The sun., 1897-05-31
WATSON OUT FOR FIGHT.
HE SWINGS HIS CLUE OYER THE
HATED BUTL ER.

NE would Overthrow the ola Pop Leaders,
snash tho OLD POP Fnrty. ana Set Up ss
Dictator or New Pop Organization
HE Convention In Naahvlllo July q.
ATLANTA, Ca, May 3o-The Populists Of the
South, led by tho Hon. Thomas e. Watson, the
late Vice-Presidential candidate, have Joined in
a movement to overthrow Marion Butler and
the National Committee of the party in order to
prevent any further attempt a. fusion with
either OF the two great national parties.
The movement really started some weeks ago
when the reformed press called for a national
convention to be held on the 4th Of July In
Nashville for this purpose. That call was looked
upon as having no effect. but within tho last two
weeks Mr.. Watson has added his influence to 1t
and now 1t has assumed national proportions.
In the last two Issues of his organ, the Peoples
Paper, published in this city, the editorial page
has been filed with denunciations OF Marion
Butler and of the accredited leaders Of the
party. Mr.. Watson looks upon them as being
in the party merely for the offices
which they can gain through its infiu-
ence. He declares that they should be
ousted from the seats of power. and that tho
movement of the Peoples party, which has been
so seriously handicapped by Its leaders, should
start afresh, ignoring all past organization. but
taking its cue from the proceedings Of the con-
vention to be held in Nashville. In the last
issue Of the Peoples Paper there was q signed
article from Mr.. Watson. in which notice Is
taken Of the refusal OF Mr.. Bryan to speak in
Missouri district where q Populist and u Demo-
crat were running against each other. and in
which he called on Mr.. Bryan to get of the fence
and announce which side he was on.
"n," said MIR. Watson. Mr.. Bryan is DEM
lat hty,a 80 hat thnn trtn Inn
what he is. IT, as his friends assert. he Ia real
Populist. lot him be honest enough to quit
parading in Democratic clothes and come out as
he should do and not hang on to the tail of the
Populist coat"
This shows the spirit of the movement. Mr..
Watson says that a man who Ia waiting for
regular action next year, trying to catch the
opinion Of the people and otherwise fight
ing for delay, Is simply in the pay Of
the enemy and should be got rid of at once
Mr.. Watson in his effort to give o national
character to the convention met an unexpected
stumbling block in his own State, when State
Chairman Cunningham refused to call State
convention for the purpose of electing delegates.
This being the case Mr.. Watson at once issued
instructions, which were eagerly taken up in
every county. by which mass meetings were
held and instructions forwarded to Cunning
ham to call q meeting. That officer, who Is
now dallying with the Republican party
for the patronage OF this State, does not take
q kindly view of tho movement, and therefore
the Populists have begun to elect delegates all
over the State for convention to be held In this
city on June %. At this convention. 1t Is abso-
lutely asserted. new lines win be established.
tho party will be reorganized, and the methods
OF attack outlined. Delegates will be named to
the national convention, to be held in Nashville
on July4.
This Georgia movement Is full OF Significance
and points to the revenge of the cohorts o. Wat
son on Butler for his action in ngard to the let
tor Of acceptance and his general attitude during
the last campaign. Another significant feature
introduced into Populist politics by Mr.. Watson
10 strong tinge Of A. p. A.
In q signed article two weeks ago scattered
through Georgia. Mr.. Watson referred to poll
tics In Cuba and declared that the reason the
Cubans could not win their freedom from the
Spanish was because the Catholic Church was
allied to monarchy against the republican prin-
ciple Of freedom. The Pope he accuses of taking
part for the purpose Of crushing the ambitions of
the people.
1t has developed that Mr.. watson's purpose
in making this attack was for the effect 1t
might have In the Western States where Igna-
titus Donnelly has strong influence. Mr.. Don
nelly while not the most practical kind OF
Catholic, belongs 10 strong Catholic family.
He was tower of strength for Mr.. Bryan in tho
late campaign, and that makes him the object
Of Watson's enmity. Watson hopes by ap-
Popullsts in the West 70 break, down
become their leader himself He feels that
| the strength OF Bryanism among the Populists
IL In the West and II he can break 1t down there
he will have the party all over the country as
| fully under his thumb as he has 1t here. The
purpose of the Watson people is indicated in tho
| following resolution, which has been passed by
every county in this State, and will bo acted on
| in the convention meeting in response to Wat
| sons call:
"Resoiped, That we urge the national con-
ference. when assembled, to declare against al!
future efforts to fuse with either old party and
| TO reafflrm every principle Of the Omaha plat
form with the Initiate and referendum added
| thereto and proceed to reorganize the party by
| electing new national committee, to the end
| that every Populist voter may know that tho
officials of the party are peither DEMOCRATS, Re-
publicans. nor mongrels, but genuine Populists
every. member Of tho party may confidently
rely"
Tho leaders now here all declare that there
will never be any more national conventions un-
| der the call of Marion Butler. as Mr. Watson
| will be elected National Chairman by the Nash
| Vile Convention, and from that on will control
| the party.