The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-10-22
OLD SOLDIERS
RESENT ATTACKS
CIVIL WAR VETERANS ANGER
ED BY CHARGES IN CIRCU-
LAR LETTERS SENT
OUT BY SULLIVAN
AGAINST WAT
SON.

L hat the old soldiers OF the state
are standing practically as a unit for
James E. Watson is shown in reports
that are being received at Republican
state headquarters. The old soldiers
the state over are resenting the at
tack on Watson and Goodwine made
in the circular sent out by B. w Sui
Ivan OF this city. 1t was reported yes
terday that these circulars were sent
out by the Democratic state commit
tee, nut it was denied at'state head
quarters. Democrats at county head
quarters also disclaimed knowledge of
it. Mr.. Sullivan, however, has admit
ted writing the circular.
Capt. Eli Ritter, who was one of the
committee which sought 10 have the
bill providing an appropriation for
the preservation of the states battle
flags, and who signed the report of
the state G. A. r. eneampment at Fl.
Wayne which censured Senator Good
wine for an alleged attempt to defeat
the passage of the bill, when ask
about the circular gave out state
ment yesterday in which he resented
the attack on the Republican nomi-
nees. The report signed by Capt Rit-
ter is embodied in the circular sent
out by Sullivan. Capt Ritter's state
ment was as follows:
Il know nothing at all about the
preparation or who is sen ing these
documents out. | suppose they are be-
ing scattered broadcast all over the
state from the calls that are coming
10 me in regard to the same.
Il admit that one OF the reports in
this document was signed by me-
was not present, however. when the
same was prepared, and it was
brought to me when | was very bus :,
and | signed it carelessly without
giving it proper attention. My atten-
ton was called to it soon after it was
signed, and / repudiated the severe
criticisms OF Senator Goodwine which
it contained
Il take this occasion to state en-
rhauically that l am for James f.
Watson for Governor, Fremont
Goodw5ne for Lieutenant Governor
and w. H. Taft for President, and
snail cast a vote to that effect the Bird
day of next November
Jabez Smith, a veteran OF joel
Wolfe Post. G. A. R., OF Nashville,
who has just completed trip through
the northern part OF the state TO as
certain the sentiment OF the old sol
diers. found that about 90 per cent of
veterans in the cities he visited de-
clared for Watson.
Mr.. Smith first visited the Anderson
| G.. ~ r. Post and found that out of
les members, 161 intended to vote for
Watson and Goodwine At Marion
ne found only seven who would sup
port Marshall out of the 219 members
| of the Post there. AT Button, a
| Democratic stronghold, half OF the
sixty-four members of the G. A. R.
Post there said they intended to sup
| port Marshall Mr. Smith found that
out of the 100 members of the G. A.
r. Post at Fort Wayne all but ten
will support Watson. At huntington
fourteen of the seventy members of
the G.. A. R. Post there declared for
Marshall.
Mr.. Smiths next stop was made at
Wabash, where 1914 old soldiers were
enrolled. OF this number $50 said
they intended to vote for Wa son. Mr..
Smith next went to Peru, where he
found that ont of seventy-ive G. A.
R. members enrolled there fifty five
would support Watson. AT Muncie
he found that sixteen out of 1874
G. AR veterans would support Mar
| shall.
| Democratic workers have been en-
deavoring TO line up the old soldiers
at the Lafayette and Marion Soldiers
Homes, but have failed to make much
Roadway. AT a recent Watson meet
ing at the Lafayette Home, old sol
ders who wore Marshall buttons tore
them from their coats after listening
| TO Watson's address.