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Show THE POLITICAL GOSSIP. O'f all tho dilemmas of all the politicians poli-ticians In the country, that of the Populists, Popu-lists, now holding an alleged National convention in Springfield, Illinois, is the most amusing. Absolutely Impotent now, whereas they have for the last two quadrennial periods dictated both platform and candidate to a great party, par-ty, their plight and bewilderment are comical. The delegates In attendance recognize to the full tho ridiculousness of their "position, and bewail the error through ' which their convention was called before that of tho Democrats. Four years ago thoy had their convention con-vention first, at Sioux Falls; and they not only nominated the candidate for the coming Democratic convention, but laid down the platform for that body, both of which the Democrats were bound to accept It Is possible that those who called this Populist convention conven-tion to meet ahead of tho Democratic convention, had an Idea that they could repeat their performance of four years ago. If they had. they havo had a rude awakenlng from their silly dream, and they exhibit themselveS'as a laughing-stock for the public. "Whenever a party gets to that position, it might as well go out of business. In the meantime, the Democrats are doing the real work for the Populists, and compelling the latter to stand by and look on without any power to take part. The gossip, the pulling and hauling, haul-ing, the sec-saw, first Parker up, and then Parker down; Gorman day and Cleveland djy, with Bryan standing ready with his stuffed club to hit whichever head comes up, with equal vigor and entire Impartiality It all makes an Interesting spectacle. Many preliminary battles will be fought out today and tonight, and many plays for advantage will be made. ,The fight for delegates Is on, with contests from many States, that claim that the delegates dele-gates accredited hold their credentials by force and fraud, and that the legal representatives of the Democratic masses are the contestants. The latter will necessarily lose In most cases, for the primary reason that the votes of the fraudulent delegates are necessary to the schemes of the bosses, and for the further reason that a convention that had been purified of fraudulent delegates would not be a right Democratic Demo-cratic convention. |