The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-11-12
WATSON TELLS
OF HIS DEFEAT
SAYS THAT LOCAL OPTION
QUESTION WAS THE
CAUSE OF HIS LOSS.
Says Grant County Turned Against
Him-Was Handicapped By His
Platform.

James 4. Watson was interviewed
at his home in Nashville, concerning
his views on his recent defeat III
rae FOR Governor of Indiana,
Good cheer and happiness reignel
and smiles and laughter were seen
and heard on all sides If some OF
Watson's loyal friends who were
pictures OF despair could have seen
him, it would have at least lifted
part of the heavy load off their
learts.
Mr. Watson was elated with tae
dig vote rendered him by his neigh
oors and friends in Rush county, and
expressed his deepest gratitude for
;heir hearty support.
Are you satisfied with your cam
.aign?" was asked Mr.. Watson and
lie promptly replied: Il am entirely
satisfied with my campaign. ! made
more speeches than any other man
that ever ran for governor in this
state, and my defeat is. not due 10
any lack of effort on my part"
To what do you attribute your
defeat?" he was asked
Wholly on the question OF local
1otion The liquor Republicans wers
more in favor OF liquor than they
were in favor OF their party. The
temperance Democrats on the 9TH
er hand we're Democrats before they
were temperance people. The grea,
majority of Prohibitionists care moth
ng about temperance, their only OBJ
jet being to defeat the Republican
party, and they voted their ticket.
Some temperance Democrats voted
for me, and those Prohibitionists
who really cared anything abou,
temperance voted in the same raw.
The majority Of the people, however
have said at the ballot boxes that
they were not in favor OF county To-
cal option, and on that question !
was beaten"
Did you apprehend defeat at any
time previous to the election"
In answer TO this Mr. Watson said
II can truthfully state that up to
within three weeks ago never once
entertained the idea that | could be
elected | told Senator Hemenway
and State Chairman Goodrich many
times that | was beaten though |
made as game a hOht as | could pos
sibly make solely on the standpoint
to discharge my obligations to my
party. Three weeks ago the currents
set in our way and the last week OF
the campaign ! became hopeful OF
success, though | was never satisfied
tirat | could be chosen. told my
wife on Sunday before election that
it was turn of the hand and | real
~ felt that way about it, though
knew that our gains had been mate
rial for the two weeks preceding that
day"
How do you feel over your de-
feat?"
well" Mr. Watson replied, Il am
philosopher, and | am never undu-
ly elated by success or unduly de-
pressed by defeat The first race I
ever made was for the nomination
secretary OF state, an | was beaten
in the convention in the spring oil
1894 was nominated and elected
to Congress that fall, but in 1896 !
was beaten for denomination to con-
gress. so | have twice before this
TING tasted the sorrows OF defeat
am conscious of the fact that | did
the best ! could throughout my cam.
paign and | have no regrets whatever
to express. | fought out my prop
osition straight from the shoulder in
every section of the state had mag
ni6cent audiences everywhere. and
most cordial and enthusiastic recep-
tons If | had the power to change
any single day in the entire campaign
would not consent to such a
change"