The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-07-15
MR.. WATSON'S
CANDIDACY.
Announces Himself as an Independent
Candidate for Senator.
REPUBLICAN OUTLOOK is BRIGHT.
The Friends Of the Ex-senator Claim Tina
He was Defeated For the Democratic
Nomination by Questionable
Methods-A Triangular
Fight.

The announcement that Ex-senator Malachi
Watson, of town, had been urged to become
an independent candidate for Senator in this
district, caused a small sensation in political
circles, especially among the friends and sup
pOrters OF John +. Higgins, who was nomi-
mated at GirHrdyille this week by what the
friends OF Watson claim were questionable
methods. There is every reason to believe
that Mr. Watson's independent movement
will make things exceedingly interesting in
the Ihirtieth Senatorial district. There will
be three candidates when the Republicans
have made their nomination, and it will not
require the discernmcut Of a political
prophet to predict the result i'm November-it
VIII be simply a question Of plurality be.
tween the Republican and Mr.. Watson the
regular Democratic nominee, as is generally
acknowledged, cannot win in a three-cOruered
fight.
\ representative of the HERALD called
upon Mr.. Watson this morning to ascertain
the correctness Of the rumOr, and that gentle.
man frankly admitted that he was an indie.
pendent candidate for Senator, and his
manner indicated that he was in earnest. In
reply to the inquiry as to what caused him to
take the step he said
Eight years ago 1 was a candidate for
Senator in this district, at the convention
held in Ashland, and had more than enough
votes IN the convention to secure my nomina.
ton, but | was counted out. The same
scheme, and by some of the same men.
was worked at Girard vile. | quietly sub.
mItted and remained passive to the treat
ment received eight years ago, aud would
probably have done the same thing this wear.
but my friends insist that ! no longer sub.
NIT, in justice to their loyalty, to such dis
graceful scenes as were enacted at Girard-
ville.'
Mr.. Watson further stated that had he
been defeated by fair means he would have
honestly worked for the success Of his op-
pOnent. The committee on credentials, and
the lavish use of Doodle, brought about his
defeat. He claims to have had a majority of
the votes in the convention, but the manipu-
Iation Of the committee on credentials. the
throwing out of his delegates, and the lavish
use Of money by the Higgins men succeeded
in defeating him by the narrow margin
of 575 votes. Had the contested
districts been honestly considered his
delegates would have been seated
and he would have easily been nomi.
mated. The committee on credentials. how
ever, refused to allow the contesting dele
gates to appear before them, and two dele
gates were thrown out by an unwarranted
usurpation Of power, in order to save the
Higgins chairman whose seat was contested
and who would thus he deprived of election
as chairman. Mr.. Watson concluded by say.
ing that he was undoubtedly the favorite
candidate before the convention, and believes
the Democratic voters will so decide in No
yember.
In justification of the claim that the
Watson delegates were the regular dele
gates 1t is cited that the convention in Maha-
10y City so declared The delegates seated
at Granville from the First ward of Mana
noy City Higgins men are said to have
acknowledged that the contesting delegates
were entitled to their seats.
Mr.. Watson has about concluded the neces.
sary arrangements to take out papers. He
was in POttsville yesterday for that PURPOSE.
The announcement of Mr.. Watson's candi-
dacy has caused CONSERVATION among his
opponents. They recognize his popularity
among the voters, and that his greatest
strength will come from the Democratic
ranks. Besides, he is known as an aggressive
lighter, and has the means to thoroughly can.
yass the district, In the Republican ranks
the announcement is received with satisfac-
ton, because in a three-cornered fight the
Democratic vote in this district will neces.
sarily be divided, and the Republican candi.
date will reap the benefit.