Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-19
Mr.. .WATSON'SLETTER
Said to Have Been Mailed to Chair
man Butler Last Week.
EFFORT TO HAVE Him MODIFY IT
The Chicago Address Was Intended
to Discount It.
MORE TROUBLE AHEAD

The political public is wondering what all
the present talk of Tom Watson is about.
All kinds of conferences are reported to
have taken place at the home of the popu-
list candidate. and all sorts of future con-
fabs of the same kind are on the tapis. Yet
nothing definite is given out as to why all
this is taking place. At the same time
comes in Tom Watson's acceptance of the
vice presidential nomination. 1t was said
to have been put In the mails and sent to
Chairman Butler the first Of last week, at
the time Of the meeting of the popullst ma
tiQnal committee at Chicago.
Chairman Butler asserts that he has
Eever had the copy of acceptance in his
hands. and has never seen 1t. Secretary
Edgerton also has not seen 1t. Notwith-
standing this 1t has been announced that
the copy was mailed to Chairman Butler,
and the story Is going the rounds that the
chairman Is suppressing 1t to force Watson
to modify some Of the things said in 1t.
1t Is Full of Pepper.
Whether Chairman Butler has seen the
acceptance or not, 1t Is we'll understood in
political circles that all the juggling which
Is going on now with Watson is for the
purpose of making him rewrite his letter
OF acceptance or modify 1t. The letter Is
said to be full of pepper, and the silver
managers fear 1t will be a dangerous docu-
ment to go to the public now. They are
afraid 1t will do Bryan harm in the states
WHICH are recognized as too close for any
votes to be lost. Among these states are
Kansas and Nebraska. Mr.. Watson is mad
ABOUT the fusion arrangements In Kansas,
and he has promised to leave no stone un-
turned 10 overthrow the existing arrange
ments there. If he cannot overturn things
ne can make trouble in that state. as well
QfSouyhoro un hoc foI1o
everywhere, and they are willing to follow
him in whatever he suggests, no matter
what the cost. The republicans are watch
ful OF openings of this kind. and stand
ready 10 foment whatever trouble Is begun.
The democratic and even the populist man.
ayers see these things; and that's why Wat
son Is being talked to and about so much
Eow."a.
No Love is Lost.
1t is believed that il Watson's letter goes
to the public as it was written It will cre-
ate sensation. To Offset 1t or to prevent
It doing too much harm, the populist man.
ayers of TIE national committee will be
called upon to practically repudiate Wat
SON It Is further believed they will dc
this, II necessary. There has never been
any love lost between Watson and Chair.
man Butler. and If Watson leaves an OPEN
ing MS astute opponent may be depended
on TO Slug him, to use ringside parlance.
Watson will 10 the same for Butler If he
can. N
Whatever the situation may be, the feel.
ing toward Watson IN officia. populist cir.
cies Is anything but. cordial He is looked
upon as dangerous man, and as doing
harm every time he opens his mouth This
1eelins has grown more intense with time
ana with Eatson's pranks, and should
watson attempt a master stroke at the last
minute, as seems tc be scheduled he will
incur the bitter aid lasting enmity of the
strongest men managing his campaign,
1t Is said ir well-credited, circles. despite
nnEt4lS q
cago last week was for no other PURPOSE
than to discount Watson's letter of accent.
aEce 1t was known then what was i'm the
letter, and the committee set to work do
liberately to queer" il and Watson in ad.
vance That is, they hoped they would do
this. The maneurerS- now in progress in
dicate that the process wasn't as much of
now being hunted for. -
There Is nc reason to believe that Wat.
sen means to withdraw his name That is
not why Chairman Jones is reported to be
billed for conference with him. Watson
has stated positively that he intends to
make the race. and every man who knows
him knows that he means what he saws.
In nutshell. Jones and the populist lead
ers are trying to keep Watson's 8 letter from
getting to the public.
There is suspicion that Watson has de-
1ayed giving his letter out to see what is
gong to be done In his state about fusion
He will watch the movements of the demo-
Gratis, and If he finds that they are not sin
cere he will use this pretext for giving
out the letter. which will be full of refiec.
tions on the party: probably on its candi.
date and managers.
The following letter was sent from nonu-
list committee here today:
Washington, d. c., October 10, 1896.
Hon. Thomas E. Watson, Thomson Ga:
Dear sir: Senator Butler notices that Won
are reported in an interview as stating
that you mailed your letter of acceptance
to him at Washington, d. c. on last We'd
nesday, October II.
He requests me to inform you of the fact
that no such letter has been received by
him. Yours truly,
FRANCIS H. HOOVER.