The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-21
MR.. WATSON TALKS
SIXTH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE
ARRIVES IN RUsHvILLE.
He Denies that There Was n Caucus
ON the state Convention
Chairmanship.
FOR THE STATE CONVENTION
HEADQUARTERS Of CANDIDATES
WILL BE OPENED MONDAY.
Marion County Delegates to he Sc
Iected Monday Night-Po-
IiticaI Gossip.

Representative James z. Watson yester-
day arrived at Rushville from Washington
to visit his family and attend the Repub-
lican state convention. Mr.. Watson was
seen by the Journals Rushville correspond
ent last night with reference to the stories
published by certain Indianapolis papers
under Washington date lines. detailing
alleged caucus selection of a chairman for
the state convention and the adoption of
platform. Mr.. Watson emphaticaIly denied
that Chairman Hernly and the Indiana
delegation had caucussed on the question
of the craftsmanship and platform. Chair
man Hernly arrived in Washington at noon
on Sunday, April l, and telegraphed ahead
to Mr. Watson 10 meet him at the station.
Mr.. Watson did not go TO the station. and
Mr.. Hernly went direct from the station
to Mr.. Watson's room. Mr.. Watson accom-
panied Chairman Hernly to the home OF
Senator Fairbanks. where they spent half
an hour. The situation in Indiana was in
formally discussed, but no alluslon to the
Craftsmanship or platform was made. Chair
man Hernly remained In Washington but
an hour and a quarter. and then went on
TO New York on business.
Mr.. Hernly returned to Washington on
the following Friday and called on Mr..
Watson on his arrival. Political conditions
in Indiana were discussed and allusion
made to the Craftsmanship of the conven-
ton. Mr.. Watson said that while. from a
personal standpoint, he preferred j. Frank
Hanly for chairman, he thought it would
be political wisdom to confer the chairman
ship on Governor Mount. The platform
was spoken of and Mr.. Watson said he
would be pleased If the state convention
Endorsed the Porto Rican tariff measure.
made. Mr.. Hernly said there was divi-
sion of sentiment on the question, and did
not express himself for or against Porto
Rican plank for the platform.
There was no caucus of the Indiana dele
cation. no platform was presented, and Mr..
Hernly left for Indiana with no instructions
on these questions.
Mr.. Hernly had a brief conversation with
Representatives Lands, Hemenway and
Overstreet In the lunchroom of the House.
but the question of a Porto Rican plank
was not mentioned. The Indiana members,
said Mr.. Watson, while hoping the party
at home would view their action on the
Porto Rican question in the right light.
and indorse the measure, nevertheless pur-
lions on the subject to Mr.. Hernly.
Chairman Hernly had fifteen-minute
talk on the coming campaign in Indiana
with Perry S. Heath. at which Representa-
tive Watson was present, but the Indiana
Republican platform was not mentioned
Chairman Hernly and Representative Wat
son are intimate friends. Mr.. Watson says
business In New York took Chairman
Hernly East, and that his visit to Wash
ington was but an incidental part of the
| trip, and in no respect a political mission
The story that Mr.. Hernly had seer
Mark Hanna and submitted to him draft
of the Indiana platform is a falsehood out
| of whole CLOTH" said Mr.. Watson. Mr.
| Hanna was confined to his home with
| rheumatism, and Mr.. Hernly's visit wa:
| too brief to permit of his seeing many peo
PIE outside of the Indiana members"
Representative Watson is not taking any
| active part in the gubernatorial race. Tn.
Sixth district having no candidate. he prom
| ised his colleagues who have candidates IL
their districts to take no hand in the fight
and as result is steering clear of guber
Material politics.