The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-19
TOM WATSON QUITS
THE KANSAS TICKET
tie Sends Telegram 10 the Middle o.
the Road Committee.
REED AND WASHBURtI AT ATLANTA
Their Mission is to Check a PrObab bic
Fusion of Republicans and POpu.
lists in GeOrgia..WatsOn May Go
on the Stump ut Virginia Next
Week.

Topeka, KaS., Oct. 1S.-Yesterday
Abe Steinberger, secretary of the Mid
die of the Road Populst committee, re-
ceived this telegram from Thomas +.
Watson dated at Thomson, Ga:
Hand this to the secretary of state. Do
not certify my name on the Abilene ticket
TO the county clerks. My affidavit with
drawing my name was mailed you.
Thomas Il. Watson.
Atlanta, Ga, Oct. 1S-George +.
Washburn and Fl. w. Reed. members
of the National Populist executive COM
mittee arrived here last night on their
. way to see Thomas T.. Watson.
Both Mr.. Washburn and Mr.. Reed de-
clined to discuss their mission beyond
saying that there were certain POLITICAL
| matters concerning which they desired
tn consult with Mr.. Watson.
Mr. Reed said that he signed the re-
cent address to the Populist party be-
cause at the time it was the best thing
that could be done. Neither he nor
Mr.. Watson We're satisfied with the
fusion arrangements made in the West
by the Populist leaders, but Mr. Reed
had come to the conclusion that an at
tempt to break ii would injure Bryan
ana the silver cause. One purpose of
their visit to Georgia is to checkmate
the efforts of the Republicans to get
fusion with the Populists.
Mr.. Reed believes Mr.. Watson will ac-
cept the situation when he gets the
account from Mr.. Washburn. A move
ment Is on foot now between the Dem
ocrats and the Populists of Georgia to
tuse. This will be discussed at the con-
ference between Watson and WASH
burn and Reed. Watson's plans are
plastic. He may go on the stump in
West Virginia next week. Everything
depends upon the result of the con-
ference.
REED AND WASHBuRN ARE SHY.
Thomson, Ga, Oct. 1S.-The much
heralded trip of Committeeman Reed
ana Washburn eliminated at Thomson
al noon today where they were met and
driven at once to the home of Mr.. Wat
son. Tonight they We're seen in COM
pany with Mr. Watson at his home.
and Mr.. Washburn said: I'VE have
nothing to give out to the public. We
nave spent a quiet day in private con-
suitation and have greatly enjoyed the
day in this genial Georgia climate"
Mr.. Watson was asked If he would re-
turn to Atlanta tomorrow with Messrs
Reed and Washburn and said he would
not go before Tuesday. Mr.. Reed said:
'Nr. WaShburn and l will return to
Atlanta tomorrow and if there Is any
statement that we desire to make pub
lie, we will make 1t there, though | do
| not know that there will be any"
Mr. Washburn added: THE newspa
pers seem disposed to attach a signifi-
canoe to our visit 10 Mr.. Watson that
is hardly justified by the circumstances.
There has just been held u meeting of
| our nationa! executive committee at
Chicago ut which was issued an address
To the public, bearing on the campaign.
1t seems most reasonable that after
such action Il subcommittee should
, come TO report to our candidate. who
was not present at the meeting, all that
tranSpired there. to give him all of the
details of the meeting which brought
about the address we issued to the pub
lie. to exchange views with him on the
situation and to consult with him as to
the future of the campaign. If there
should be anything of a public nature
resulting from our conference or any
statement regarding any future steps
in the campaign. that we desire to give
to the newspapers we will do so tomor-
row in Atlanta" Turning to Messrs.
Reed and Watson he said: THAT COW
erS the case, does ii not?' and both re-
piled in the affirmative.
Messrs. Reed and Washburn will re-
main the guests of Mr.. Watson at his
home tonight and return to Atlanta to-
morrow morning.
WATSON'S LETTER.
Washington. oct 1S.-This evening
Senator Butler, chairman of the Popu-
list national committee said to a re-
porter for the United Associated Press
es that he had not yet received Mr.
Watson's letter in response to his own
notifying the Georgian of his nomination
presidency by the st. Louis convention.
Senator Butler said he did not care
TO, coment upon the telegram from
Thomson, published this morning, in
which Mr.. Watson vas quoted as say
ing that he had mailed the Letter to Mr.
Butler last Wednesday and that it