New-York tribune., 1912-01-27
Colonel Watterson Admits He
Solicited Campaign Funds
Before Break with
Colonel Harvey.
TILLMAN OBTAINS FACTS
Senator'S Demand for Full Story
of Incident Clears Up Sew
eral Points and Exon
crates "Harper's"
Editor.

Washington, Jan. 26.-Interest in the
controversy between Woodrow Wilson
and Colonel George Harvey and Colonel
Henry watterson over Mr.. wilson's
aspirations for the Democratic Presi-
Dental nomination. was revivifed to-
night when Colonel Watterson gave out
correspondence that had passed between
himself and Senator B. r. Tillman, or
South Carolina, yesterday and to-day.
The correspondence exonerated Colonel
Harvey from the rumored charge that
he had sought Thomas F. Ryan's aid
for Wilson. Colonel Watterson's admis-
sion on that point reads:
"As the business proceeded, the name
of Thomas F. Ryan not unnaturally came
into my mind. He Is Democrat. He Is
a virginian. He Is my friend. Knowing
him TO De a disinterested man, havfhg no
axe to grind, hoped that might induce
him to help out what believed a worthy
cause.
Governor Wilson's managers were de-
lighted with the suggestion. Colonel
Harvey had nothing whatever to do with
II, and as far as I am aware, knew moth
ing whatever about it."
In the same letter, Colonel Watterson
reiterates his objections to Governor
Wilson's candidacy, saying:
In some ways he might prove a can
10 hat faar fhQf ~
he became our President we might dis
cover all too late that he possesses per-
sonal peculiarities which would prove
disastrous We want in the White House
a man Of broad mind, as well as polished
intellect, Of heart grateful and kind, no
less than dating"
The corresoondence In Full.
The Watterso l-Tillman correspond
ence In full follows:
Washington, d. c., Jan. Is, 1912
My Dear Sir: Referring 10 the so-called
Harvey w atterson incident, l ma you
quoted by the newspapers OF this morning
10 the following effect:
II had given Henry Watterson credit for
more sense than TO try TO foist on a story
like this with the material Facts con-
cealed. = - -
The man who makes public statement
with the material facts concealed is nj
tie other .lhan seoundrel. I nave tHs
right therefore, TO demand or you upon
what warrant OF authority you make lniS
serious accusation against me. and to ask
a reply through my friend, the non. S"a-
gar Sherley, OF Kentucky.
With great respect, -,,r,nsoN
Hon. 3. r. TiilmaE.
Senator Tillman's answer reiterated
the charge of concealment Of facts. and
reads:
United States Senate. Washington, Jan. %.
1912. -
NV Dear Sir: In your note OF January
25 handed me by the Hon. Swager sheriey,
YOU call my attention 10 an interview Wnlch
had given out in reference TO the harvey
Watterson- Wilson incident, In which l say.
Il had given Henry Watterson credit for
more sense than 10 try TO foist OF story
like this with the material facts concealed.
You demand TO know upon what warrant
of authority you make this serious accusa-
ton against me. .
In your statement to the press you de-
scribed in detail the rupture between Gov,
ernor Wilson and Colonel Harvey, but SAID
nothing as TO what caused IT, All the lead
ing papers Of the country seem 10 know
why Governor Wilson severed relations
with Colonel Harvey, and you. as d lead
ing newspaper man and self-confessed eS-
pert groomer OF Presldential canoiuates'
must have known IL at the time your state
uent was published. / very properly con-
cIuded that you knew the reasons for the
rupture and. when you made puonc the
manner in which II occurred without giving
the causes you were unquestionaoly con-
Cealing the material facts
Very respectfully yours,
B. r. TILLMAN.