The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-10-22
BACK FROM WATsON's HOME.
Populist Washburn Talks of Watsons
Plans.

Chicago Oct. 20.-George F. Wash
burn of the populist executive commit
tee arrived here Unexpectedly this even.
ing from Thomson and Atlanta. where
he and Committeeman II. w. Reed had
been in conference with Mr.. Watson.
Dispatches were received from At
lanta tonight saying the democratic-pop-
Mist fusion conference had been fail
u.c.
Wren informed tonight of the failure
Mr.. Washburn expressed no surprise.
AS he WAS 70 have remained in Atlanta
to be present ut the conference his sud
den change of base was the cause of no
little surprise and speculation in politi-
cal circles this evening. 1t is stated ON
good authority that the reason Mr..
Washburn returned so suddenly was to
confer with Chairman Jones and to
place before him the form of an ultima
tum two or three propositions from Mr..
Watson looking to the latter's recogni-
ton on the fusion ticket in the different
states. 1t is expected that should Mr..
Jones refuse to favorably consider these
propositions. securing for Mr.. Watson
what he believes to be his right in the
matter sensational developments will
follow.
1t is stated Mr.; Watson is prepared,
i'll the event of Senator Jones refusal.
to take Il position which will prove the
political sensation of the campaign.
Mr. Washburn, when seen this after
noon, refused either to confirm or deny
this story. He said, however. when
asked if he had seen Mr.. Watson's let
ter of acceptance:
"Yes, | saw a copy. 1t is interesting
political reading. Mr.. Watson's throat
is all right. He goes to Alabama today;
then to Tennessee, and then to North
Carolina, and the character of his ad-
dresses will depend upon the results of
my efforts. He will wait to hear from
me-"
"Were the results OF your visit to Mr..
Watson satisfactOryT'
"Yes indeed. We delivered to him
the written report sent by his executive
committee, which authorized the work
of the committee. and consulted with
Mr.. Watson regarding the closing days
of the campaign and the future of the
party.
Mr.. Watson's position is misunder-
stood. He will not be ignored, and his
persistence in claiming the rights of his
party has placed him in a false light.
He has always been opposed to fusion
on principle; he has little sympathy with
the methods of practical politics. which
involve fusion. even though temporary
success may be achieved
in the present campaign he appre-
ciates the necessity of making such ar
rangements as will unite the silver
forces. He wants Bryan elected and
;,,l, lnfnntnI Ipt TO nn.nrnnlish
this he thinks there must be an honora
bic union of forces rather than a sur
render. and that his party must he rec
ognzed in this fight or the fusion ar
rangements in the different states will
not be ratified by the people at the polls.
The nomination he received at st. Louis
was forced upon him to unite our forces
and being at the head of Il larger force
than that which elected Lincoln he de
mands recognition and vindication or he
will fight. His southern pride is aroused
and he would rather be indicated in
his own state, in his own district and
in the nation than be vice president
IF he can not be vice president. would
| he accept cabinet positions?
mo. he would not, if it were rendered
| him. He is as anxious that the silver
party should come out of this contest IN
| Il manner which would reflect honor on
| it and he will enter actively INTO tne
campaign for the election of Bryan il
such arrangements can be made as VIII
satisfy his people.
II believe that should Watson issue
thrilling proclamation to his party to
line up for Bryan it would be worth more
than the efforts of thousand speakers
The danger today is the stay-at-home
vote of the mddle-of-t heroad popullsts'
| His pen could bring out the last man,
and now that all others have given up
| have undertaken the task of bringing
this about, and | believe | will be sue
cessful.'
A short conference between Senator
Jones and Mr.. Washburn was held 10.
night, but both gentlemen declared tha.
nothing of Importance was done. IL y
understood that Mr.. Washburn submit
ted his proposition to the senator og.
that the latter asked for time in WHICH
to consider it.