Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1912-05-19
TOM WATSON AND THE STATE
CONVENTION.

| by the Wilson supporters, it is very
! far from being a fact that Underwood >
success was dependent upon the Thorn
osn statesman, as the organs that sup
ported Wilson would now seek to make
the public believe.
OF course, the purpose of these pa
pers is to discredit the Underwood
campaign and candidacy just as much
as possible. Sore from their defeat
they are, in some instances, indulging
in their natural tendency to bitterness
and invective, tinged with liberal
dose of reckless misrepresentation
They are that way in every campaign
in Georgia.
In the great mass Of counties in the
state it is more than likely that Wat
sons influence practically amountei
to nothing. In this immediate section
of the state, for instance, it is a fact
that his influence in the underwood
election cut practically no figure The
people were for Underwood, and would
have been for Underwood regardless
as to where Watson stood.
In some counties in his own district
he seems to have doomed up as a pref
ty big factor Give him due credit for
this, and for any other elements OF
support he brought to the Underwood
campaign, and still the fact remains
that if he had been out of the field en-
tirely, if he had not opened his mouth
or used his pen in the slightest de-
gree, the state would have gone fol
Underwood
Watson, it must be remembered cuts
both ways, and while he brings SUP.
port he also alienates support.
OF course the clamor in the Wilson
organs about Watson controlling the
state convention and the delegates t.
Baltimore is simply a case of politica
claptrap. 1t is their desire to throw
J discord. if possible, into the Under
wood forces and to pave the way foI
the campaigns of the near future. Sin
lister purposes lie at the root of tn,
greater part of the agitation.
Watson is entitled to credit fo
whatever support he brought the Tn
derwood cause. 1t was not the faul
of the Wilson managers that he was
not lined up in support of the New
Jersey governor. They would hav.
welcomed him to their camp and prob
ably not been slow with their prom
ises. Their thrusts over his body a
the Underwood cause in Georgia, an,
general. do not arise from any SUI
nerior political morality on their part
! # they could have won with Watson
support-and we doubt it-Watson to
! day would stand exactly where he nov
; stands,
Watson has not, it is true. been al
stalwart in his adherence to the part
as might have been wished Bryan, 70
that matter. voted the old Populis
ticket against the Democratic party
and in Georgia many thousand vote
for Palmer and Buckner against bot
Bryan and Watson. Wilson. himseit
has somewhat shady record as t.
party allegiance, not voting in som
campaigns and not lifting his voice TO
! Democracy for many years. If Wat
-on is to be kept from Baltimore o.
that account there would be plenty .
others shut out.
But it is a different proposition
when it comes to turning over h
state convention to his domination
| There is not the slightest reason t
believe that such thing is contem
plated, or that Watson will get an
more than the respectful considerable
to which he is entitled. The stuff tha
is being sent out from Atlanta arise
tmore from the wish than from the ac
trail facts Nothing would please th
| 1isgruntled Wilson managers nor
than TO create a rumpus in the stat
convention. To that end they are work
INC. But the Underwood forces ar
' sensible enough to avoid that and tn
disappointment Of the politicians VIII
we're given setback on May first wi
Ne just as keen after the state conven
ion meets as it is now.