The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1912-1984, 1912-05-03

III tue |ucfeSS Oh Tue purity uuu lht
triumph of its principles, yet | have
not even asked a friend of mine in
the state to support me for any
honor in the state convention, such
as being a delegate to the national
convention, for | have no persona.
ambition above party success, and
would cheerfully step aside for any
arrangement that would further its
success.
IL heartily approve the action of
our State Executive Committee at
its record meeting in the call it made
for the State convention, and yet,
neither directly nor indirectly, did |
communicate with a single member
of that committee, to advise him
what | thought the committee should
do. In fact, | did not know what
it would do until | read of its action
in the papers the next day."
In regard to his presidential
choice, Gov. Beckham saws:
"ln my Judgment. the strongest
and most available candidate for us
to nominate j. Woodrow Wilson. I
have thought so for long time. and
even favored him when Watterson
was for him. And when il became
known that he refused to allow him
self to be bound by Wilson of
Wall street. nv admiration for him
became greater than ever. Then
when Watterson denounced him.
was convinced that he was a clean
and incorruptible man. II it should
appear by the time the convention
meets in Baltimore. that a stronger
candidate than Gov. Wilson could
be nominated. then I would prefer
that candidate. | do not now con-
slider Mr.. Clark the strongest candi-
date.
"Mr. Bryan, in an interview not
long ago. in speaking of Wilson and
Clark, said: Il have avoided ex-
pressing any preference as between
these two gentlemen for several rea-
sons. The first is that | am not
clear in nv own mind as to which of
them would be able to poll the larger
vote. and a good deal many depend
upon the action of the Republican
convention. that is. the course of the
convention may affect the relative
iavsiiabiiiiy of these two candidates
and ! would like to have all the
light | can get before expressing anv
opinion regard either Gov. Wilson or
Speaker Clark
"ln other words. Mr.. Bryan be-
lieves that where the delegates are
chosen in State Convention like
ours. progressive and faithful Dem
o"rat> should be elected and they
should be uninStructed. That | be-
lieve, l. the correct position for
kentucky Democrats to take in their
convention on Nav %. Let them
seek ont reliable Democrats as dele
gates and send them to the National
Convention without instructions"
Again he says: "The attempt is
now made to raise false issue
among the Democrats Of the State.
Watterson charges that | and Others
Lave formed deep conspiracy to
wreck the Democratic party. He
made identicallv the same charge
last year. and our answer was a
Democratic majority of $1,000. won
not only without his aid. but with
his secret opposition t. the ticket.
"What confidence can now be
placed in this same false prophet
and slanderer! As matter of fact.
if the gentlemen whom he attacks
were engaged in any such nefarious
scheme a. he describes. and possess
ed all the wealth he figures they
would have had him as member of
the gang long ago, writing double
headed editorials, praising them a.
patriots instead of calling them pir-
ateS; for political history in Ken
lucky for the last twenty years re-
cords that wherever the money is
there l. ALWAYS Watterson. greedy
for his part of the loot. and venom
Gus towards all of those who would
deprive him of any of IT. There i
never II political bargain counter up
on which the editorial policy of the
sale.
II do not know whether hi> weak
ness is congenital, or whether at
some time of trial. he fell before
some strong temptation; but We all
know that. since 1896. he has. in NJ
litical parlance. been classed as n
thrifty floater, veering from one side
to the other, according to the ext
eencies of his selfi>hneSs or malig-
nancy. denouncing everyone vino
differed with him. and viciously IL
beline all If those whom he suspect
ed of standing in the way of his
ridiculous ambitions.
"lle now says he il for Mr.. Clark.
and | have no doubt that if he and
Col, George Harvey should be unable
10 connect Mr.. Clark with their
friend, Mr.. Thos. +. Ryan. the De-
mocratic money man of big bust
ness in New York. he would Just as
promptly withdraw his support from
him. and denounce him in language
equally as abusive as he used about