The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-29

congressman Johnson Inat ne dllOWtu MS
prejudice to get the better Of his judgment.
For years he has bought his family grocer
les OF one Of the leading merchants here
One day last week he heard that his grocer
was for "Jim'' Watson and Re went di-
rectly to the store to satisfy himself as
to the truth OF the report. 1t happened that
ss Sd nt was IN man 70 t1e
result that his customer, the Johnson
man.. flew of in high dudgeon and imme-
an against the ae offensive grocer He buys his
goods Of q Johnson merchant and scarcely
speaks to the other when ne meets him
fined 10 the two candidates As yet there
have been no fisticuffs between the fac
tions. but several days yet remain before
the final struggle.
THE TWO CANDIDATES.
whichever Congressman wins in the COM
ing contest, the fact remains that both will
be better advertised probably in the ''old
burnt district than ever before. Although
Congressman Johnson is now serving his
third term, and all in all has been figure
in Indiana politics for twenty years. since
his first election as prosecutor in Wayne
county, his record and personal characters
tics have never had such thorough dis
cussion as during this primary campaign
for denomination. Johnson Is one Of the
unique political characters of the district.
He is a brainy man, brilliant in speech and
capable as politician. His greatest fault,
Mr.. Johnson is particularly touchy on this
point and denies that he Is prone TO be
hasty IN Judgment or action His warllke
interview from Washington last week
doubtless did much toward exaggerating his
reputation for impetuousity and led many
people to fear the consequences of meet
ing between him and watson. In his
speechmaking Congressman Johnson has a
wonderful command or the English IAN
guage, never being troubled Tor an apt
his subject 1t is said he Is worse than the
famed Foraker, speaking nearly three hum
dred words to the minute, a speed Iar 100
great for any shorthand man to follow him
verbatim.
Congressman Watson is almost directly
mamie man he has already distinguished himself
as an Indiana campaigner and great per
cent of his following is due to the record
trict, when he defeated Hon. William s:
Holman. turning a Democratic majority OF
800 into Republican plurality OF nearly
five hundred and retiring the Oldest DEM
ocratic member of Congress after thirty
years of representation from district
SnGCn to 70 aoan %s
son represents the young element In Repub-
lican politics in Indiana. He has been ac-
ys IN EpMorsda pgrand o Of the Knights
of Pythias ever chosen in this State. His
speeches are noted more for their eloquence
and patriotism than for logic. His ambi-
ton is monumental and 1t was because of
Mr.. Johnson's prestige in the old Sixth dis
trict that Mr. Watson moved from his ma
tive place at Winchester, in the adjoining
county to Johnsons home, and took UP his
residence at Rushville, three years ago In
the Fourth district. When the congressional
respp0roa'%srfi was wat.on %ad and yon
SON were thrown together in the
same district thus forcing the younger man
sentative johnson. 1t was an open secret
among those who had finger in the con-
gressional reapportionment that Johnson Johnson
and 1t was even said by some enemies OF
Johnson that this move was taken for the
psttc people beliesing that watson would
prove strong enough TO defeat him. II there
was any such real intention Mr.: Johnson's
had no desire to be retired, and the cam
vass as it now stands, would indicate that
he is fully as strong as Mr.. Watson. The
figures of the counties which have already
selected delegates to the congressional con-
vention give Mr.. Watson ninety-five dele
gates and Mr.. Johnson eighty-seven. john
and Union, while Watson has Franklin.
Hancock, Shelby and Rush. Henry county,
which was in Mr.. Johnson's old district:
has thirty-one delegates, and its vote will
settle the contest. Hence it is that Henry
has become the battle ground OF the dis
trict. Watson is strong in New Castle while
Joimson's strength Is largely In the country
towns and townships.
ONE OF JOHNSON'S MEN.
One of Mr.. Johnsons most enthusiastic
followers in Henry county Is Benjamin.
Coons, wealthy and prominent agricul-
turist, living near Mooreland, ten miles east
of this place. No man Is better known in
Henry county that Benjamin Coons. 1t is
said his greatest delight Is when he can
get a crowd about him and in the midst of
a heated argument sound the declarations:
Every Populist and sorehead in Henry
county is for Jim Watson
Mr.. Coons has reached the age Of sixty
years, but he easily bears the burden. He
is one of the quaint characters of the coun-
ty, and this fact gives the boys" license
to have fun with him. The cd man really
prides himself on being the --LATEST man
in the county" and takes pleasure in tell
many years ago he started to town one
day, and on the road met an angular speci-
men of the Yankee tourist. The traveller
was seeking for work and he "held up
Well" said the old man, after parley,
come down to my place next Monday and
"But how will / find your farm" yelled
the tramp as the farmer drove off,
"Oh, just inquire for the LATEST man in
| the county," called back Coons whipping up
| his team.
The next Monday morning bright and
early the tourist presented himself at the
| Coons farmhouse and announced that he
was ready for work The old man came
straight to town and told the joke on him.
| self, and that is the way he got his reputa-
| tion- Some of his friends. however, contend
| that this reputation is NOT deserved. But
| Benjamin Coons is loyal Republican. an
| honest citizen and the latch-string of his
| door always hangs on the outside. And
| then there are others.
Next Wednesday will be a memorable day
| in the history of New Castle and Henry
| county. The voters of this town find them
| selves looking forward to the date with
| that eager excitement which takes pos
session of the small boy just before circus
| day. There is in New Castle the oldest in
| habitant who remembers the coolest day
| that ever blew, and the man who has
| solved the grounding problem, but there
| isn't man in the county that ever had to
| do with a more Derplexing political race
| than this Johnson Watson affair. No man
| can forecast the result. c. A. c.
CHAIRMAN GOWDY.