The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-13
NOT A FORGERY.
The WatteSOn Letter to Governor Hill Pro-
n0unGed Genuine.

LOUISVILLE (Ky.). Feb. 12.-On returning
to the city this afternoon Mr.. Henry Wat
terson, in response to request of the Asso-
ciated Press and in answer to hundreds of
kilograms which have come to Louisville,
made statement for publication regarding
the letter written to Governor Hill and
given in these dispatches two days ago. Mr.
Watterson says he did write the letter to
Governor Hill, and was impelled to do so by
motives of the sincerest and most disinter-
ested. He says there appeared in many
papers last Sunday sensational account
of how caucus of United States
Senators had resolved upon retiring
Governor Hill from the Presidential
arena; Of how WatterSon had been Sc lected
as the instrument and how he had dis
patched n letter potent enough to alter HilPs
plans. This was so absurd and did such in
justice to both Hill and himself, that lie
thought there could be no objection on the
part of anybody TO the publication, of the
truth, which fatty contradicted 1t. con-
fess l am surprised" adds Mr. Watterson.
that the Governor should make such haste
to disayOw and disown such course, which,
however prompted, gratifed every Demo-
crat in the United States outside the State
of New York, removing him from the posi-
ton of mere political sef-seeker and plac-
ing him in the front rank of statesmen,
having the good of their country and
party at heart. l am equally distressed by
the representation that Governor Hill should
regard my plain but friendly words as i'm
pertinent and insulting. l cannot help
thinking that the same words might be with
pr0priety addressed TO him or any Demo-
cratic aspirant by the humblest Democrat
in the line and L still hope that, annoyed
by the publication, which annoyed me as
well, he has proceeded upon a misappre-
hension oil the facts OF the case. Neither in
the writing or printing of my letters was
there any purpose to take advantage of him
and, least of all, to do him any injustice. l
am no mans man and exist in no mans in
terest. To use his own happy expression.
i am Democrat who has passed life
time in the service of the prihci-
pies and policies from which |
recognition or regard. l am only humili-
ated by the reflection that this service was
not sufficient in the estimation OF Governor
Hill to protect me against his diSpleasure,
and that i'll the harsh construction Which he
puts upon genuine and not forged letter,
visits me with what L must regard as un-
merited suspicion"
New YORK, Feb. 12-At a late hour to-
night an Associated Press reporter called at
the Hotel Normandy to interview Governor
Hill on the Watterson letter. The reiIera-
tion OF the statement that the Governor had
not received the letter was all that could be
learned. He would be pleased to see the
reporter in the morning.
A morning paper has what pur-
ports to be AN interview with the
Governor, i'll which he says: Certain
it is, / never received the letter il il was
written. If had should have replied to
II, notwithstanding its impudent tone. |
shall await fuller information as to its au-
| thenticity before giving it further notice. /"