The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-18

tloh OF Bryan, which both profess to put
apoVe everything else, more certain.
rms theory of the events that have
been taking place, both in Chicago and
at Thomson during the past week is he
heVed to be sustained by the announce
ment to-day that Chairman Jones of the
national democratic executive committees
VIII meet Mr.. Watson in Atlanta on next
monday, together with Mr.. Washburn
ana other leaders, for the purpose of a
conference. The subject of the confer
ence, it is said, will be the mutual con-
sent OF both Mr.. Watson and Mr.. Sewau
to retire
Another thing that is suggestive of
something of the sort, is the visit of Col.
j. W. Robertson and Judge J. J. Hunt,
denocratlc electors for the state-at-large,
ana Col e. P. Howell to the home of Mr.,
Watson to-day. Col Robertson returned
TO Atlanta tonight, but refuses to di-
Vulge information as to the purpose of
ms visit to the populist leader, although
IL is stated that the visit was at the re-
quest OF Senator Jones to make arrange
menus Tor the conference next Monday.
Col Robertson declares, however, that
ne does not know whether Chairman
Jones is coming to Atlanta to meet Mr..
watson on Monday or not In reply to
the question whether he believed
Mr. Watson could be induced to
retlre, however, he made the significant
reply that he did not believe that there
was anything on earth that could get Mr.
watson to get out of the way unless Mr.
SeWal would also retire In that event.
ne SAID, he was satisfied that Mr.. Watson
would recall his letter of acceptance
winch is in no event to be made public
until after the conference on Monday, and
then turn in and help in the election of
Bryan with no running mate a all, or with
a new man, against whom true populists
could haWA IA
Mr. Sewal. The withholding of Mr.
Wason's letter Of acceptance is another
thing which is believed to indicate that
this is the line of action that is being pur-
sued.
When asked If the visit of the democratic
leaders to Mr.. Watson to-day and the con-
templated visit of Chairman Jones to meet
Mr. Watson here on Monday had any
bearing upon the demands of the populists
for fusion in Georgia, Col. Robertson de-
clared that it most certainly had not. The
state executive committee of the demo-
cratic party has been called to meet here
on Tuesday, but Col. Robertson said that
even if the committee should be disposed
to favor the populist demand, which was
totally out of the range of probabilities,
he for himself would refuse to retire from
the electoral uck~t, and Judge Hunt, the
other democratic elector for the state-at
large, had said he would also refuse to
recognize any such authority on the part
of the committee. THE state can choose
the democratic electoral ticket" said Col.
Robertson, "and the committee has not
semblance of authority to remove them.
In fact, do not believe the state commit
tee will even take any notice of the popu-
list demand, which / understand has not
yet been transmitted to our committee
| anyway"
To-days developments relating to Mr.
- FI.,F
he played a very important part in the
meeting of the state committee of his par
ty here last Thursday at which the prop
osition for fusion with the republicans was
discussed Col. Buck, for the republicans,
made direct proposal to the populist
committee that he would furnish all the
money necessary to make an elaborate
| campaign if the populists would take
down part of their electors and divide with
the republicans. He stated that he had
the cash for the campaign assured and
the populist committee was so impressed
with the opportunity to administering
blow to the democrats and play for even
on the late state election that on a vote
six members of the committee agreed to
accept the proposition. while only five OPP
posed it. At this critical stage the minority
succeeded in having the deal put off for a
few hours and Mr.. Watson was appriZed
of the situation by wire. Immediately ne
sent back a volley that knocked the mis-
guided committee off its feet and squelch-
ed Bucks plan to consolidate the popu-
lists. republicans and gold standard demo-
Gratis against the Bryan and SewaH cleo
tors In this state. To-day, however, ColBuck
and Chairman Cunningham of the popu-
list committee have been in conferences
again. and it is possible that the WHY
leader of the Mckinley forces has NOT
vet completely abandoned the hope OF
II hoe n1 1Gn
that Seab Wright took such determined
stand when he found out that the ma
iority Of the committee was in favor Of
selling out to Buck and his gold that he
has been given the marble heart by the
recent managers Of his campaign for the
governorship, and Will hereafter be lett
out OF all conference Of the party leaders
Mr.. Wright has admitted this much to
friends, it is understood, and will not
hereafter attempt to take any part with
his erstwhile political associates.
The movement on foot between the dem
ocrats and the populists of Georgia to
fuse will be discussed at the conference
between Messrs Watson and Nashburne
and Reid tomorrow. Mr. Watson's plans
are now plastic. He may go out on the
stump in the west next week Everything
depends on the result Of the coming con-
ference He has wired eX-Gov. Buchanan
of Tennessee not to take any steps before
next Tuesday. A prominent populist here
says: "AGr Watson would come down in
a minute If he could advance the silver
cause and properly protect his party II
he were to retire the first cry of his own
party men would be that he had sold out.
To dsprove this the democrats will have
to make complete sacrifices, and possibly
may have to bring down some Of their
congressmen in this state and support pop
ulist candidates. We realize that this IS
hard TO accomplish, but the populists can
not be expected TO make all the sacrifices.
Hanna is playing a hand here, and If 1t
we're not for Mr. Watson and some Of his
close friends, fusion with the republicans
would have been made, but the goods
could not be delivered" Messrs. Reid and
Washburne expect TO return here on Mon
day.
Mr. Reed said to-day that he signed the
recent address to the populist party be-
cause at the time 1t was the best thing
that could be done Neither he nor Mr..
Watson were satisfied with the fusion ar
rangements made in the west by the pop
ulist leaders, but Mr.. Reid has come to the
conclusion that an attempt to break 1t up
would injure Bryan and the silver cause.
NuAnGON,s LETTER WITHHELD.