The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1912-1984, 1912-05-03
GOV. BEcKHAm ANSWERS
WATTeRsONS ATTACKS
Former Executive Declares Courier
Journals Policy Is Upon Po-
Iitical BARGAIN Counter

Watterson has been making upon
him and his friends in the Courier
Journal the past few weeks. Gov.
Beckham says in part:
"To the Democrats of Kentucky:
"The Acent libelous attacks upon
me by Watterson in the Courier
journal would not warrant any res
ponse from me, except for their
bearing upon the political situation
in Kentucky and the evidence which
tiey give of his sinister purposes. !!
dislike u personal controversy with
any man, but especially so with a
man absolutely devoid of all sense
Of honor and wanting in every in
stinct of gentleman: who utter
disregard for the truth and the Gus
ltomary decencies of debate or dis
Icussion between gentlemen. suggests
that his perception Of the difference
between right and wrong. between
truth and falsehood. has been dulled.
"When Watterson stated that |
conspiracy to capture the Kentucky
delegation and barter it for our sell
fish interests at the Baltimore cor
vention. he uttered deliberate and
wilful falsehood. No living man
knows better than he does. that am
not Of the bartering kind. for there
has not been time in the last ten
wears that could not have pur-
chased his cheap flattery and i'm
munity from attacks in his paper by
sacrifice of my self-respect and
the public interest.
"No longer ago than last January
The well remembers the circum-
s;ances). il | had agreed to support
him in getting the instruction from
this state. for the nomination for
the presidency. | would now be the
victim of his loathsome praise rath-
err than the honored object of his
Scurrilous abuse. ] NAV not be en-
titled to any credit for spurning the
consideration of such a ridiculous
and egregious suggestion of political
folly. but Kentucky Democrats will
at least commend me for having re-
fused t. become party to a scheme
that would have had them indorsing
for the highest office within the gift
of the people q man who has not
character enough to qualify him to
hold the lowest office in the land.
81 could have escaped the coveted
calumnieS of his pen and paper
come years ago. if | had yielded to
him to run for Governor Of Ken
lucky. And in 1907. when as Cover
nor. ! had to appoint Mayor and
other Officers in the city of Louis
vile. could have insured nv cleo
ton to the United States Senate b,
turning over to his gang the appoint
ments of those offices and suTren-
dering my determination to see that
the laws of the Commonwealth were
enforced in that city. | might give
other instances, if necessary, t.
show that no one knows better than
he that his recent charges against
me We're absolutely and wholly false
aud were born If the hate and ma
lice which he has felt toward me for
several wears.
~ place upon the blacklist of his
paper. though at times unpleasant. Is
an honor To he sought by any con-
Scientious public man in Kentucky.
No man in public life can retain fo'
'Qny length of time the favor and
Ipraise of that paper and of its edi
tor and at the same time retain his
>elf-respect and the confidence of
the people. Whom it cannot control,
IL seeks to DESTROY.
| "Natterson attacked the private
character of W. j. Bryan: hi, at
tack> upon Grover Cleveland were
no less violent; he called Governor
Wilson, of New Jersey. "a crook
and 81 with many other distinguish
ed men whom he disliked. or of whom
he was Jealous. he has poured out
upon them the walls of his vindictive
and splenetic rage. in language fire.
quently that only drunken vulgar
ian would use.
| "lie has for wears SUSPECTED me
of standing in the way of some of
some OF his ab-ured ambitions. and
consequently he ha, placed me in
n the illustri1us ranks of those who
have enjoyed the distinction of be-
inc the objects of his ennobling
abuse. can still lay claim 10 the
confidence of the good people of
Kentucky. inasmuch rs for many
wears, ! have not subjected myself
to suspicion, by havin0 my name
praised in the columns of his paper.
Whenever politician receives much
praise from him, it j. time for hon
est people to grow suspicious and to
make IN investigation of his char
acter and associations"
Coy. Beckham goes on to saw that
he has taken no active part in the
selection of any delegates to the
national convention. He saws ;
"While. as a private citizen. in the
quiet pursuit of my professional
business, have felt a deep interest