Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-10-31
WATSON is TURNED DOWN
PopuIist Proposition Is Rejected by
the Democrats,
Most Any Kind of IA Sensation way
Now BE Observation-Disclosures
Much MiXcd---sn Tx
citing Conference.

MUCH htAtb-th -
citing Conference.
Atlanta, Ga, Oct. 21.-Not since the
state election has there been SUCH nc
tivity about democratic and populist
Headquarters as was displayed yester-
day. II was the last day of the period
which the populist state central COM
mittee gave the democrats in when 10
decide upon their proposition for fusion
for Bryan and Watson. Early in the
morning a strong division developed IN
the ranks of the democrats over the tu-
sion proposition. The executive CON-
mittees Of both parties went into secret
session.
After an exciting debate the demo-
cratic committee rejected the popunst
proposition, declaring 1t TO be insulting
TO the democrats in wording. 1t was
further held that the state committee
had no right to take down democratic
electors as demanded by the populists.
The democratic resolution refusing
fusion IS as follows:
Resolved, That the populist commits
tee, having made a proposition which
completely ignores fusion by eliminate
ing entirely the candidacy of the demo-
cratic nominee for vice president. Mr..
Sewall, and has cut off the democratic
committee from further consideration
of the question by fixing an arbitrary
limit. which expires today, giving this
committee no opportunity for consider
ation Of a movement for proper fusion,
therefore be IT
Resolved, That the chairman Of this
committee appoint a committee of five.
Of which he shall be chairman, to prop
erly present to the public the attitude OF
this committee on the refusal 10 accept
the unreasonable ana unjust ultimatum
of the populist committee, clothed as it
is in offensive and unbecoming Ian
euago.
The Populist Cltimatum.
The ultimatum Of the populist central
committee, 90 which these resolutions
were intended as a reply, is as follows:
Whereas, The peoples party of Geor-
gia accepted in good faith the st. Louis
~compromis, viz: the nomination of the
Hon. w. j.. Bryan az the presidential
candidate on the ticket with the Hon.
Thomas Il. Watson with the tacit un-
~dcrstanding thai this act Of patriotism
on their part would be met with a SIM
liar on the part Of The democratici
party in the withdrawal of Mr.. Sewall
and effect a complete combination Of
the silver forces; and
whereas, The peoples party of Geor-t
gia, in their state convention in accord
with such understanding, did provide
for a joint electoral ticket; and
whereas the democratic party of
Georgia. the home of the Hon. Thomas
T.. Watson. has not made and is not
making any effort 10 perfect or obtain
tho fusion of forces inaugurated at St.
Louis. although such fusion exists in
almost every state in the union; and
whereas il should he their pleasureI
and pride to advance a citizen OF their
state and section, a man who Is with
cut a stain, above reproach and whom
all fair minded men esteem, respect ana
honor. and whose every action in THIS
campaign has been so patriotic and
manly as to challenge the admlration
Of American manhood; ana
whereas, IT is our belief that it Is
not only the intention Of the leaders OF
the democratic party of this state TO de-
feat, but, if possible, TO humihate. the
Hon. Thomas r.. Watson, either by a.
corrupt ballot, as has been manifested
in the Tenth congressional district. or
IN Il putnam II NNN''
the win of the people n forcing Bryan
aud Scwall electors IN the state, even
though that ticket should run third in
the election; ana
Whereas, The silver plated demo
cratic press Of the state has belittledI
ana belied the candidacy of Mr.. Watsonl
and issued her Cdict; therefore be 1t
"Resolved. AS a final effort to secure
the union Of the silver forces to which
the democratic party is committed and
to test the patriotism Of our professed
allies, we do now withdraw seven of our
electors and insist that the democratic
party Of Georgia withdraw six Of their
electors. substituting the remaining six
populist electors. with the understand
ing that the thirteen shall east theiI
votes for Bryan and Watson; be it fur
ther
Resolved, That IL the democratic
party does not acCode to the foregoing
Just and reasonable proposition wlthir
five days from date: then be it
Resolved, That u central commit
tee Is authorized and empowered Il
withdraw, if advisable, our remaining
electors or reinstate those that are nov
Withdrawn, and that we concentrate
every effort of u party in h election
OF our congressional nominees
There was q buzz following the read
ing OF the pOpulist proposition, which
Indicated strong d|lSdppfONal oil IL,
The speeches were all against 1t. In
fact. the resolution refusing the popu-
listic proposition was offered by none
other than Chairman Jones personal
representative. who favored it the day
before. but who yesterday claimed hat
he had been under a misrepresentation
as TO what the populists wanted. He
said he had no idea when he came down
here at the suggestion Of Chairman
Jones that the populists wanted thir1
teen electors for Watson. He thought
thai they would propose some fair dl-
vision which would not totally ignore
the candidacy OF Vice President Sewall.I
Il was quite evident that the COM
mittee regarded the proposition as pre-
posterous and that about the only thing
left for discussion "a the character OF
the reply to be sent to the populists,
whether 1t should b. polite and concilia-
tory on plain and to the point.
The Georgia member of the national
committee, who had come to force fu-
sion, himself offered the resolution op.
posing 1t. He explained his action as
follows:
4 got a telegram about fusion and 1
thought 1t meant a division Of vice
presidential electors between the two
parties. Senator Jones thought that it
was a good idea and wanted to see
what could be done with It. never had
much as they did. To ignore the demo-.
cratic vice presidential candidate was.
OF course, quite out Of the question"
Receiver Appointed.