The semi-weekly messenger., 1908-02-28
KrTCTIIS GETS MAD.
Says Goycrnor Glenn or Anybody Else
Who Says He Opposed the Watts
Law Is = Liar.

m20e, the luCI0Eut S0OUIu Oc
passed over. Whether or not all the
details OF the stories in circulation
are true, the following account is
vouched for by no less citizen than
State Senator Charles A Webb, or
Asheville, who was not only wit
; ness but principal in the episode.
According to Mr.. Webb's statement,
a party had gathered in the lobby of
rss...ona! F".Ai and as might be
expected, were discussing men and
measures especially as relating TO the
present gubernatorial campaign. Mr.
Kitchin, candidate for the nomination
for governor and one of the speakers
of the day, was present and lead
er in the conversation.
| When someone mentioned the Watts
act, MT Webb, who was standing over
near the stove, asked Mr.. Kitchin II
, he had not opposed 1t. This Mr.. Kit
chin denied. Mr. Webb then called
him over to where he was standing
and together they walked of 10 one
side where they could talk without
being overheard. Their conversation
In substance follows:
II want TO ask YOU TO let me see
the statement Of your platform II
YOU have It handy. which you made
out in 1904 when the Watts act was
being discussed so much?" asked Sen
ator Webb.
Il think have it with mo- re-
sponded Mr Kitchin, but before |
show it to you I want to ask you a
question
Certainly" replied NJ. Webb. and
| will answer it if possibly car"
What was Mr.. Craig's attitude
with reference TO a dispensary for
Asheville when the matter was agi-
tated some ten years ago?'
Mr Webb's answer was that he did
not know whar Mr.. Craig's position
with reference to this matter was at
that time: that the agitation was
nothing more than a political distur
bance which no one regarded serious
ly and which never gave hope az any
time Of developing into anything de-
finite He adued that he had never
heard Mr.. Craig express himself and
hence could not return a positive re-
ply.
: The conversation reverted to the
question Of Mr.. Kitchin's position with
! reference to the Watts act end the
statement which he had outlining his
aiatform during the campaign of
1904.
WHO told you that VA, oy,os"d
J to the Watts act?" demanded Mr..
: Kitchin.
, ~ have heard this from a nuraber
of people," replied Mr. Webb. Gov
ernor Glenn told me that you were
opposed to the Watts act"
This, Mr. Webb declared seemed to
arouse Mr.. Kitchin's ire for he de-
clared in a loud voice that IF Cover
nor Glenn or anybody else said l OPP
posed the Watts act he is a liar
Don't talk SO loud" warned Mr.,
Webb "It is possible that l may have
misunderstood Governor Glenn al
though l am sure that l did not
With this and in the same tone of
voice MT. Kitchin repeated the asser-
ton that if Governor Glenn or any
body else said that he had opposed the
Watts act then he lied.
With this the two men walked back
into the lobby Of the hotel, Mr.. Kit
chin having found that the desired
statement was in his grip in his room.
AS he came within hearing of the
crowd, he reiterated his former state
ment only modifying it in words useC
by saying that if anymte said that
he opposed the Watts act that such
statement was an absolute and un-
qualified falsehood. He then told Mr..
Webb that he would permit him to
read his written statement after the
speaking.
Mr.. Webb declared that Mr.. Kitch-
in seemed to be terribly wrought up
and beside himself with anger. He
smoke as if he were a madman, for
2ettins who he was talking about and
where he was.
This in substance is the episode
referred to and which owing to the
prominence of the parties involved is
Of peculiar interest.
AS to the statement, Mr.. kitchln
used extracts from it to substantiate
his declaration made in his speech
that he had not opposed the Watts
act He only read such extracts as he
himelf deemed expedient.
MI Webb called for it after the
speaking was over and found this
significant declaration well displayed
and properly dressed in words which
said that he (Mr Kitchin) favored the
Watts act but believed that the coun-
ties should have the right to decide
for themselves on this question. This
Mr.. Webb contended was nothing
, more than a begging of the question
and no proof at all that he favored
the Watts act but rather that he was
not for it and therefore against it
This Mr. Kitchin disclaimed and there
the matter rests.
: The original of this statement oi
; platform is now in the hands of q
Charlotte lawyer and will be given te
the press within a few days-Char-
lotte Observer