A coalition of Democrats and Populists elected Populist William V. Allen to the Senate. Upon taking power, Mussolini formed a legislative coalition with nationalists, liberals and populists. Some historians see the populists as forward-looking liberal reformers. Last, the Republicans successfully prevented a fusion ticket of Populists and Democrats. In the 1890s, a coalition of Republicans and Populists had gained state and federal offices. Mainstream politicians have sometimes sought to co-operate or build alliances with populists. He attacked the socialism, which had attracted many former Populists. Other than Debs and Bryan, few politicians associated with the Populists retained national prominence. Adherents of the ideational definition have also drawn a distinction between left and right-wing populists. In the South, the Populists fused with the Republican Party. In 1893, bimetallism had been just one of many proposals by Populists and others. He began a dictatorship and purged the state of many populists through proscription. The treatment of Populists by the Democratic Party led to a division in the party. The pro-fusion leaders of the Populists fought back in early 1900. A faction known as the "Populists" emerged in the party under Roy Painter's leadership.