The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-21
MIR. JOHNSON IS MAD.
AND THREATENS TO MAKE 1T HOT
FOR WATSON, HIS oPPoNENT.
RIchmond's Statesman Charges Rush.
viIIe's Consressman with Circu-
latfng Cruel slanders.
JOHNSON rs COMING HOME
HE WILL HUNT UP THE ALLEGED
TRADUCER OF HIS GOOD NAME,
And Force His Rival to Either Disa-
vow the Charges Swallow
the Slanderous utterances.
BOTH MEN HAVE COURAGE
AND A PERSONAL ENCOUNTER MAY
BE THE OUTCOME H THEY MEET.
G.1s
son Delegation to the sixth District
Convention at New Castle.
And Force His Rival to Either Disa-
the Slanderous Utterances.
BOTH MEN HAVE COURAGE
AND A PERSONAL ENCOUNTER MAY
BE THE OUTCOME H THEY MEET.
Hancock County Chooses a Solid Wat
son Delegation to the Sixth District
Convention at New Castle.
.cial 70 the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, March 20.-The campaign
in Henry county between Representative
Watson and Representative Johnson will,
next week, pass into an acute stage, which
may well arouse the earnest solicitude OF
the friends of both gentlemen, for there is
every danger of possible personal alterca-
ton between the two candidates, and as
both are well known as resolute and fear
less men, unfortunate consequences may be
feared. Representative Johnson will leave
Washington tomorrow to hunt up Mr.. Wat
son wherever he can find him. and will pub
licly demand an explanation of the source
of many very unpleasant stories rejecting
seriously on his private character. which
have been extensively circulated of late. For
some time past rumors have drifted into
Washington TO the effect that enemies of
Mr.. Johnson have been circulating state
ments to the effect that he was notorious
drunkard, having been frequently seen in
Washington, even on the floor of the House.
in an intoxicated condition; that his family
relations were unhappy, his wife and chill
dren being frequent victims of his uncon-
trollable temper, and similar statements.
which were variations of these charges.
Members of the delegation heard the stories
were repeated But recently Mr.. johnson
received letters from his friends. notifying
him that these stories were being circulated
over the contested counties. particularly
Henry, and that he owed it to himself to
take some steps i'm the matter. Mr.. johnson
wrote back saying that his duties as chair
man of an elections committee were so
pressing that he could not leave, and that
he was especially confined to his post at the
present time. Apparently emboldened by
his delay in meeting his constituents. the
authors of the stories spread them with
doubled activity. Mr. Johnson states openly
that the ISLANDERS are being disseminated
by friends of Mr.. Watson, and that this line
of conduct is at the instigation and with
the direction of Mr. Watson.
DOES NOT BELIEVE WATSON.
AZ am told that Mr.. Watson denies hav-
ing ever made any of these statements
about me- said Mr.. Johnson, this evening,
to the Journal correspondent. 81 do not be-
lieve him. He either started these stories
himself, or he knows whose dirty work it
Is. AT all events, 1 hold him directly and
personally responsible. / shall leave here
tomorrow. On Sunday j will be home in
Richmond. I have teleeraphed my friends
in Henry county to notify Mr.. Watson of
my coming, and of the fact that shall de-
mand a public explanation of these stories
Acting for me. my friends have challenged
Mr. Watson to meet me at any point in
Henry county before the people, and then
and there will make him repeat those lies
or swallow them. This is a dastardly bus-
ness, and / don't believe the people of Indi-
ana ready for that kind of politics. had
not intended leaving my post. Day after day
L have been at work in Washington while
Mr.. Watson has been away for more than
a month working against me. I make no
comment on that. / have been in Congress.
and my people do not need me to din into
their ears what 1 have done and what 1
can do. Mr.. Watson has never been in Con-
gress before, and has done nothing since he
has been here. The only time when he might
have been of use he was absent campaign
ing against me. But, as say, would have
remained here had he pursued the manly
course OF honorable man against me.
But when he stoops to the methods of the
blackguard and not only blackens my
character, but drags the names of my wife
and children into the mire of a campaign,
then, as man, owe it to myself to meet
him face to face and brand the liar as he
deserves. have sent him word to meet me
publicly. If he refuses he must not expect
to find safety in cowardly skulking. 1 will
follow him wherever he appears, and sooner
or later 1 will confront him, and then we
will settle the question to who is the
coward and lrunkard."
MIR. JOHNSON IN EARNEST.
Mr.. Johnson is terribly in earnest Before
leaving, the election case on which his COM
mittee is at present engaged, the Benoit-
Boatner case, was disposed Of in the House
Mr.. Boatner came to Mr.. Johnson this morn
ing and asked that the case be disposed of
to-day. The case involves a new election in
Louisiana, as Mr. Boatner's seat was de-
clared vacant. Under the Louisiana law, to-
morrow will be the last day on which the
Governor Of the State can call a special
election for Congress in Mr.. 3oatners dis
trict. If that election is to be held at the
same time with the State elections, which
will be in April. AS all the members Of the
committee were willing to dispose of the
case at once, and as the Democrats stated
that there would be no attack on the report
unseating Mr.. Boatner Mr.. Johnson con-
sented and the case was called up to-day
Mr.. Boatner made brief statement thank
ing Mr.. Johnson for the courtesy shown him.
announcing that he would be a candidate
for reelection, and facetiously expressing a
hope soon to join his colleagues Thus re-
lieved OF his duties, Mr.. johnson made his
arrangements for going home tomorrow
Friends OF Mr.. Watson here express their
unwillingness to believe that the young
Congressman can have made such dread
ful error as to wilfully permit the circula-
ton of the ISLANDERS which Mr.. johnson pro-
poses TO hunt down. The contest has been
exceedingly bitter. but they do not think
that Mr.. Watson's eagerness to win the
nomination can have carried him to such
unfortunate lengths. Mr.. Johnson states his
absolute confidence of denomination. Ger
tainly. until this unfortunate episode, which
may terminate with a sensation. Mr. john
SON had no intention of making a personal
canvass Of his district. His committee has