The Washington herald., 1907-09-20
INDIANA SLIPS A COG
Political Machine JOlted by
WatSOn'S Candidacy.
AT ODDS WITH FAIRBANKS
Republican whip ia House Decides
lie Would BE Governor, Regardless
OF WiShes of Vice PresIdent-NIHy
Mean Rucgion ia Pnrty-Hurried
Conference Called in indianapolis.

A strange story comes from Indiana
the story OF a political machine that has
slipped a cog
An echo Of the mlshap has been heard
in Washington wheTeat there is much
grave speculation, even dire foTebodings.
According to the gossip, 1t may mean
the nipping in the bud of one OF the more
promising political careers, or possibly
that the Fairbanks Presidential boom
may not keep 10 its schedule.
The press dispatches announced few
DAYS ago that Representative james Z.
Watson Republican whip Of the House
Of Representatives.. had announced his
candidacy for the Republican nomination
for governor. The same dispatches car
ried the information that the announce
ment meant a fight to a finish between
the Fairbanks and the Beveridge factions
in Hoosierland, represented respectively
by Watson and Charles ". Miller. former
attorney general Of the State. The story
bore every evidence OF authenticity on its
face 10 those persons familiar with the
past workings Of Indiana Republican poll
tics.
Mr. Miller has been the one Beveridge
man in the State who has been able to
invariably prevail in politics in spite of
the Fairbanks machine. Representative
Watson has been a faithful oiler of the
Fairbanks political machine.
Said TO be a Def.
But the real story comes from Indiana
that Mr.. Watson announced his candi-
dacy for governor in defiance Of the Fair
banks organization. He goes into the
Tace on his own individual motion,
against the advice. and even over the
protests Of Vice President Fairbanks.
Senator Hemenway. State Chairman
Goodrich. OF the Republican committee,
and Joseph 3. Healing. United States
attorney, and manager Of the Fairbanks
boom.
There are Indiana Republicans who pre-
dict that AIr. Wats0ns attitude means
his elimination from Indiana politics. BY
announcing his candidacy for governor.
Mr. Watson burned his Congressional
bridges behind him. He will not be a
candidate for Congress again, and on
March T. 1909, viii cease 70 be "a member
Of the body In which he will have seen
conspicuous service for twelve years.
Peace Terms Upset.
The Fairbanks organization deemed 1t
prudent this year to make terms with its
whilom enemies, the Beveridge faction,
TO the end that the Vice President might
have united delegation in the next
national convention. One outcome Of this
arrangement was the agreement of the
machine TO support ex-Attorney General
Miller for governor. Mr.. Watson was not
disposed 10 fOrego his ambition 10 be
governor to advance the Presidential
ambitions Of the Vice President His
friends claim that he has made many
sacrifices 10 preserve the autonomy Of the
Fairbanks organization. He has seen
others with no more, and probably with
less ability. than himself advanced, while
he has stood stlH politically In an
nOuncing his candidacy for governor, he
does not necessarily defy the machine
they say, but merely refuses 10 have his
political ambitions subordinated 10 those
Of the Vice President
Confer in Hurry.
The action Of Representative Watson
Is matter Of grave concern TO Repub-
hcan leaders in Indiana Senator Bev-
eridge is hurrying home from his Euro
pean honeymoon two weeks ahead Of
time. Gov. Hanly has been recalled from
an Eastern lecture tour, and Vice Presi-
dent Fairbanks, it was learned yesterday
has convened Senator Hemenway and
others Of his trusted lieutenauts In an
extraordinary session at Indianapolis 10
deal with the unexpected situation created
by Representative Watsou's announce
ment.