Evening star., 1896-10-28
.MR.WATSON'SLETTER
Why Its Contents Have Not Been
Made Public.
ACCUSATIONS AGAINST Mr.. JONES
Charge That His Promises Have
Not Been Fulfilled.
A ROW IF IT COMES OUT

The democrats figure that If Watson's
letter is not made public before tomorrow
it will do them no serious harm, but they
quietly admit that the publication of it will
do them some harm at any time. All of
them are holding their breath. awaiting de-
velopments.
1t Is now known to be positive fact that
the letter is loaded to the muzzle, as has
been foreshadowed in The Star. 1t accuses
Senator Jones, chairman of the democratic
national committee, of having promised to
withdraw Sewall should Bryan be NOM
mated by the populists. 1t accuses Jones
of double dealing and treachery in numer-
GUS things.
1t is stated by Secretary Edgerton that
Senator Butler declines to make the letter
public on the grounds that the general
tenor of it Is Objectionable. Mr. Butler 1t
Is understood, wrote Mr.. Watson a letter
Monday, telling him his objections to the
publication Of the letter in its present form
and informing him that If 1t was made pub
lie 1t would have to be done by Mr.. Watson
himself. Senator Butler agreed to make
the letter public should the changes be
made In accordance with the desires Of the
Senator.
1t Is positively stated that Senator But
ler's objections to the letter are not because
Watson reflects on the national populist
committee OF on himself. Senator Butler
is willing that whatever Watson says
about him and his management Of the cam
paign shall be read by everybody, as he is
holding ammunition against Watson which
he thinks will blow the Georgian into small
pieces when the fight Is concluded.
Mainly Against Jones.
Senator Butler and Secretary Edgerton
the first time Saturday night Mr. Edgcr-
ton did not see it Monday when he went to
Senator Buffers home for a conference On
the matter.
From all that can be learned Watson's
wrath Is mainly directed against Senator
Jones. The Georgia candidate makes posi-
tive assertions. it is understood. as to what
took place at St Louis, and as to what
was promised by Chairman Jones' He does
not say that such and such was understood
there, but he declares positively that Chair
man Jones made promises which have not
been carried out. Naturally the democratic
ana popullst Bryan managers fear the pub
lication of matter of this kind. 1t would in
cite middle-of-the-road populists every
charges.
At headquarters here 1t is asserted tina.
chairman Jones made no promises at st.
Louis. ard that 1t Is so known to nearly
ton says that it was we'll known that Rry
an telegraphed that he would not accent
Ihe nomination of the convention should
SeWail be not also nominated. This, Mr..
Edgertol says, was freely circulated. Des-
p1te that, he says, General Weaver an
nounced on the floor Of the convention that
the populists would nominate Bryan wheth-
er he desired 1t or not.
Does Watson Want 1t Published.
1t now leaks out that National Commit
teeman Washburn. the personal representa-
tive of Watson. telegraphed Senator Butler
twice last week not to make the letter
public, giving no reasons. One of these
kilograms was from Thomson Ca, and the
other was from Nashville, Tenn. at both
OF which places Watson was present when
the teiegrams were sent. This is construed
as meaning that Watson, after being talk
ed TO by his managers, did not want the
letter published. Watson himself, it is
the matter. and If he has even answered
any of the letters of the populist chair
man 1t is not known.
A Row If 1t Comes Out.
1t is almost a certainty that II Watson
makes the letter public within the next
few days that the last part of the cam
paign will witness big row in the popu-
list camp. which may seriously affect the
election. Senator Butler, as has been in
timated In The Star, will not hesitate to
attack w atson in more virulent style than
the Georgian himself could command Sec
retary Edgerton would join in the attack.
and there would be music in the air for a
few days. Neither of these men have any
thing much but contempt for Watson now,
and they don't care whether 1t is known or
not. They have been willing for Watson
to crack his whip for some time Senator
Buffers desire to have Watson change the
tenor or the letter is to put himself in po-
sition to attack Watson.
That Lack of Postage,
Postmaster Willett, 1t is understood, ridi-
cules the idea that the letter would have
remained in the post Office without having
been sent to populist headquarters with a
notice that it lacked postage. Secretary
Edgerton says 1t can be proven that the
letter was never presented at headquartefs