Evening star., 1896-09-29
MR.. WATSON'S LETTER
Senator Butler Knows Of No Reply to It Be-
ing Prepared.
Silver Leaders Think the Vice Presi-
Dental Candidate In Trying to Beat
Bryan-PrOsRess Of Fusion.

Chairman Butler Of the populist national
committee was asked today by Star re-
porter if there was any truth in story
published in a New York paper this morn
ing that his committee Is preparing an an
swer to the letter of Watson in the New
York World Of Monday. Senator Butler
said that he knew of no article of that kind
being prepared. The Senator declined to
talk further on the subject.
Watson's latest episode is regarded with
suspicion even by populists. Silver men
say Watson looks like he is trying to beat
Bryan, and some Of them hint things which
are not printed. Senator Butler does not
discuss the article written by Mr.. Watson.
He has long ceased trying to handle the
vice e-preSidential nominee. He never knows
where to put his finger on the Georgian.
good many populist leaders view Natson's
letter with suspicion. They say that II he
is not trying to beat Bryan he Is certainly
doing him no good writing the articles
which appear over his signature
Watson is in position to do powerful lot
Of harm to Candidate Bryan. Some think
he Is mad over the candidates visit to
Sewall. He regards the visit as an indica-
ton that Bryan prefers Sewall to him, and.
like rejected lover, he boils over. He
doesn't stop to think and proceeds to say
what Is in his heart.
1t is believed that Chairman Butler will
make one more effort to curb Candidate
Watson. If he doesn't succeed he may do
something which will lessen the effect Of
what the man from Georgia may say in the
future. Watson, many Of the populist Off
cials think began the campaign as buck
ing broncho and he has not been taued
Nobody can ride him, and it looks like he
cannot be broken The best thing that can
be done with him. they believe, is to hold
him in restraint much as possible.
Fusion is Going On.
While Watson is talking about the mid
dle-of-the-road populists not voting for
Bryan unless SewalI Is withdrawn fusion
continues in the different states. Fusion is
expected to be completed in Indiana today.
An attempt will be made for fusion ar
rangements in Virginia on Friday. If there
is fusion in both these states. the following
states will be the only ones where fusion
has not, and may not, be agreed upon: Ar
kansas, Alabama. Georgia, Florida, Ten
nessee, Mississippi, Maine, Texas and Ne
vaaa. 1t is hoped by the silver men that
arrangements will be made in Tennessee
and Florida. These are close states. They
do not care about the other states.
The states where fusion has been effected
and the number Of electors allotted to each
party as follows CaHfornia-Democrats
5; popuists. 4. Colorado-Denocrats. 2popu-
lists, l. Connec ticut-Democrats. 5; popu-
lists, l. Idaho-Democrats, 2; populists, /.
IIlinos-Democrats, 20; populists. 1. Iowa
Democrats, 10; populists. 3. Kansas
Democrats, TO- acknowledgements. II
populists. =. Observation-Disclosures, 4; pop
ulists, 4. Michigan-Democrats, 10; popu-
| lists, 4. Minnesota-Democrats, 4; popu-
lists. 4: silver republicans, l. Missouri
Democrats. IL; populists, 4. Montana
Democrats, 1; populists, l; silver republi-
cans. 1. Nebraska-Democrats. 4; popu-
| lists, 4. New JerseyzDemocrats, 8; popu-
| lists. l. North Carolina-Democrats, 5; pop
| ulists, 5: silver republicans l. North Da-
kota-Three populist electors indorsed by
democrats. Ohio-Democrats, IS; populists
5. Oregon-Four popuiist electors indorsed
| by the democrats Pennsylvania-Demo-
| Gratis, 2s: populsts. 4. South Dakota-Dem-
ocrats, 2; populists, 2. Utah-Democrats, /
populists, 1; silver republicans, 1. Wash
ington-Democrats 2: populists 2 West
VIrginia-Democrats, g. Wisconsin-Demo-
| Gratis, 8; populists, g.. Wyoming-Demo-
| Gratis, .; populists, l.