Evening star., 1896-11-12
WATSON AND BUTLER
What the Publication of the Formers Letter
Means.
A Fight for Control of the Peoples
Party Between the
Two.

The publication of Tom Watson's letter
of acceptance in his own paper causes no
surprise in political circles. The popuist
leaders have been expecting Mr.. Watson
to publish the letter, accompanied by an
'1-told-you-so' view of the situation. They
were confident that Watson would take ad-
vantage of the defeat Of Bryan to exploit
his own wisdom and the folly of Senator
Butler in managing the campaign that is
over.
Senator Butler is out of the city, and it
Is not known what action he will take in
regard to Mr.. Watson's criticisms of him.
He may answer Mr.. Watson in his North
Carolina paper. The effect Of Mr.. Watson's
attack on Senator Butler, however, is to
widen the breach that exists between the
two men and to make warfare from now on
a certainty.
When Mr.. Watson's letter reached Sena-
tor Butler after the delay in the post Of
tice the Senator went over it carefully with
Secretary Edserton Of the populist national
committee. They saw nothing In the first
part of the epistle to which they could
make serious objection. The letter, 1t is
stated was an adroit piece of work. typical
of Watson. 1t was characterized by intense
prejudice against the democrats Toward
the last part there was page devoted to
an attack on Sewall, who was said to be a
tool of Wall street and put on the ticket to
catch the Cleveland democrats. Watson
viewed the election of Sewall with alarm
saying that If Bryan should be elected and
die the country would be in the hands Of
another Cleveland.
Was In Favor of Mckinley.
After appealing to the prejudices of the
populist voters and arraying them against
the democrats. Watson closed his letter
with what Senator Butler construed as ad-
vice to populsts not to support the fusion
tickets in the different states.
Senator Butler wrote TO Mr.. Watson. it is
said, objecting to the tone of the letter and
to the closing part as dangerous to Bryan
and the peoples party. He said he would
urge no more than personal objection to
the tone, but would not consent to give the
letter out for publication, unless Mr.. Wat
son changed what Senator Butler rega rded
as advice to poIulists to not vote the fu-
sion tickets. Mr. Watson never answered
the letter, and his letter Of acceptance was
never made public until now. Senator But
Ter has been besieged with newspaper men,
who asked for the letter, but he has declin-
ed to give It out. 1t Is said the Senator had
70 objection to the criticisms of himself
made by Watson, as he felt that he had
MIR. Watson beaten Oh the question of
policy each one had adopted.
4 Fight for Mastery.
From now on there will be a hard fight
for mastery in the peoples party between
Butler and Watson. They will both play
for four years from now. Senator Butler
Is believed in this city to have the best of
the beginning Of the contest. The dispute
between the two men is 10 be settled over
the policy each adopted in the campaign.
1t is claimed that in every state in which
Senator Buffers policy was fully carried
out the popuhsts profited in more ways
than ever before; that they secured more
congressman, governors and state officers
than ever in their history. This was by
means of a close fusion in the close states
W atsons policy was against fusion, and
the consequence was, it is claimed that his
party was laid In a grave in Georgia.
Texas, Tennessee, Alabama and all states
where his advice was taken.
Watson will keep up the fight, and will
leave nothing undone to cripple Butler. The
war Will get merrier "a the time approaches
for the next campaign. In the meantime
and while the discussion is fresh, Senator
Butler may conclude to give out all the
correspondence which passed between Wat
son and himself, and let the public pass
upon that.