The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-10-17
TO N0LLIFY TOM WATSON
HIS LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE
It is in Possession Of One Of the Committee
and Publication viii be Deferred
Will Not be Asked to Withdraw
From the Contest.

CHICAGO, Oct. 17.-George f. Washburn,
chairman Of the Chicago branch Of the
Popuhst national campaign committee,
and H. w Reed, the committeeman from
the state Of Georgia, and the personal
friend of Mr. Watson, left for the home Of
Mr. Watson last night Mr. Washburn
had with him the lettor of Mr.. Watson
accepting the nomination of the Populist
party for the vice presidency. The letter
will not, in all probability, be made public
until after the two gentlemen have had
their interview with Mr. Watson.
1t is said on the best of authority that
the actual object of the visit to Mr.. Wat.
son is the desire to have a talk with him
over the general situation, and TO explain
TO him several matters in the conduct of
the campaign from the Populist stand
point that have not yet met with the en-
tire approval of the nominee for the vice
presidency. There will be an effort made
20 get Mr.. Watson TO consent to the removal
of his name from the ticket in favor of
Mr.. Sewall, but there are said to bo a few
wrinkles ON Mr. Watson's brow that
would look better if they were smoother
and it is to smooth them that Messrs.
Washburn and Reed have gone to the
south.
T.
Washburn had been called to account by
Chairman Jones, of the Democratic COM
mittee and Chairman Butler of the Popu-
list committee, and others because of his
persistcncy in demanding the substitution
Of Mr.. Watson for MIR. Sewall on the
national ticket, Mr.. Washburn said;
This is just as willful and malicious a
lie as the statement that our executive
committee submitted its report to Chair
man Jones before issuing it to the public,
or that Senator Jones had authorized our
committee to make any overtures in the
way of cabinet position, or otherwise, to
Mr. Watson TO secure his silence
From the beginning of the campaign
to the present time l have agressively and
fearlessly insisted upon the recognition of
the rights of our candidate, Mr.. Watson,
and of the interests of the Peoples party,
and shall continue to do so until the end
Of the campaign
"lhe statement that there has been any
friction with our Washington headuuar-
ters or with senator Jones is also an in
famous lie. My position has been fully
understood and respected, and notwith-
standing my advocacy of Mr.. Watson's
right my line Of action has been in perfect
harmony with senator Butler and our
committee, and while l have at all times
pressed our rights vigorously upon Sena-
tor Jones, there has at no time since my
arrival here been an unpleasant word be-
tween US or a single misunderstanding
Mr. Washburn, what have you to say
in regard to the telegram from Mr. Wat
son to Mr.. Steinberger, of Kansas, stating
that the middle of the road" Populists
had been sold out, and that their party
had been mEde a footmat for Democratic
politicians
Il do not believe that Mr. Watson said
this or sent such a telegram. If it be true,
he probably had reference TO the state to
which the telegram was sent, because in
that state the Democrats indorsed the
Populist state ticket and the Populist's
legislative candidates, who are to elect
Populist United states senator. This was
done in exchange fora straight Bryan and
Sewall electoral ticket with the under
standing that all the electors shall vote
for the vice presidential candidate receiv-
ing the highest number Of electors outside
of that state.