The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-20
Fusion STRONGLY FAVORED.
THE MATTER TO BE TAKEN UP AT
ATLANTA TODAY.

National Committeeman Clark How
oil TO Speak as the Representative
of Chairman Jones in Favor of a
Joint Electoral Ticket-Men Prom
tnent in Both Parties in the State
Fusion Not to BE Carried without
Bitter Opposition.
Atlanta, Ca, Oct 19.-There has been a.
gathering of POLITICAL leaders here to-day
which portends important events at to-
,norroW's conference. From the best infor-
nation obtainable tonight it seems that
the democratic leaders, who have been
active in the last few days in their inter
course with Mr. Watson, are working
with the end in view that fusion with the
populists may be adopted in this state.
Both the democratic and populist state
executive committees will hold meetings
tomorrow for the purpose of arranging
this fusion on the electoral ticket. Chair
man Cunningham Of the populist commit
tee arrived in the city tonight, and
Chairman Clay of the democratic commit
tee will come to town early IN the morn
ing. Other members Of both committees,
together with men prominent in the coun-
ellis of both parties. are here to take a
hand in the business proposed.
Committeeman Reed Of the populist ma
tlonal committee came in with Commit
teeman Washburne from the home of Mr..
Watson this morning. Mr.. Washburne
went on to Chicago, but Mr..
Reed will remain until the ar
rival of Mr.. Watson and will
accompany him to Birmingham, where
he will begin his second tour OF the west
Neither Mr.. Reed nor Mr. Washburne
would discuss the purpose of their visit
" Ex-senator Walsh of Augusta, Col. ].
W. Robertson and Judge J. j. Hunt,
electors from the state-at-large, also
reached the city to-day. Congressman
Maddox Tate Livingston, Nominee
Lewis and others came tonight in re-
sponse to the invitation of Chairman
Clay to the democratic congressional can
ddates and electors to be on hand to ad-
wise in the proceedings tomorrow.
To-day Clark Howell, member of the
democratic national committee from
Georgia, who has been in Chicago for
some time past, at work with the COM
mittee, reached the city. He came as the
representative of Chairman Jones of the
national committee. He said Chairman
Jones found that he could not come to
Atlanta, and Mr. Howell will present his
views to the convention tomorrow
This afternoon a conference was held at
the Office of Mr.. Howell, at which were
present Electors Robertson, Hunt Walsh,
e. p Howell, and Committeeman
Reed and Washburne of the pop
ulist national committee with Secretary
sioey of the populist state committee
What took place at the conference is kent
ic
subject under discussion was fusion be-
tween the populistS and democrats in the
state which is to come before the two
Committees tomorrow. Several of the
democratic leaders openly advocate this
fusion, Dut from the temper of others it
IS certain that there will be a bitter fight
IN the democratic committee when 1t is
attempted to put it through tomorrow.
IL is not pretended that it is the intention
10 grant the popuHsts fusion on account of
local effect, but those who have been ad-
Foaatlng 1t argue that it is necessary to
cohcede something to Mr. Watson in his
own state in order to placate him and
ms followers and secure the success of
Bryan in the west, where the popuMstS
have begun to rebel because they say Mr.
watson has not been treated fairly by his
own party leaders or the democrats
before leaving for Chicago commit tee
man Washbume wrote the following for
the press:
The address issued to be pub
Ished by our executive committee at
NMcago has been purposely miscon-
strued by a hostile press as an act un-
friendly to our candidate. This nterpre-
LAllon is wrong, and does Mr. Watson
great injustice. He is the hero of. our
party, and IS loved and esteemed all over
the country because of his noble fight for
me principles now represented by Mr.
lHAAn and Sc no. ysfx t.
sued to help array all the several forces of
Ine country against the triumph of Nc
NlHIeylSm and the domination of the
money power, and to secure the active CO.
operation of the silver forces in bringing
aoout equitable fusion arrangements sat
isldelory 10 all parties in states where
fusion had not been effected. The only way
now to elect Mr.. Bryan is for the silver
lorces in the different states to vote for
ius-oh electors representing both parties. !
. Inc situation is unchanged, Mr. Watson's
tnroat is now all night and he will resume
l'is campaign speaking at once. He will
sPeak IN Birmingham Wednesday, again
III Alabama on Thursday, and then pro-
ecu TO Tennessee for active work. after
MHlch understand, he plans to go to
NorJh Carolina and Kansas. During the !
PAST two weeks, Mr.. Bryan has made |
idpid gains and 1 know that the repubh- |
1aAs are becoming alarmed at this great !
,"HEe IN ms favor. At both the popu- /
l'st and democratic headquarters in Chi |
'"so' we feel sure of Mr.. Bryan's cleo |
soh and the triumph of silver Our con-
4gIeHce at Thomson was for the purpose |
~ reporting to Mr.. Watson just what had |
oeel accomplished in different states, and |
10 support the work of the national COM |
nultee as well as to confer with him re-
Earning the campaign The report that |
l nad Mr.. Watson's letter of acceptance |
with me is a mistake"