The morning times., 1896-10-03
WATSON { REMIl!5 8 SILENT !.
Refuses to Confirm the Rumor
That He WIN Resign.
MAY TALK NEXT WEEK
Declares That His Withdrawal Would
Defeat tBryan-HowL Local Politicians
Regard tile Deepening Tail End
Muddle-They Do Not Believe the
Georgian Win Step Out.

Atlanta Ga, Oct. 2.-Thoinas +. Wat
sou will neither affirm nor deny the re-
port that he contenplates retiring from
the Populist ticket. -t.-
To representative of the United As
sociated Presses he said this morning
that he had no comment to make as to
published reports, further than to state that
his retirement would defeat Bryan because
middle OF the road Populists would vote
for Mckinley before they would for Sewa!l
Watson says that he has been badly
treated in fusion arrangements which have
been made South and West. If be con-
templates any move he will not announce
1t uu,il after the Georgia State election,
next Wednesday.
The position of Thomas E. Watson in
the campaign present aud future appca RS
TO be giving the politicians unnecessary
trouble. IL WIS talked of considerably V
yesterday, even 20 the extent OF asking some
expression of opinion from the doughty vice
presidential candidate himself, who replied
that, If he Withdrew, or were asked TO
withdraw, it would Result in the defeat Of
Bryan.
Mr.. Watson's interview was further clari-
fled by the statement that if he talked
ut length on the subject of his withdrawa
IL would be after the Georgia election,
which takes place next week.
AT Democratic headquarters they are
cherishing the hope that Mr.. Watson viii
withdraw voluntarily, because there is no
other way by which that result can bc
effected. The reason for this is that
when the executive committee OF the Pco-
Pies party, whose nominee Watson is,
caine TO this city. its first declaration and
final one with reference TO Watson WAS
that he was the Vice Presidential candidate
of the Peoples party, and that his name
would be found on the ticket on election
day. This is to all appearances 1.-The
contract" at st. Louis between Senator
Jones and Senator Marion Butler, to
which Mr. Watson has referred "a his
speeches within the past week.
WHERE HE Is STRONG.
III is pretty well understood that, II Wat
son is successful In Georgia, lie will have
more electoral votes than ScwaiI in States
which are To be relied upon for Bryan
And even il Watson should not sut,eei in
Georgia he will be in no worse plight than
was Sewall when he lost the Stat. ,,r
Maine.
The difference WILL on the contrary, hc
largely In favor of Watson, because even
the Democrats know that, with the Zee. mt
plight the Georgia party is In by the ap-
peal OF Governor Atkinson for the colored
vote, Watson, or rather the Peoples party
ticket In Georgia, will be elected or come
very near it, near enough. in TACT, TO demon
strate the strength OF Mr.. Watson. Nor is
it likely that with Watson practically die
Jating terms in Indiana and abou t To renew
his canvass in Kansas, that he has any
idea or withdra wing.
1t is also natural to presume, ,.as a friend
OF Mr. Watson said yesterday, that the
Polfriist party, 50 far, has made all the
sacrifices for Mr. Jones, while Mr. Jones
has affected to consider MIR. Watson on a
parity with Mr. Hobart
MUST MAKE CONCESSIONS.
Another way in which the value or the.
Peoples party is looked at is that in nearly
all the States which are sure for Bryan,
the Democracy owe that fact TO the Pee
pies Party, and that if there are to be any
concessions hereafter they must come from
the Democratic party.
Among the prOinlneut Populsts in town
yesterday was Chairman Brown of Massa-
chusetts. Mr.. Brown is not an enthusiast
on Massachusetts for Bryan victory, but
lie said last night that there was strong
probability that the Demo cracy would
elect their nominees IN the sixth and
Tenth Congressional Districts.
Mr.. Brown is CaidIdate for Congress
in the Twelfth district, and is putting up
strong fight. He was one OF the actire
leutenants of Fred Williams In the recent
stroke of policy by which 1t is claimed that
the fusion elements dowued the local Dem
oCratic regime.
None of the authorities at PEOPLES partv
headquarters are willing to discuss the
present attitude of Mr.. Watson. There is
disposition evidently to hear from Mr.
Watson first. but his reply to the sug-
gestion OF Il forcible retirement eau be
anticipated.