincennes, Ind. !
and Frank E. Richey of ST Louis ara 1
the only men mentioned for vice pres |
ident.
After the convention has been or /