New-York tribune., 1896-10-20
WATSON COCK OF THE ROOST
POPOCRATs SUDDENLY WAKE Up TO
HIS IMPORTANCE.
ANXIOUS NOW TO APPEAsE HIM AS THE LAST
HOPE OF THE BRYAN CANVASS.

ANXIOUS NOW TO APPEAsE HIM AS THE LAST
HOPE OF THE BRYAN CANVASS.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNE.l
Atlanta. Ga. Oct 19-Thngs seem TO be
coming Tom Watson's way at last He had the
leaders of his own party. who have been trading
him off here and there with the idea that he
was harmless so badly worried that they sent a
committee post-haste from Chicago to Thomson
to pacify him Now he has the Popocratfc man.
ayers who have been ridicuing his demands.
worse worried STILL and they have dispatched
representative here to make terms with him, IL
possible
Washburn and Reed the Populist committee
men who went to Thomson to mollify Watson.
returned here at noon to-day having spent sun
day with their Vice-Presdental candidate. AT
almost the same hour Clark Howell. Georgias
representative the Democratic National COM
mittee, stepped off the train from Chicago. The
three met II by appointment in the editorial
rooms Of The Atlanta Constitution. where they
were joined by ]. w. Robertson Democratic
elector-at-arge: Patrick Walsh. Editor Of The
Augusta Chronicle" and James s. Sibley, secre-
tary OF the Populist State Committee. The party
remained closeted together for an hour. at the
end of which time they all declined to talk Of the
subject under discussion. with the exception of
Committeeman Howell. who admitted that the
question Of fusion in Georgia was considered. but
declared that neither side had made any definite
proposition and that nothing would he done
until the meeting of the Democratic state Com
mittee tomorrow.
Last week the Populist State Committee issued
an address formally Offering to fuse with the
Democrats Bryan and Watson ticket. to
consist of Democratic and six Popuiist
electors. They gave the Democrats five days to
accept the proposition. and the limit expires to-
morrow night. At noon the Democratic State
Committee will meet. and with Committeeman
Howell present as Chairman JonesS personal
representative to urge fusion. 1t Is considered
here extremely likely that fusion II VIII he. That
the PopOcratc managers must he badly fright
ened at the situation elsewhere Is shown by the
mere willingness 10 discusi fusion in Georgia.
where the Popust vote Is not needed 10 carry
the State for Bryan. and the only effect OF when
would be 10 appease Watson and mollify the
midde-of- -the-road Populists in some Of the
doubtful States.
The truth is the Bryan boomers have come 10
regard Watson "A serious factor. SO have the
Populist leaders who deserted him. So have the
Georgia Democrats. who have spurned and WILL
fed him These have all at OrCe woke up ~ the
fact that Watson holds the balance OF power
politically speaking They know that II he with
draws from the ticket thousands of Populists in
Kansas Indiana North Carolina. Alabama. Ten
essec and in other States would either stay at
home or vote for Mckinley on Election Day
They know that il he stays on the ticket and
fights the fusions which he deems unfair To him-
self in Kansas. Indiana. North Carolina ana
other close States Bryan cannot possibly he
elected II j. stated here on the best of authority
that this view OF the situation has suddenly
dawned upon not only the Democratic National
Committee. but upon William j Bryan himself.
Washington. oct. Ex-senator Butler has writ
ten a letter 10 Thomas l.. Watson at Thomson.
Ga. informing him that. all statements to the
contrary Notwithstanding. his letter OF accep-
tance had not been received by the chairman OF
the Peoples Party Committee