New-York tribune., 1904-08-06
WATSON MAY WITHDRAW.
Likely to Refuse Nomination If
There Is Fusion in Nebraska.

The Populist party may not be under the neces-
sitv OF renting Cooper Union a place for the
notification of Thomas E Watson and Thomas II
Tibbles that they have been named, respectively
for the offices of President and Vice-PresldenG
The men in question may decide not TO accept the
preferment Mr.. Watson came to New-York rev
DAYS ago with no other thought than that ne
would adjust himself the plans of his partisans
and be In New-York on the date set for the noun
cation Mr. Watson is not talking politics Tor pup
ncation but Major Charles E. McGTegor' VINO
came from Georgia with him and who has been ms
business and political associate for many years.
said at the Hoffman House yesterday;
''The news that has come from Kansas ana
Nebraska in the last few days is dsquieting to
Mr. Watson. who regards fusion as fatal to the
cause for which he is willing and anxious 10 make
the fight. He considers that both or the OLD
parties are recreant the interests of the common
people and he would enter the contest actuated
by no hope Of political honors but upon principle
II it Is to be a matter OF swapping offices, he
could have no interest in the matter: he could
certainly see purpose in dissipating his energy
where the principles for which he would contend
would be obscured by the huckstering of political
places Unless full electoral ticket is put in the
field 1 do not believe Mr. Watson will consent TO
accept the nomination. 1t will be possible to put up
an electoral ticket in Georgia. Florida. Mississippi
Texas Tennessee, North Carolina and Kentucky.
but Kansas and Nebraska are the strougholds 0f
Populism. Their attitude must have great weight
in determining the course OF Mr.. Watson and Mr..
do not believe in close communion with the Demo-
Gratis.
Kansas has just fused on the State ticket. and.
of course. it would like a hopeless PROPOSE
tion to put up an electoral ticket in Kansas with
the interest focused the State offices that
allotted TO them in the bargain with the Demo-
Gratis. It remains 10 be what is done in Ne
braska, when the Stats convention Is held at
Lincoln next "Wednesday. II fusion is accomplished
I do not believe Mr.. Watson will accept the nont-
nation
That the conditions which would induce Mr.. Wat
son and his running mate TO decline the nomination
Of their party will arise, seems probable The
basis for the prediction is found in the observations
on the situation expressed at the Hoffman House
yesterday by James Dahlman. Democratic national
committeeman for Nebraska. just before his de-
parture for Omaha Mr.. Dahlman said: II have
doubt that fusion OF the Democrats and PopU-
lists OF Nebraska VIII be accomplished when
the conventions OF the two parties held
at Lincoln next week The conventions are
always held at the same time In the city. and
on no occasion in eight years have ths confer
ly takes about two days. and night 20 thrash the
matter out and agree upon division of the loaves
ana usnes out that Is certain TO be hnaI!y ac-
cOmplShed. The normal vote OF the Republicans
and Democrats IS about the SaIne-sD,OD TO 100000
eaCh-and the pOQuiSTS, who once had 5eOp
have about l5.uO0 I'm the state. They
power, and so able 20 make a pretty good bar
gain in the division OF the offices. Upon the cleo
with them Out OF the eight votes 10 which the
State is entitled. would expect to get hve at
least for of course, those given 70 their national
ticket would not count as effectively ours against
the common ensmy-the Republicans 7 have no
doubt whatever that fusion OF the Democrats and
Populist forces will be effected in Nebraska