The morning news., 1894-05-16
BOUND TO PUT UP WATSON.
POpuliStS Present the Rarity Of a
Nomination Seeking the Man.

Watson Anxious to Run His News
paper and Oppose Black for Con-
gress-His AdmirinR Followers In
sist, However, That He Shall Lead
Them in the Gubernatorial Cam
paign-The Convention To-day Prom
ises to Be Lively and Interesting.
Atlanta, Ga, May 15.-Delegates to the
populist state convention which meets in
the House of Representatives tomorrow
at 10 o'clock have been coming in all day.
Tonight there are between 300 and 400 in
theicity, including populist visitors to the
convention. The leaders say they will
show up a thousand strong when the con-
vention opens tomorrow. A good deal of
enthusiasm prevails and to-morrows
events are looked forward to with
lively interest.
Among the conspicuous arrivals this
morning were ex-Congressman Tom Wat
son, Col. w. L. Peek, who led the popu-
list ticket in defeat last year; President
Ellington, of the state alliance; Hon.
Mel Branch, the populist legislator of
Columbia county, and Hon. J. n. Twitty
of Twitty bill uotorlety.
Headquarters have been established at
the Markham house, Mr. Watson having
taken rooms there. Wherever he goes
the crowd follows, and whate yer he die
tates.the convention tomorrow is very
likely to do, IF he can he will get out of
accepting the gubernatorial nomination
himself, which many of his followers
think is out of the question.
HIS NAME THE wATCHwoRD.
In all the little lobby ca ucusses that
have been held during the day Mr.. Wat
sons name has been the watchword, not
withstanding his repeated declarations
that he cannot accept the nomination.
He has said this several times heretofore
in print and since he came in
to-day has reiterated it on every
occasion. He wants to run for congress
in the Tenth district again, and has so
told his friends. Mr. Watson, however,
occupies the peculiar position of being too
popular with his followers, and there is a
very strong probability that he will be
nominated over his protest. In that case
he could hardly refuse, and still retain
his influence as a leader. With this
staring him in the face he
has been using his best efforts
to-day TO prevent the presentation of his
name to the convention tomorrow. He
wants the nomination to go to Judge X.
Hines, although that gentleman has also
declared that he does not want the honor
There is not much doubt, however, that
Judge Hines will accept if it is rendered
to him. Mr.. Watson's plea for refusing
the nomination is that he can be of more
service to the party in other ways He
expects to start daily paper here in a
few weeks, and he holds this out as a
reason for refusing to sacrifice himself on
the gubernatorial altar.
PLENTY OF CANDIDATES
But while Messrs. Watson and Hines
both say they do not want to head the
ticket, though they say their party is
bound to sweep the field, there are a num-
Der of Others on the ground who would
be glad TO lead the forlorn hope. Col
Peek would willingly be the sacrifice
| again Likewise Col. c.. H Ellington,
president of the alliance, would tear his
| shirt to get it. Hon. Mel Branch, of Co
lumbia county, is also receiving little
| boom.
Mr.. Watson will be made chairman of
the convention, which will give him an
opportunity to make a speech.
The opera house has been engaged for
tomorrow night, when Mr.. Watson will
wind up the convention with a speech
| there.