The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-05-01
HUGHES IN 1895.
Henry watterson Back From Eu-
rope-He Says He Has Wasered
the Governor Will Be President.


Henry watterson and his wife re-
turned yesterday on the Hamburg
American liner Amerika after win
ter spent in Spain, Italy and on the
Rivera. Coz. watterson looked in
the best Of health as he came down
the liners gangplank, and he declar-
ed that he had had the best OF good
times while on the other side Of the
Atlantic.
He discussed presidential candidates
at some length and declared that
Bryan was the only alternative for
the Democratic party in 1908, and
that there was good presidential tim
Der in Gov. Hughes for the Repubii-
cans
II an taking President Roosevelt
at his word, said Col. Watterson. IF
I remember rightly he said to a group
of journalists that he would not ac-
cept another nomination, and that if
the convention met and nominated
him it would have to reconvene. I
say that L don't think Roosevelt wants
the nomination, but if did take it
he could not win. BY his action he
would lose three New England States.
The proposition to keep one man
IN the White House for life, or even
for three terms would Mexicanize
this I-ctry just as sure as would Is
to Roosevelt might dodge the
nomination IN 1seS 10 take it in
1912. but that is looking too far
ahead. You might as well try to
state what viii happen one hundred
years from now as toi predict what
will happen in politics in this country
within the next eight years"
From Roosevelt and Bryan the colo
mel turned to a discussion of Gov.
Hughes. he declared that Hughes
was force to be reckoned with in
Republican politics.
IT predicted last June" he said,
@that Hughes would succeed Roo<e-
velt in the White House. At that
time Horace White Mr.. Hughes and
I were at Brown University, where
the degree of Ii. D. was conferred on
each, and I told Hughes that while
some Republicans might not like
him. they would have to select him.
I believed Hughes Will be to, the Re
publican party what Tilden was to
the Democratic. have in my pocket
a ticker in the Paris nautuals calling
for 100 to / that Hughes will be the
next president of the United States. 7"
Coz. watterson was asked what he
knew about ..the rich. mans conspi-
racv.v He smiled a.sd replied that
ne knew nothing about conspiracy Of
rich men, but there was plain evi-
dence that the lines were being, close
" drawn between the president and
the field. To another question as to
whether he had heard the report
that Assistant Postmaster General
Hitchcock was in the south looking
after disloyal Office holders, Col.
watterson replied that he, had not
heard OF the report.
81 suppose it goes without the say
ing that the vice president is not in
the field for fun. He means business,
and what is more he has plenty OF
money with which to pay the freight.
There is plenty of freight loose in the
SOUTH
From Fairbanks the colonel switch
ed TO Taft. He said that in his opln-
ion a defeat for Taft in the Ohio prl-
maries would not mean the with
drawal Of Taft from the race. He
poitned out that in 1892 Cleveland
had been nominated after the New
York delegation had refused 20 stand
for him.
He continued: Roosevelt may be
playing practical politics in this
state to obtain the New York delega-
t,on for Taft. Roosevelt knows how
70 play the game, and play it we'll He
has been playing practical politics
for some time. He certainly seems
to have played Mr.. Hartman most
effectively
what do you think of Mr.. Bry-
ans declaration for the initiative and
referendum he was asked.
81 am not surprised" he said, "fo1
Mr.. Bryan is fond of political specu-
,ations. and I am not surprised at
anv novelty he may trot out Then
Won must remember that Mr.. Bryan