The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-10-22
ALL PROSPECTS FOR DENIO-POP
FUSION SEEM HOPELESSL1
SHATTERED.
.POPULISTS ASKED FOR TOO MUCH
Was the Opinion of the Democratic
Central Committee. Which Proposes
to Submit Its Case to the Peo-
pie on lis Merits.

state election. when the contending
forces rested on their oars, has there
been such activity displayed about dem
ocratic and populiSt headquarters as was
displayed from the early hours this
morning. Today marked the expiration
of the five days period which the popu-
list state central committee gave the
democrats in which to decide upon their
proposition of a fusion on a Bryan and
Watson ticket, made up of seven demo-
Gratis and six populist electors. 1t was
to decide on this election that the demo-
cratic state executive committee and the
democratic electors were summoned TO
meet at noon today. At the same hour,
Il block away, the populist state central
committee assembled. Early in the
morning a strong division developed in
the ranks of the democrats on the fu-
sion proposition. The Georgia member
of the national democratic committee was
present as Chairman Jones represen-
tative to urge fusion and led the fight
in its favor. while the opposition was
headed by Governor Atkinson and State
Chairman Clay. Both committees went
into secret session at II o'clock. The
first two hours nothing was done. After
protracted meeting the democrats re-
jected the populist fusion. declaring it
to he insulting to the democrats in its
wording. 1t was held that the state
committee has no right to take down the
democratic electors as demanded by the
populistS.
The democratic resolution refusing fu-
sion is rs follows:
Resolved. That the popuist commit
tee has made proposition which COM
pletely ignores fusion by eliminating en-
tirely the candidacy of the democratic
nominee for vice president, Mr.. Sewall,
tees from further consideration of the
question by fixing an arbitrary limit
which expires today, giving this commit
tee no opportunity for consideration of
a movement for proper fusion: therefore.
be il
Resolved, That the chairman of this
committee appoint Il committee of five,
of which he shall be chairman, to prop
erly present to the public the attitude
of this committee in the refusal to ac-
cept the unreasonable and unjust ulti-
matum of the populist committee,
clothed, as it is, in offensive and unbe-
coming language
The ultimatum of the pOpulist central
committee, to which these resolutions
were intended as a reply. was as follows:
Whereas, The peoples party of
Georgia accepted in good faith the st.
Louis compromise. viz: the nomination
of the Hon. w. J. Bryan as the presi-
Dental candidate with the Hon. Thomas
+. Watson, with the tacit understand
ing that this act of patriotism on their
part would he met with Il similar one
on the part of the democratic party III
the withdrawal of Mr.. Sewall and eff
feet complete consolidation of the sill
Yer forces; and.
Whereas, The peoples party OF
Georgia, in their state convention. did
provide for Joint electoral ticket: and
Georgia. the home of the Hon. Thomas
f. Watson. has not made and is not
making any effort to perfect or Obtain
the fusion of forces inaugurated at st
Louis. although such fusion exists il
almost every state in the Union: and.
Whereas, 1t should he their pleasur,
and pride 10 advance citizen of theil
state and section, man who is without
stain. above reproach and whom all fail
minded men esteem. respect and honor
and whose every action in this campaign
has been so patriotic and manly as t.
challenge the admiration of American
manhood; and
Whereas. 1t is our belief that it i
not only the intention of the leaders o
the democratic party of this state to de
feat. but if possible TO humiliate Tn
Hon. Thomas f. Watson. either by
corrupt ballot. as has been manifesto
in the congressional districts. or by PAL
ties in the legislature. setting aside tn
will of the people and forcing Bryan an
Sewall electors on the state. even thong
that ticket should run third in the cleo
ton, and
Whereas, The silver-plated Democrat
press of this state has belittled and belle
| the candidacy of Mr.. Watson and issue
this edict. therefore be it
Resolved. That as a final effort to Sc
cure the union of the silver forces, t
which the democratic party is commit
ted, and to test the patriotism of on
prOfesSed allies. we do now Withdraw
the following electors: William II. Fe
ton. state at large: II. C. Newton, See
ond district: Thomas b. Davis. FOurt
district: W. s. Whitaker. Sixth distric
j. j. Green. Eighth district: William
Landslide. Ninth district and Willal
NJ. Bennett. Eleventh district, and insi.
! that the democratic party of Georgi
withdraw six of their electors. suhstitl
ting the remaining six populist electol
with the understanding that the thrice
shall cast their vote for Bryan and Wa
son: be it further
Resolved. That if the democratic pa
ty does not accede to the foregoing iu
and reasonable proposition within fly
days, then be it
Resolved, That our central commi
tee is authorized and empowered to wit
draw. if advisable. our remaining cleo
ors or reinstate those that are now wit
drawn. and that we concentrate evel
effort of our party in the election of o,
congressional nominees.
Resolved, That copy of these resol
tons be transmitted to the democrat
executive committee.
JOHN d. CUNNINGHAM.
chairman.
JAMES L. SHELLEY.
Secretary"
There was a buzz following the rea
ing of the populist proposition. which i
Dictated strong disapproval of it. r.