The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1910-03-03
LETTER FROM JUDGE j. T. WATKINS

long to them and not some one else."
LETTER FROM JUDGE j. T. WATKINS
FEBRUARY 26, 1910.
Editor Gibsland News, Gibsland, La:
Hind Friend-In your issue of the 18Th
instant you state:
Judge Murff OF Shreveport is taking
advantage Of Congressman Watkins ab.
sence and is putting in some good time il
electioneering for his position, charging
Judge Watkins with voting with the Re,
publicans. Voting with the Republicans
seems to be grave charge, whether the
measure is right or wrong"
"The National platform, adopted al
Denver, Colorado, announced the funda.
mental principles of the Democratic party
1t also contained statements of policies,
which were not fundamental; but which
would have been carried out if the ext
gencies would have permitted:
One Of the principles announced was
that there should be tariff for revenue.
Hon. Henry D, Clayton of Alabama acas
tie Chairman Of that Coerention. sub
mitted the above clipping and one from the
Shreveport paper to him and he replied:
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. %, 1910.
Hon. J. j. Watkins, House of Representatives,
Washington, D. c.
My Dear Sir: Ihaye yours of February
21st, enclosing certain excerpts from news
papers rejecting upon your party loyalty.
Your note seems to call for some expires.
sion from me as Chairman of the Demo-
cratic Caucas of the House Of Represeta-
tives. | have always tried to refrain from
interfering in contests among my Demo.
cratic brethren in Congressional Districts,
and do not intend now to depart from my
rule. However, it is right and proper for
me to say that ever since you have been
member Of Congress, you have been
consistent and devoted Democrat. Your
votes and speeches have always been in
line with the principles of your party. !
think you have been attendant upon every
Democratic House Caucus since ] have
been its chairman, covering period of
several years. While attendant upon the
different meetings of the caucus you have
frequently taken an active part in the de-
alterations. You have always stood by
the caucus actions of your party, as well
as its principles,
AS to the insinuation that you have sup
ported the Cannon rules and "Cannon.
sm," have to say that you have never
done such, nor have you given aid to the
Republicans, directly or indirectly. Your
services here have demonstrated you to be
loyal Democrat, faithful, industrious
and efficient representive of your people,
Your very truly,
HENRY D. CLAYTON.
Col. Clayton states facts which it is his
business, as Chairman of the Democratic
caucus, to know, and he has no personal
interest in.tHe matter.
The letter of Hon. Champ Clark, the
Democratic leader in the House of Repre-
entatives, which was published last year,
contained substantially the same state
nents, 1t was written after voted to re-
luce the tariff on rough lumber from two
ollars thousand to one dollar; which
ook off the protection On lumber and put
on revenue basis. This vote is the sole
ause OF complaint of those whose wrath
7as pent up while was at home last fall:
ut whose righteous indignation has broken
pose now while am tied up in the dis
barge Of my official duties.
When the opportunity presents itself |
I'LL elaborate the statement which made
my position on the lumber tariff in the
louise of Representatives on the Oath in
tant, as shown on page 1856 of the Con-
ressional Record, and give the facts and
cures which will show my consistency all
1e way through, without reference to nv
andidacy for recollection to the office T
ow occupy.
am, with great respect, yours truly,
J. T. WATKINS.