Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-10-18
A CALL ON WATSON.
GEORGIA pEaocnATIc ELECTORS
SPEND THE NIGHT WITH HIN.
SOHE INTERESTING DEVELOPMENTS
Probable Conference of the Pops-
list Leader with chaIrsaan Jones
To-Morrow in Atlsata-rhc sftua-
tion I'm Kansas.

THOMSON. CA. October Iz--It 10
probable that the next forty-e!ght hours
VIII furnish some interesting political
news from Georgia When the first train
from Atlanta reached Thomson last
night, Mr.. Watson's carriage was in
waiting Ut the station. and three gentis-
men. who emerged from the train entered
the carriage and were rapidly driven to
Mr. Watson's home They were Evan p.
Howell, James AZ. Robertson. and / I.
Hunt, Democratic electors from, the stats
at large. AS they entered the carriage
they were accosted by O representative
OF the Southern Associated Press, but
declared there was absolutely nothing for
publication in their visit. They aid not
leave on the midnight train, but spent the
night at Mr.. Watson's home. ana ho ac-
companied them to tho depot this morn
Ing. The visitors and Mr. Watson both
declined to speak OF the subject OF their
conference, but as the Wait followed i'm
mediately upon the proposition from the
Popuiists for fusion In Georgia, Il IL gen.
orally surmised that this was the tsDio
OF discussion.
Since their departure Il has been, gath
ered-a word here and hint there-that
the scope Of the conference covered n
broader field than Georgia fusion. and
had In view the bringing Of Watson and
Chairman Jones, with possibly other
members OF the National Democratic
Committee. together in Atlanta on Nom
day.
Mr.. Watson, when questioned about this
rumor, said. IF the gentlemen who called
upon me declined to say anything a3out
the purpose Of their visit. manfestly II
would be improper for me TO do so.'
WHAT WATSON SAYS.
IF IL Is true that you are going TO At
lanta on business ON Monday will Messrs.
Reed and Washburn await you there. or
VIII they come on 10 Thomson"
Il expect them here tomorrow, and
have SO telegraphed Mr.. Reed to Atlanta,
where he will be tonight"
IF Chairman Butler does not give your
letter to the press to-day, will you then
make It public?"
IL will not make any statement con-
corning 1t until after my conference with
the members OF the National COMMITTEES
from Chicago"
IF Chairman Butler has not IN the
mean time made your letter public will
Messrs. Reed and Washburn?'
81 cannot say"
This ended the Interview. but there
can be no question about the CONTEMPLATED
conference between Chairman Jones and
Mr.. Watson In Atlanta. and there is rea-
son to believe that II has something to 70
with the situation In Kansas. and possi-
bly, with getting Mr.. Watson 10 go back
there and make some sreeches triroing
nj
Chairman Jones agreeing to fair bssI1
OF fusion In the State.
KANSAS.
Mr.. Watson SAYS II is true he has Or
dered his name OFF the ticket IN Kansas.
but n Is Off the Democratic ticket and
not off the Fusion ticket. He says there Is
20 Fusion ticket I'm Kansns. There are
, n Democratic ticket and r Populist ticket,
and the Democrats have printed over the
name OF the Bryan Sewaii electors the
names OF Bryan and Watson TO deceive
Populsts into voting for electors who will
IN turn vote for Bryan and Sewali II
am willing" said pfr. Watson. "to have
any fair fusion In Kansas that will divide
the electors between the Populists and
the Democrats. I am willing even to an
equal division. though BY reason OF tho
Populists' voting strength in Kansas. tho
proportion would be about eight Popuiist
electors to two Democratic ones. 7 con-
tend that the Democrats have no right to
print my name over Bryan and Sewall
electors to deceive POpulist voters. and I
have ordered my name taken from the
Democratic ticket"
WATSON QUITS ABILENE TICKET.
TOPEKA, KAN, October H-Late this
afternoon, Abe Steinbergsr. secretary Of
the middle-of-the-road Populists' State
Committee. received this telegram from
Thomas Il. Watson, dated at Thomson,
Ga:
Hand this TO the Secretary Of State.
Do not certify my name on the Abilene
ticket 10 the county clerks. My affidavit
Withdrawing my name was mailed you.
lSigned) THOMAS L. WATSON"