The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-06
MIR. WATSON SPEAKS
ADDRESSES REPUBLICAN, CONNER
CIAL TRAVELLERS.
He Gives Some Advice ON the Appor-
tionmcnt observation-disclosures Cos
sip Of Legislature.


prevented as many being present at the
meeting of the Republican Commercial
Travellers Club the attractions would
warrant. Hon. James Il. Watson, who, be-
sides being the imam who beat w. s. Hol-
man is the man who nearly carried the
state convention for the Office which would
have made him the head of the State
ticket, was the advertised speaker in place
of Frank Hanly, member-elect from the
Ninth district, who was unable TO be pres
emit Several members of the Legislature
were in the club rooms, and Judge Baker,
of the federal court, who was invited by
some friends to hear Mr.. Watson, was pres
ent
Mr.. Watson said that he had been losing
sleep in caring for an heir of tender age
for several nights and that he would speak
but briefly He desired he said to thank
the club for its good will toward him, mani
Tested on various occasions and especially
in eecting him, with the other members
elect from Indiana, to honorary member
ship in the club. He said that not a week
passed during his canvass that he did not
meet or hear of some OF the members OF
the Republican Commercial Travellers Club
who were saying good word for him to
the business men of the Fourth district,
and making bets that he would be elected
believed 1T. He spoke in glowing terms of
the great victory that had been achieved,
and said it credit to the grandest
political party that had ever existed. But
this victory, he said, had many lessons
which future success maze worth remem-
bering He wanted to say, however, in the
start, that he had heard some Republicans
TAX as If the victory did not mean any
thing, He instanced the position that some
hold in reference to the gerrymander. He
had actually met he said, member of the
a congressional apportionrnent which
gave the Democrats seven of
The thirteen districts of the State.
While he believes in political honesty, he
said 1t is not necessary to walk so straight
as 10 bend in the other direction. He was
This sentiment aroused the, club to loud
applause Mr.. Watson said he was I'M
equiyocally in favor of an apportionment.
and believes that the election was carried
by the Republicans partly to rebuke the
Democratic party for it's DISTINGUISHING
gerrymander. 1t ought to be wiped out
that it concurred. Mr.. Watson argued that
virtually the last gerrymander had been
declared unconstitutional and that therefore
there is no legal apportionmert the
books and one will have to be made.
Mr.. Watson touched briefly upon the tar
in, saying that he found the Democrats
of his district ready to vote with the Re
publicans. because, they said, their party
had betrayed them; their leaders had proved
false and platform pledges had been broken.
Platforms, he said, were not made to be
broken. and if the Republican party does
not observe the lesson of the last election,
it, too, will suffer defeat The greatest
mistake the Democrats made, Mr.. Watson
said, was in repeating the reciprocity pro-
vision of the Mckinley law. These had
enabled us to obtain footh0d in the mar
l1ets of the world, which the party leaders
hold up as the Democratic idol, and then
their first act was to demolish laws that
were daily extending these markets along
the only practicable lines. The club loudly
applauded these sentiments. The eloquent
young member from the Fourth district
closed with a spirited eulogy of the Re-
publican party, saying, incidentally, that
he believes President Cleveland will be
compelled to call an extra session of Con-
an utter incapacity to deal intelligsntly and
effectively, not to say harmoniously with
the financial questions that seem to pre-
sent SO many dangerous conditions at this
time Mr. Watson was loudly cheered at
the conclusion of his remarks
,,r senator Ill aaggamr e who was casually
and caused something of a sensation and
created the widest enthusiasm among the
nouncing that in the position he took he
found himself very much alone as far as
members of the Legislature are concerned.
Few of them. he said, coincide with him,
bu he said he would stand in the State
senate senate for what he was about to say.
thus arousing much expectancy, Senator
Haggard said:
THE Republican party is the only party
that can give the State honest and able
management of it's affairs. | spurn and
spit upon that plank of the platform upon
which | was elected which pledges to
support law for nonpartisan control of
out benevolent institutions loud APP
plause) There is nothing of virtue in non
partisan control of these institutions. Com
tinued applause.) The Democrats the
advantage in it to them and when they
they exclam with anxious wonder, Why,
you are re n not going back on n,t the platform,
want You to do thing, t It IS time e to do
the other thing. How did they treat us dur
ing, the twen1ty-itwo years they have con,
for representation on the boards of control
they laughed at us. 1t might have. been
policy to stand for nonpartisan control,
It might have made a few votes. but
believe the people OF the State, in giving
the parv mean hs 1s son nG
be swept from all departments Of the
State. Applause) It is our duty to step
Great appause.) | have evidence in my
pocket that the present appointing power
Inents that are not for his own benefit
or tor that of his party. This thing of
having one member OF the opposite party
in these boards is a failure. 1t emasculates
the third member and makes trimmer OF
him. The reason for having this third
ohedE upon ne other pa two but did has sny
body ever hear of this member checking
%Een bev They are bad at4gsther wb bad
i disagree with the most of my party
as to this matter of the business manage
with them that the employees should not be
subject TO change The civi-service rules
should begin and end with the employees,
and perhaps include the experimenting
officers. who are merely the servants of
the boards Of trustees; but tho mana cement
the responsible heads of control in the
hoard, should be in political sympathy with
the party In power tApplause) The bust
ness end of these institutions should be
Republican, ana when show as much in
competence as the Democrats have done,
thcn the people can turn us out, for we
VIII have been rcSpOnsiblp.'
Tho speech was interrupted by very loud
applause number of times, and after the
adjournment many rushed UP TO the SEN
at0r TO shake his hand. senator Boyd was
called ard made an entertaining speech,
making no reference TO the Views just de-
clared. Then there were loud calls for
Judge Baker, who after some hesitation,
responded. lie said that his position as n
judicial officer made il indecorous for him
10 make political speech but that he
might say something of interest TO the
club, composed as IL is of thoughtful men.
lie urged that great trusts OF public nature
carried with them great responsibilities.
and that there are questions now before
The people that are more serious and much
deeper Than any partisan problems con-
fronting tho parties which control the gov
crnment He said that society is in a state
or unrest and that this condition presents
situation far Sravcr than any questions
or tariff or finance. The best thought he
said, of good citizens should be at work
npon the best method OF bringing about ..