Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-05-28
WILL LEAD
FIGHT ON WATSON
AT Convention
.WatSoR'S Latest Attack on
City Politicians and Fifth
District Caucus Draws
Blood


vention Wednesday. Thomas B. Field
er, of Atlanta, who was Endorsed Sat
urday by the Fifth district caucus for
one of the delegate-at-large places to
the Baltimore convention, will be the
standard-bearer for the antI-Watson-
ties
And a battle royal is promised
IF you want to see an eel skinned
and skinned properly just come to the
convention remarked Mr.. Fielder
Monday morning in commenting upon
the fight which he will lead against
Watson.
One by one The Journals exclusive
news stories concerning the political,
situation are being verified A few
days ago while the Underwood leaders
were vigorously denying that there
Journal printed a story to the effect
that a secret caucus of the leaders had
been called to decide upon the fate of
Watson and to map out a program for
the convention.
This was vehemently denied and 1t
was reiterated that the convention
would be as peaceful as midsummers
day dream. Then The Journal printed
the details OF the secret caucus, which
was held last Thursday afternoon IN
room ia Piedmont hotel. 1t told how
those in the caucus had prepared TO
make ready a steam-roller for Watson
and were casting about for some one
to lead the fight on the Thomsonite.
WATSON DRAWS BLOOD.
Although they could no longer deny
that the secret caucus was held the
leaders continued to insist that the
convention would be a tame affair and
that there would be no Watson fight
Not until Monday morning when Wat
son wired half column criticism or
the caucus held in Atlanta Saturday
by the Fifth district delegates did
these Underwood leaders admit the
possibility of a convention row.
Watsons criticism drew the blood
Immediately after reading it Mr.. Fielder
announced that he accepted the chal-
lenge thrown down by Watson and would
fight him to the finish on the floor of the
convention.
In his criticism of Saturdays caucus
Watson questions the legality of the
meeting and calls upon his friends IN
the Fifth district TO meet him at his
rally Tuesday evening. He declares:
No Knight of Columbus will be admit
ted: no railroad lobbyist need apply.
and no one connected with the scandal
Gus Morse case should present himself.
II am not member Of the Knights
Of Columbus" said Mr.. Fielder. and 4
have never represented any railroads
Ny. firm, however, did represent Charles
w. Morse and we are proud of the sue
cess which crowned our work. Watson
is evidently issuing challenge to ms
which I most heartily accept.
WILL ASK no QUARTER.
The fight will take place on the floor
of the convention and the delegates will
be the arbiters- I will ask no quarter
and viii give none. If you want to see
an, eel skinned, and skinned properly.
Just come to the convention. When We
get through with Watson there won't be
anything worth while of him left. do
not propose to mince words in showing
up this man for what he really is. I
shall call him by his real name.
Il have done everything that rea-
sonable man could ask 20 avoid a fight
with Watson. I realize what he did
for Underwood neitherS belittle it,
nor exaggerate it. was willing to have
hum come along with the rest Of US
to Baltimore. am going there to help
nominate Oscar Underwood for presi-
dent 1 was willing to have his help,
would have ben glad to get it, indeed.
IN favorable circumstances.
But. how after all that has ben
done to placate him and to satisfy
whatever measure of his overwhelming
vanity we might, he still will not be
happy, we shall have a highland I
rare, old fight it will be, promise you.
you.
How, in self respect can do 9th,
erwise than accept his challeng?
am, in effect. the nomine of the Fifth
district for delegate at large, shall
stand stoutly to the standard placed
in my hands. I Will not disappoint my
friends by falling down before this I'M
possible Watson-I shall not bend the
knee 10 him. aW not obliged to go
to Baltimore, but I am obliged to main
tain my self-respct.-
TO A FRAGILE
I'VE shall beat him, beat him, BEAT
him to an everlasting, eternal, non-re-
vokable, complete and ultimate fraz-
zle."
He has, by his arrogance and con-
ceit written his own 4inish-the obi
UNI of the fight he will lose is all upon
him He brought it on; he must face
the consequences.
Mr. Felder's open declarations OF war;
fare on Watson is taken to mean that
he has been selected by the Underwood
leaders to SHOW Tom Watson his place
It is believed that he will have the.
hearty. if not the active support of
Clark Howell. ]. Randolph Anderson,
Charles r. Pendleton, Thomas W. 10y
less H H. Dean, G. r. Hutchens and
others, despite the fact that several of
these nave recently llelu-
selves to Watson for place on the dele.
CATION to Baltimore
Either Fielder of Watson will be left OF
this delegation. The outcome OF the fight
in tn. convention will determine which.
There will be two factions fighting for
control of the convention. One of these
win be led by Watson and the other BY
Fielder.
Fred J. Paxon, of Atlanta, who called
the Fifth district caucus for last Sat
urday and who was chosen chairman,
made the following comment upon Mr.
Watson's statement:
Mr.. PAxON'S STATEMENT.
Every delegate in the Fifth congress
sionaI district received notice Through his
respective chairman, at least, three days
in advances Of the state convention. was
delegates in the Fifth district would be.
held on Saturday at noon. and the rea-
son it was held at that time. three days
In advance of the state convention was
solely because the majority of the dele
gates were farmers, business men, or
others who were so situated that II was
more convenient for them to meet on a s
Saturday than a regular week day.
LAS to the statement that the major
ity OF the delegates We're chosen from
the cities, have simply to state that
as chairman of the convention called
the roll of counties alphabetically.
Voting They