The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-10-27
WATSON'S LETTER.
1t Will Probably Never Be Given
to the Public.
Negotiations Which Were Pending
Between Jones and Wash barn
Have Been Declared Off-Wnsh-
burns Explanations.

CHICAGO, Oct. 2s.-Ail negotiations
which were being conducted by West
ern Chairman Washburn. of the Pop
ulist national committee, represent
ing Candidate Watson, and Chairman
Jones, of the Democratic national
committee, for the purpose of solidi-
flying the middle-of-the-road Populists'
vote for Bryan were officially de-
clared at an end today, said Mr..
Washburn in an interview with re-
porter for the U. A. P.
The Democratic state committees,
particularly the silver Democracy of
Georgia and Tennessee are blamed
Tor the failure of the negotiations.
Mr.. Watson will spend the remainder
of the campaign practically in silent
disgust, and his interesting letter of
acceptance will likewise not appear in
public to hurt the candidacy of Mr..
Bryan
Mr.. Washburn said:
THE negotiations which were pend
ing between Senator Jones and my
self are all off now. There were a
few states where fusion was pend
ing and we were trying to consum-
mate arrangements. When 1 visited
Georgia l saw that it was vitality
essential that all complications should
De adjusted at once so that the solid
vote of the middle-of-the-road Popu-
lists might be secured for Bryan.
Upon my return, while we were ar
ranging these matters. il was flashed
over the wires that the Georgia and
Tennessee Democrats had rejected the
overtures made by the Populists and
adjourned without making a counter
proposition. This was most unfortun-
ate, as IL occurred at time when ii
seemed apparent that all complica-
lions would be removed. our people
satisfied and Bryan's election made
certain. AS these two states were in
volved in our arrangements, this
action rendered it impossible for us
to continue negotiations. They were
broken of, and conference arranged
with Messrs. Watson and Reed at
Nashville that l might report to them
the facts of the charges. The re-
sponslbility of all this must rest upon
the Georgia and Tennessee Democ-
racy. They seemed more anxious to
beat the Populists than to elect Bryan
and whatever the results the odium
OF their unpatriotic action must rest
upon them.
I'm all justice to Senator Jones. L
must say that from the beginning he
has been eager to remove all com.
plicationS and effect an equitable
fusion in every state. He has always
shown much greater degree of
patriotism in these arrangements
than the state committees of his
party. who were more anxious to
make sure of their state tickets than
they were to meet Populist committees
half way in perfecting fusion. There
will be no further negotiations, and
whether our people and candidate
have been reorganized to the proper
extent or not. our committees desire
that every Populist shall prove his
patriotism in helping at the polls to
elect Bryan. just as they did in nom
mating him at st. Louis. This is no
time fcE settlement of differences
Our duty is TO secure the triumph of
silver. and every Populist should do
his share and settle party differences
after election"
Having read Mr.. Watsons letter
of acceptance, do you think it ought to
or will be published?"
Il do not see what good would be
accomplished at this late day by it's
publication, as Mr.. Watson has made
plain the principal points of his letter
do not favor its publication
do the fusion arrangements being
made between Republicans and Popu-
lists in Georgia meet with your APP
proval?"
"All those arrangements are made
over the joint protest of Mr.. Watson,
National Committeeman Reed and
myself"