Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-10-04

not the wish of any one that watson
should withdraw at this stage OF th'
campaign.
II Is this very fact that opens the pos
sibility, in the opinion OF some, that MI
Watson may intend to Withdraw wat
son has been extremely peryerse, ana Il
would not cause great surprise II ne
should withdraw, now that MS WIFI
drawal would contribute 10 the coilu
sion of the campaign.
When both sides became CONVINCED tna'
neither of the vice-presidentlal Candidates
would withdraw. they proceeded on tha'
assumption, and everything mas peeu
done with the idea of there being TWO
candidates in the field. The withura"a'
of Watson would add confusion.
The course of Watson has excited the
suspicion and open criticism or the IN
tense silver men of all three OF the rae
tions. He has undoubtedly done Bryan
great harm already, and some regard IL
as possible that he might even go SO Tar
as 10 get OFF the ticket II his ADVISORS
thought that would hurt Bryan stili more
He might withdraw, and with letter
declaring a lack OF confidence In Bryan,
or he might make his withdrawal con-
tingent upon Sewall doing so also. know
ing that Sewall would not accept the
challenge. This would then give an OPP
portunity to accuse the Democrats OF
bad faith, and possibly cost Bryan some
Populist support. Populists do not be-
Iieve that this is Watson's intention.
CONFERENCE LAST WEEK.
Mr.. Reed, the Populist national COM
mitteeman OF Georgia, who is personal
friend of Watson's. was here last week
I'm conference with Chairman Butler
hat al al IL nor nOSltlVplX
known, except that 1t related TO the
course to be followed by Watson during
the rest of the campaign, and that the
two agreed on that point.
From what has gone before, however,
II is easily inferred that the course sue-
gested for Watson was to cease exciting
trouble between Populists and Democrats,
and saying things injurious to Bryan.
But just at the time this conference
was IN progress between Reed and Butler,
Watson wrote the letters TO New York
paper. which have given more offence
TO the Bryan people than anything he
had previously said.
The conference In Atlanta Yesterday be-
tween Watson and his friends. which gave
rise to the report that Watson would
withdraw. was undoubtedly conference
with Reed. who had just returned from
Washington. 1t is quite likely that what
Reed had to say was not agreeable to
Watson. or at least not agreeable to his
advisers, who are credited with exciting
all the trouble. and it may be that trouble
arose In the conference which might
make the Georgia candidate withdraw in
a pet.
Whether this is true or not. none OF the
officials here are informed, but II is ac-
knowledged that Watson's withdrawal at
this time would indicate a purpose on his
part to injure Bryan.
What is wanted Of Watson now is as
much silence and inactivity as possible.
II Is difficult TO account for the action
Of Mr.. Watson. and II is causing uneas-
ness among Democrats. Populists, and
Silver Republicans alike. Those Populists
who deprecate Watson's course do not
charge him with being in sympathy with
Bryan's enemies. but think that he Is in
fuenced by men who profess great friend
ship for him. and. securing his confidence.
induce him to do things Injurious TO the
ticket he processes to support. An indi-
cation of how some Populists feel about
The matter is given In letter from
Colonel kolb. Of Alabama, in which. ar
ter declaring that Alabama is sure Tor
Bryan. he says that only few leaders
who are at heart for Mckinley are
making any trouble.