The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-02-08
WHO HAS Lied?
o.; y; ASKS WATTERSON
WASHINGTON.

ilS anu nBIdOAuuSs charging tndt ne
dare not face the facts because il
would be proven that ne had lied, and
adding that he received a most urgent
appeal for money from "a gentleman
of distinction closely associated with.
If not actually directing, the Wilson
organization" Colonel Henry Waiter
son last night fired a broadside at the
New Jersey aspirant for the presi-
dency.
Colonel Watterson's statement is a
bitter denunciation of Governor VIII
son, although he admits that the latter
acted rightly in not supporting ex-
Senator Smith, and he also states that
Thomas +. Ryan did not contribute
any money for the Wilson campaign.
because Governor Wilson thought il
would do him harm" Mr.. Waiter
son pictures Wilson as "groveling at
the feet of Colonel Harvey after the
Manhattan Club interview, and dares
Wilson to ask for the publication of
the "abject letter" he has since writ
ten to Harvey. In conclusion, he saws
that there is no abasement into which
wilson is unable to descend with IA
cility and grace and prays that De
mocracy will be spared from such a
leader.
Colonel Watterson's statement is as
follows:
The time-limit set upon my stay
in the national capital being about to
expire, and Governor Wilson having
refused my offer as to the issue of
veracity he has raised between US to
submit proof of the truth of my aver
ment to party associates competent
to judge both of its character and the
expediency OF its publication, / shall
bring this most distasteful episode to
a close, as far as 1 am concerned.
The claim that i must rush into
print with this proof emanates either
from the perverse or the malignant.
L have 1t, am ready under proper SUI
perViSion to produce it, and can be
asked in reason to do no more. If
should publish 1t, the very men who
are demanding that 1 shall would be
first to accuse me of reckless disre-
gard Of what they would call party
prudence and private rights The sole
issue is whether 1 have lied. as Gov
ernor Wilson says 1 have. or he has
lied, which 1 have engaged conclus-
lively TO show. He dare not face the
facts.
His Parting Shot.
With as brief a review as may be
of the circumstances TO which / owe
the misfortune of having made Gov
ernor Wilson's acquaintance, not TO
mention my endorsement of his plaus-
IDLE but specious pretensiOns. l shall
cease to trouble the public with q con-
troy ersy no wise of my seeking.
During the early summer OF 1915
\
George HAIRY ey, an ola frienp.5at Deai
Beach, his home, in New Jersey.
There arrived for dinner Dr. Wood
row Wilson. then president of Prince
,on. and the Hon. James Smith, Jr.
.ate Senator in Congress. DR. Will
son had never met before. The talk
at table was mainly about the pros
pective nomination of a Democratic
candidate for Governor OF sew Jer-
sey. Drawn into the conversation. l
renturcd the opinion that if nothing
more than Il gOVernOrshtp was in sign,,
x would be a sacrifice for DIR. Wilson
to quit his exalted station at the head
of great university ana sci down
Eto the bull-ring OF politics To strug-
sic Tor prCferInont SO epht neral and
Smith NaH,cd Nothing.
That MAS probably whot Co,onc,
Harvey. who SecIBcu under suluc spec.
wrought 10y Or. Wilson, nau piaii.sCa.
ilr. Smith declared that Lc Nautcu
nothing Tor himself; only TO Sc The
state redeemed; that no one but Dr.
Wilson could redeem il, and the like
la due season DR.. Wilson was nom
mated and elected.
Not long alter l was called to
New York. The situation in New Jer-
sey was explained 10 me. l was told
That Mr.. smith wished TO return to
the Senate. despite his declaration
mat there had been q primary cleo
ton, which had gone by default. in
winch a person OF the name OF Mar
tine, represented as wholly UNFIT, had
obtained rather meager vote; that
Governor Wilson held Senator Smith
10 his bond and stood by the party
pledge touching primary elections la
this he WAS clearly right.
The presidential campaign. to
which the gubernatorial election had
served as prelude, began. In man
ner l had been dragoOned-I will not
say decoyed-into the service of Gov
ernor Wilson and Colonel Harvey.
The succeeding ten months brought
me into confidential relations with
Governor Wilson. Letters passed be-
tween us. Upon his invitation and
ON his business l visited his home in
Princeton. He was good enough last
winter To come To the steamer to see
me off for Europe. We were even
caught 10y the Inevitable kodak fiend
and pictOrialzed in the ribald press
side by side, making quite touching
group.
Has UndeniabIe Talents.
7 found him Il man Of polished
manners, scholarly attachments and
undeniable talents
ION my return from abroad the
Governor met me in New York. Again
in November and December we fore
gathered there. In short. nothing was
wanting to the most cordial and I'M
restrained intimacy.
Il make this detailed statement be-
cause the public might well fancy
from the Governors present attitude
and tone that l had in some way
thrust myself upon him. and that my
friendship and support had not been
desired by him.
The fortnight Immediately preced-
ing the interview at the Manhattan
Club, of which l have been at pains
to say as little as was needful to JUS
uce between man and man. and men
and men, L had done what i could
in the interest of his campaign.
was met on my arrival in New York
by most urgent appeal for money
from gentleman of distinction
closely associated with, if not actual
ly directing. the Wilson organization.
and in answer to this 1 was able at
once to secure a considerable sum of
money. The meeting at the Manhat-
tan Club was designed still further to
push forward and perfect the work
or organization. Else why, and for
what, was the Governor there?
First Silence. Then SnccrS
To confuse and mislead the public
he has latteriy adopted a policy Of
alternate silence and sneering. Civ
ing the lie direct to my statement that
/ was asked to help the financial pnd