People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1896-10-30
That Nashville Conference.


this morning unheralded, and finding
no ono at the depot TO meet him,
quietly went to the Dancan,, whtre
he remained alone until nearly noon,
when a local Populist discovered
that he wss there. II. w. Reed,
Populist national committeeman from
Georgia, arrived from Atlanta on the
same train without knowing it, and
went to the Maxwell, while George
+. Washburn, chairman Of the Chi
cago branch of the Populist national
executive committee, came in from
Chicago and put up at the Nicholson.
"Theae three came to Nashville,
however, by agreement, and about
noon got together in Mr.. Watson's
room at the Duncan. They met
again twice during the afte1n oon.
Mr. Watson invariably returned
word to the newspaper men that ne
had nothing to say for publication.
Sin discussing the failure OF Tenn
esssee Democrats and Populists to
fuse, however, he said to Chairman
Buchanaw:Ii ndorse your action. Y on
could have done nothing more or
less and retained your independence
and manhood as individuals or Popu-
lists
"Mr. Reed had but little to say.
He remarked; Il will do my talking
after l get back to Georgia"
ale did say, however, that the
Populists of Georgia were tired OF
the treatment they had been recsiV-
ing, and as they had some independ-
ence, Georgia m glt be lost to the
Democratic state ticket.
'sIt was learned in roundabout
was that Mr.. Watson is still opposed
to any compromise or surrender, as
he calls it.
sMr. Washburn, who seemed to be
the spokesman for the party, said to-
night:
"'I came to Nashville to meet Nj.
Watson and Mr.. Reed and report
the status as to fusion. l returned
IRON Georgia to Chicago to ascertain
from Senator Jones what could be
accomplished regarding the different
fusion masters then held in allegiance,
as we hoped 10 straighten out all
these complication before the cleo
ton, bu. the action Of the G 3orgia
D. No 2rata in refusing to accept the
proposition made BY th9 Popalisre
and in declining to make any coua-
ter proposition, together with the
action of the Democrats in Tennes-
see in refusing to enter into fusion
in this ssate, had rendered it impos
sible for US to continue our negotia-
tions, and they were, then efore, de-
clared Off entirely
"sWe have no hope of con
summating any tf these arrange
ments, and shall make no further eff
tort. We hoped for an honorable
alliance of all the silver forces in all
the states, but we would not submit
to a surrender. 1t seems to be the
policy of the Democrats to earnestly
desire fusion in states whtre our
votes are needed, but they reject our
overtures in States where it is
thought we are not needed for sue
cess. Fusion was desired in Georgia
by our com mittee because OF the
favorable effect it would have out.
side of Georgi8 in doubtful States il
bringing out the Populist vote fol
Bryan. The arbitrary action of the
Democrats in Georgia, Tennessee
Alabama, Virginia and other State
will have a most depressing effect OF
our people who had expected ia
treatment
"'Wil the Populist electors Of
G sorgil withdraw or be withdrawn:
was asked.
"'Wo leave that entirely with tn
Georgia Safe committee said Mi
Washburn.
"'The national committee, as wei
as Mr.. Watson, have protested agains
any such step, but the feeling il
Georgia is very strong, and the com
mittee will probably exercise thai
own judgment in the matter
"'Cannot your committee force a
arrangement? was asked.
"'We have declined to interfere
leavinr il to the Indictment OF til