The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-04-05
Are Specializing as to What
Action Former Congress-
man Intends to Take in Po-
liticaI Game.
WILL EDGAR N. HAAS
GET POSTMASTERSHIP?
Watson Appears to Be Dictat-
ing to Barnard and Is Ap-
parentIy Handing Out the
District PIums.
Especial correspondent.)

Especial correspondent.)
Indianapolis, April 5.-James E.
Watson is somewhat of a puzzler for
the politicians these days. They can
not understand exactly what he is up
to. 1t is, of course, generally accept
ed here as fact that Watson will
be candidate again for the republi-
can nomination for governor of the
state in 1912, but there are many who
say that 1t is not by any means cer-
tainty that he can be nominated. or,
II nominated, elected. Therefore. they
cannot understand his maneuvers at
this time. They say Watson would not
likely spend the next four years at
fixing things to land the nomination
for governor, when there is uncer-
tainty as to whether the state will go
republican or democratic.
Turned Down Good Jobs.
Watson has turned down several
mighty good jobs at Washington. ac-
cording to recent dispatches from
there. One was the offer of minister
to Cuba. which pays $4,000 year.
Another was governor of Porto Rico,
at $4,000 year and a fine house to
live In down there. but Watson turn
cd down both offers. which are said
to have been made to him by PreSi-
dent Taft. He refused to go to Cuba
because 1t would cost more than &12,-
900 q year for the American minister
TO live there and maintain his house
With becoming dignity. He could not
afford to- make the sacrifice. The
Porto Rico gOvernorship he turned
down without giving any specific rea-
son for it. Later Watson said he in
tended to return to Rushville and take
UP his law practice and try to make a
living and little more. 1t was
thought at the time that this was
probably his real intention. but since
then he has remained in Washington
and he appears to be having about as
much to do with running the present
session OF congress as he would have
II he were still member of the house
of representatives. Speaker Cannon
relies on Watson. as he used to. to
whip republican members into line.
10 Consulted With.
The Hoosier statesman is called in
TO conference with the republican
leaders Of the nation on the most i'm
portAnt matters. and now comes the
Information that Watson is being con-
sulted-even being allowed to dictate
postoffice appointments in the Sixth
district. Just why this distinction and
privilege should be given him is more
than the politicians here can under
stand. for Watson is no longer con-
gressman. He was succeeded last fall
by w. o. Barnard. of New Castle, but
Congressman Barnard seems to be
having only about half of the say SO
about who shall receive the appoint
aments in the Sixth district
This IL what stumps the politicians.
They say II Watson intended to settle
down In the practice of law he would
not be staying in Washington helping
to rum the government. If he expects
to again be a candidate for governor.
they say. he surely would keep his
hands off Of the federal appointments.
for every time Watson dictates an ap-
pointment OF a postmaster. II he does
this 1t all. he will open a sore in that
nammunity.
For Congress Again?
One theory OF watson's course. as It
Il being talked of here, is that he is
getting ready to run for the nomin-
ation for congress again in the Sixth
district, and that this Is why he is SO
active in regard to postoffice appoint
ments in that district. Whether this
Ii true or not remains to be seen.
Word from Washington says that
Watson and Congressman Barnard
have had = conference there and that
they have agreed on some of the post
masters for the Sixth district and 1t
is pointed out that 1t is very unusual
and q peculiar situation when a for
mer congressman is able to dictate
appointments In this manner It is
said that Edward Haas. chairman OF
the Sixth district republican commit
tee, 10 slated for the postmastership
at Richmond. II an agreement has
been reached between Barnard and
Watson as to some Of the appoint
ments the fact Is expected to have a
strong bearing on the next congress
eional race In the Sixth district. Will
Hough. OF Greenfield. will be candi-
date against Barnard. for the nomin-
ation for congressman in the next con-
gressional convention. Senator Ed
ward e. Moore. OF Connersville. who
represents Rush, Fayette and Han
cock counties in the upper branch of
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