The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-21
Unless Concessions Are Made to the
Niddie-Ro JADE There VIII Be
a Political Sensation.
FUSION KILLED In GEORGIA
PoPULIsT PROPOSITION REJECTED
BY THE DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE.
Former Wanted All the Electors to
Vote for Bryan and Watson, and the
Latter Would Not Consent.

CHICAGO, Oct. 20.-George F. Washburn,
of the Populist national executive commit
tee, arrived here unexpectedly this evening
from Thomson and Atlanta, Ga, where he
and committeeman H. w. Reed had been
in conference with Mr.. Watson, Populist
vice presidential nominee. Dispatches were
received from Atlanta tonight saying that
the democratic fusion confer
ence had been a failure, the Georgia Demo-
cratic committee to-day having positively
refused to accept the Populist plan for
fusion in that State. When informed to-
night of the failure of the conference Mr..
Washburn expressed no surprise. AS he
was to have remained in Atlanta to be pres
ent at that conference, his sudden change
of base was the cause of no little specula-
ton in political circles this evening. 1t is
stated on good authority that Mr.. Wash
burn returned so suddenly for the purpose
of comforting with Chairman Jones, of the
Democratic national committee, and to
place before him in the form of an ulti-
matum two or three propositions from Mr..
Watson looking to the latter's recognition
on the fusion ticket in the different States.
1t is expected that should Mr.. Jones refuse
to favorably consider these propositions, Sc
curing for Mr.. Watson what he believes to
be his rights in the matter, sensational de-
velopments will follow. 1t is stated that
Mr.. Watson is prepared, in the event of
Mr.. Jones's refusal, to take a position
which will prove the political sensation of
the campaign. Mr.. Washburn when seen
this evening refused either to confirm or
deny this story. He said, however, when
asked if he had seen Mr.. Watson's letter of
acceptance:
Eyes, I saw a copy. 1t is interesting po-
litical reading. Mr.. Watson's throat is all
right. He goes to-day to Alabama, then to
Tennessee and then to North Carolina, and
the character of his addresses will depend
upon the results of my efforts. He will
wait to hear from me-"
Were the results of your visit to Mr..
Watson satisfactory he was asked.
Yes, indeed. We delivered to him the
written report sent by his executive which
summarized the work of the committee
and consulted with Mr.. Watson regard
ing the closing days of the campaign and
the future of the party. Mr.. Watson's po-
sition is misunderstood. He will not be
ignored, and his persistency in claiming
the rights of his party has placed him in
a false light. He is a statesman rather
than a politician. H. ideas are high and
Ing. always been opposed to fusion on prin-
c1ple, he has little sympathy with the
methods of practical politics which in
wolves fusion, even though temporary sue
cess may be achieved. In the present cam
paign he appreciates the necessity of MAX
silver forces. He wants Bryan elected and
Mckinley defeated, but to this
he thinks there must be an honorable
union of forces rather than a. surrender.
and that his party must be recognized in
this fight or the fusion arrangements in
the different States will not be ratified by
the people at the polls. The nomination
he received at ST. Louis was forced upon
him to unite our forces, and being at the
head of a larger force than that which
elected Lincoln he demands recognition
and vindication or he will fight. His South
ern pride is aroused, and he would rather
be indicated in his own town, in his own
district, in his own State and in the Ma
ton than be Vice President
IF he cannot be Vice President, would he
accept a Cabinet position?" was asked.
him. He is anxious that his party should
come out of this contest in a manner which
will reflect honor upon it. and he will enter
actively into the campaign for the election
of Bryan if such arrangements can be
made as will satisfy his people. He aptly
puts it thus: Wellington and Butcher can
whip Napoleon, but Wellington wants
Blucher's forces without Butcher He con-
cedes that in any event part of Butchers
forces will go to Wellington, but with
Butcher at the head of his army every man
result would be certain victory. I believe
that should Watson issue a thrilling proc
lamation to his party to line up for Bryan
it would be worth more than the efforts of
a thousand speakers. The Danger to-day is
the stay-at-home vote of the middle-of-the-
road PopulistS. His pen could bring out
have given up, I have undertaken the task
OF bringing this about, and l believe l will
be successful"
A short conference between Senator Jones
and Mr.. WaShburn was held tonight, but
both gentlemen declared that nothing of
importance was done. 1t is understood that
Mr.. Washburn submitted his propositions
to the Senator, but that the latter asked
for time in which to consider them.