Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-07-19
SENATOR WATSON
WANTS CAMPAIGN
TOSTART QUICKLY
Senior Senator Believes No De-
lay Should Be COuntenanced.
WANTS TO KEEP UP
INTEREST AT ALL TINES

The Senator Believes Campaign
Should Be Started Without Delay
Because He Fears That Would Be
Danserous-Wants Harmony In the
Party During Battle, And Thinks
There Will Be
Washington, July Ex-senator Clar
ence w Watson, of West Virginia.
who was one of those who led the
movement that fially broke the Balti-
more convention deadlock and result
ed in the nomination of Governor VIII
son, believes that the Democratic
campaign should begin at once and
that il should not be relaxed until the
vote is cast in November.
The Senator does not take the po-
sition that Governor Wilson should
himself 90 at once into the fight. He
advises, however. that the party lead
ers generally plunge in and keep
alive that well-founded confidence in
Democratic success until the nomin-
ee~ himself makes his appearance be.
fore the people.
In stating his reason for this atti-
tude, Senator Watson says he kows
absolutely that there are important in
terests throughout the country now
waiting to see if a strong reaction
,sets in against the New Jerseyan. If
there is such a reaction, the support
of these interests will be thrown prob
ably to President Taft.
Wants Campaign Opened Now
On the first place" said Senator
Watson, lit is my deliberate iudg-
ment that the Democratic leaders
should no longer put off the opening
of the campaign. There should be rat
ifcation meetings in New York. Chi
cage in St Louis and somewhere on
the Pacific Coast The enthusiasm
over Wilson'S nomination should not
be allowed to wane. If it does, we
will find it mre difficult than we sup
pose to meet the opposition that will
rally to Taft. | say this with full
knowledge of the effect the Roosevelt
campaign will have upon Taft's chan
ces.
"The meetings which l suggest
should be held of course, in addition
to that at which Governor Wilson win
deliver his speech of acceptance.
They should be addressed by Speaker
Clark. Mr. Underwood and, if possible
by Governor Harmon. Where it is
not practicable to have these party
leaders followers of Clark, Under
wood and Harmon should take part
in the meetings.
Wants Show OF Harmony Upheld
1T is important that the appear
ance of party harmony should be
maintained Many of us who are in
daily contact with the political forces
in the party know that there is har
mony, but 1t is more necessary that
the country at large feel it and act
upon it.
Il have personal knowledge of rea-
sons why it would be unfortunate for
party success if the Democratic cam
paign were allowed to lag and the
confidence which We now feel in the
outcome weakened. There are inter
ests throughout the country which in
every campaign 90 to the candidate
who looks most like a winner These
intrests are not OF the band-wagon
sort, but they instinctively turn to the
winning side, and their support is of
the greatest value to any party. This
is why I suggest to Governor Wilson's
managers that they should begin cam
paigning actively at once"
Goes to State Convention
Senator Watson has gone to Hunt
ington to attend the Democratic State
Convention Shortly after he returns
to Washington he will 90 to Sea Girt
for personal conference with Govern
or Wilson. He will at that time lay
his ideas before the Democratic nom
inee and will impress him with the
importance of an early and a contin-
uous campaign.