People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1892-08-12
Persecution.
National Waterman.


National Waterman.
Democratic imbecility and vicious
ness was never more pronounced
than IN the attempt that is now be
ing made to prosecute the Hon.
Thomas E. Watson, of Georgia.
Having at the beginning of the SEES
sion squarely declared his indie
pendence of old party rule, and
since then established q reputation
for fairness, integrity, and sincerity,
Mr. Watson has become the special
target for Democratic hatred. His
personal record was searched and
found consistent and honorable, and
his course in the House as member
was like an open book, with the lines
plain and legible. Mr.. Watson has
been a square fighter upon all ques
tons, and never shirked or evaded a
responsibility. In vain have the
Democracy looked for a weak spot
in his armor. In vain have they laid
plans to entrap him. He has stood
'four square to every wind that
blew" and escaped without an in
jury. The cid adage, "Oh, that
mine enemy might write book, "
came as an aid to their designs. Mr.
Watson wrote a book, in which is
found this paragraph:
This Congress now sitting is one illus
tration Pledged to reform, they have
not reformed. Pledged to legislate, they
have not legislated. Extravaganza has
been the order of the day. AbseAteeism
was never SO pronounced. Lack of pur-
pose was never so clear Lack of com
mon business prudence never more glar-
ing. Drunken members have reeled
about the aisles, Disgrace to the Repub-
lie. Drunken speakers have debated
grave issues, and in the midst of maud
lin ramblings have been heard to ask,
''Mr. Speaker, where was at 2" Useless
employees crowd every corridor. U e
less expenditures pervadc every depart
ment.
This book has been on sale for g
month, and this particular passage
must have been known from the first
1t was to the ''cowardly majority
what straws are said to be to drown
ing men, and they prepared to make
the most of it, without doubt.
To call Mr.. Watson before an In
vestigating committee then nigh
give time for a reaction before ad
iournment. The matter was post
poned until it was thought the las
day of the session was at hand, anC
then, under thin disguise of mis-
understanding with Mr.. Wheeler,
committee was appointed at o'clocl
p. M, and Mr.. Watson summoned
for trial at s, within six hours. Their
the matter stands at the time of go
ing to press. Let no one fear 70
Mr.. Watson's ability to defend him
self. He stood before them all anC
courageously made the declaration
that he would stand by what he haC
written and prove its truthfulness
ms he Will DO to the satisfaction o
all minded persons. This at
tempt to persecute him is collossa
Democratic mistake, and will los
them thousands OF T1zst;@s. TheA2eo
pie of this country like fair play, am
will never consent to see gallan
Tom Watson made a victim o
Democratic hate. He is the ''winte
of their discontent," the one abov
all others they would like to destroy
The main fight in Georgia will b
over his reelection, and if money
fraud, lies, or misrepresentation ca
defeat him, it will surely be done
Nothing will be omitted by this reli
Of the past that malice can invent 0
fear conceive to kill politically thi
rude disturber of it's rest and peace