Evening star., 1896-09-11
CANDIDATE WATSON
His Course Does Not Please the Pop
ulist Leaders Here.
THE SITUATION OUT IN KANSAS
Ex-Rep. Harris Says the Second
Convention is Mistake.
SENATOR BUTLER'S POSITION

Candidate Tom Watson's course in his
western campaign is not suiting the popu-
list managers here, and it is said that
something sensational may drop before
long. Senator Butler is placed in an en-
barrassing position about criticisinS the
Georgian but there are other leaders who
are not so fixed, and who do not hesitate
to talk One of these leaders was at pop
ulist HEADQUARTERS today and had con-
ference with Senator Butler. He Is ex-
Representative Harris of Kansas, promi-
nently spoken of for the Senate at the time
of Senator PETERS election.
The Kansas Situation.
The news from Kansas of the calling OF
another populist convention was received
at headquarters today. 1t was In the nat
ure of a surprise to some. The convention
Is called to put out an electoral ticket for
Bryan and Watson in opposition to the
fusion ticket. which was agreed on some
tims ago by populists and democrats by
that fusion the populists got the state
offices ard the democrats the electors; the
democrats agreeing to vote for whichever
candidate for Vice President had the most
votes in the electoral college. The fusion
did not suit some of the populists and they
took action yesterday on the arrival OF
Watson in that state.
They Differ About 1t.
Chairman Butter and Mr.. Harris differ
somewhat in their opinions about the sit
uation in Kansas. and the calling of A
new convention. To a Star reporter to-
day Mr.. Harris said: This latest move
ment in Kansas is engineered by a let of
disgruEtled men, ard will not amount to
anything. The same set tried to get up
an opposition ticket in 1894, but did not
succeed. Whenever they cannot have
their own way they take few matches
and sulphur and start a factory of their
own. OF course, such Il movement 1em-
porarily checks enthusiasm, and might
do little harm-'
How about the course of Candidate
Watson?"
Il am free to say that Mr.. Watson is
making mistake personally, and is hurt
ing his party. The western people ard
the western populists are determined that
want anything like discord brought in
their ranks 1 also want to say that all
combinations with gold standard democrats
and republicans on electoral tickets or
Congressman is absolute destruction to the
party 1t Is an abandonment of every
principle of the party. and will result, if
it Is done, in ruin
Senator Buffers Position.
Senator Butler said. in answer to a ques-
ton. that the national committee would
not sanction the calling of another state
convention in Kansas, except as a last
resort. He said there was much dtSSatiS-
faction in Kansas over the fusion arrange
ments and that a change was demanded.
He thought that the electoral ticket ought
to be divided. He had been working the
matter through me state committee. which
he thought would be able to settle the
trouble He would not approve of another
state convention. He did not see why the
state offices could not be divided between
populists and democrats and the electoral
ticket arranged the same way. The pop
ulist ne tier al committee, he said, would
insist a fair division of the electors
everywhere. No fusion where Watson
hasn't the same show as Sewall would be
countenanced.
In His Own State.
Senator Butler denied today that there
had been any fusion in North Carolina
between the republicans and populists on
Congressman, was published in dis
patches today. He said the probability was
that there would be pepuiist nominee
In every district in North Carolina. If the
republicans supported any Of the populist
norlinees 1t would be because the popu-
lists would support republicans for state
or county offices.
I've are determined" said Senator But
Ter, that the democrats shall not get hold
OF the state administration, but at the
same time We are determined that the
state shall not go for Mckinley We are
also determined that the democrats shall
not control the legislature. Whatever may
De said OF the populists it can not be said
that they will support Mckinley"