The herald., 1896-10-21
The Populistic Proposition Was
Too Warm
INSULTING TO DEMOCRATS
Chairman Jones' Representative Moves
to Decline II
The Populists Are Still in Session and
Watson Is With Them, But No
body Will Talk.
Associated Press Special Wire

ASSoSidlcu HIcSS 0peCldl WHO
ATLANTA, Ga. Oct. 20.-Today mark
ed the expiration Of the five days period
which the Populist state central COM
mittee gave the Democrats to decide
upon their proposition for fusion tick
ct to be made up of seven Democratic
| and six Populist electors. To decide on
the proposition the Democratic state ex-
| ecutive committee and the Democratic
electors were summoned to meet at noon
today. At the same hour the Populist
state committee assembled. Mr.. George,
a member of the national Democratic
committee. was present as Chairman
Jones representative to urge fusion. The
opposition was headed by Governor At
kinson and State Chairman Clay. Both
committees went into secret session at
IL o'clock. After protracted and excit-
ing debate the Democratic committee
has rejected the Populist fusion propo-
sition, declaring it to be insulting to
Democrats in the wording. 1t is further
held that the state committee has no
right to take down Democratic electors
as demanded by the PopulistIk The Pop
ulists are standing upon their original
proposition awaiting the formal answer
of the Democratic committee.
The Democratic resolution refusing
fusion is as follows:
Resolved, That the Populist commit
tee having made proposition which
completely ignores fusion by eliminat-
ing entirely the candidacy of the Demo-
cratic nominee for vice-president, Mr.
Sewall, and has cut Off the Democratic
committee from further consideration
by fixing an arbitrary limit which ex-
pires today, giving the committee no op-
portunity for consideration of move
ment for proper fusion; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the chairman of this
committee appoint committee of five
of which he shall be chairman to prop
erly present to the public the attitude of
this committee on the refusal to accept
the unreasonable and unjust ultimatum
of the Populist committee, clothed as it
is in offensive and unbecoming Ian
guage.
The ultimatum Of the Populist central
committee to which these resolutions
were intended as reply was as fol-
lows:
Whereas, The Peoples party of Geor-
gia accepted in good faith the st. Louis
compromise, viz, the nomination of the
Hon. w. J. Bryan as the presidential
candidate on the ticket with Hon, Thos.
e. Watson. with the tacit understand
ing that this proceeding on their part
would be met by similar one on the
part Of the Democratic party by the
withdrawal of Mr.. Sewall and effect a.
complete combination Of the silver
forces; and,
Whereas. The Peoples party Of Geor-
gia in their state convention, in accord
with said understanding, did provide for
a joint electoral ticket; and,
Whereas, The Democratic partv of
Georgia, the home of Hon. Thomas f.
Watson, has not made and is not maxi
ing any effort to perfect or obtain the
fusion inaugurated at st. Louis. al
though such fusion exists in al
most every state in the Union; and,
Whereas, 1t should be their pleasure
and pride to. advance citizen Of their
state and section, a man who is with
out stain, above reproach, and whom all
fair minded men esteem, respect and
honor, and whose every action in this
campaignh has been so patriotic and man
ly as to challenge the admiration of
American manhood; and,
Whereas, 1t is our belief that It Is not
only the intention of the leaders of the
Democratic party in this state to defeat
and If possible to humiliate the Hon.
Thomas e. Watson, either by a corrupt