Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-10-27
NEGOTIATIONS OFF.
NOTHING MORE WILL BE DONE To
PLACATE PoPULisTs.
WATSON IN SILENT DISGUST.
He VIII Remain SO, Practically,
During the Rest OF the Campaign.
His Letter of Acceptance Probably
Not to Appear.

ATLANTA, GA, October a6.-Au tho
negotiations which were being conducted
Dy Western-Chairman Washburn. OF the
Populist National Committee. represents
ing Candidate Watson. and Chairman
Jones, Of the Democratic National Com-
mlttee' for the purpose OF soIldifying tha
Middle-of-the-Road PopuIists for Bryan.
were ofiicialiy declared at an end to-day
by Mr. Washburn in an interview with
reporter OF the Southern Associated
Press. The Democratic State committees
OF Georgia and Tennessee are blamed for
the negotiations. Mr.. Watson will spend
the remainder OF the campaign practi-
ealiy In silent disgust, and his Interest,"
ing letter OF acceptance will not likely
appear in public to hurt the candidacy Of
Mr.. Bryan.
Mr. Washburn said: "The negotiations
which were pending between Senator
Jones and myself are all on now. Thera
were few States where fusion was
pending and we were trying TO consum.
mate arrangements. When / visited
Georgia l saw that II was virtually es-
complications
should be adjusted at once. so that the
solid vote Of the MiddIe-of-the- Road
Populists might be secured for Bryan.
Upon my return, while We were ar
ranging these matters, it was flashed
over the wires that the Georgia and
Tennessee Democrats had rejected all
overtures made by the Populists. and
adjourned without making n counter-pro-
position. This was most unfavorabe, as
1t occurred at a time when Il seerne1
apparent that all complications would he
removed our people satisfied and Bryans
election made certain. As these two
States were involved. this action rem
dered it impossible for ms TO continue
negotiations. They We're broken of and
a conference arranged with Mr.. Watson
and Mr. Reed, st Nashville, that might
report TO them the facts Of the CASE
"The responsibility for all this must
rest squarely upon the Georgia and Ten
nessee Democracy. They seemed more
anxious TO beat the Populsts than TO
elect Bryan, and whatever the results.
the odium OF their unpatriotic action
must rest upon them.
JONES ALL RIGHT.
'In all Justice TO Senator Jones, I must
say that from the beginning he has been
eager to remove all complications, and
effect an equitable fusion in every state.
He has always shown a much greater
degree OF patriotism in these arrange
ments than the State committees of his
party, who We're more anxious TO make
sure OF their State tickets than they wero
to meet Popullstic committees half way
in perfecting fusion.
There will be no further negotiations.
and whether our people and candidate
they should have been or not. our COM
mittee desires that every Populist shall
prove his patriotism In helping az tho
polls 70 elect Bryan. Just az they did
in nominating him at st. louis.
"This IS no time for the settlement
Of differences. Our duty IS to secure the
triumph OF silver. and every Populst
should do his share. and settle party
differences after election"
"Win Mr. Watson make n speaking
trip TO Kansas or North CaroIina?"
II do not think he will. He has
promised 10 make a few speeches In his
own district for Mr. West, our congress
sional candidate. and l understand that
will close his campaign"
Having received Mr.. Watson's letter
OF acceptance, do you think IL ought TO,
or will be. published|
81 do not see what good would be ac-
complished at this late day by its publi-
cation as Mr.. Watson has made plain
the personal points OF his letter in his
speeches. Therefore. l don't favor its
publica ton"
do the fusion arrangements being
made between the Republicans and Popu-
lists in Georgia meet with your ap,
proval?"
"All those arrangements are made over
the Joint protest os Mr.. Watson, Ma
tional- Committeeman Reed. and myself"