Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-01
CORRESPONDENCE Between
WILSON AND HARVEY MADE
PUBLIC BY NEW YORK PAPER
WATTERSON HAS
THE LAST WORD

| Washington, d. c., Jan. 30.-Declar
ing that he wished to bring dis
tasteful episode" to an end, Colonel
Henry Watterson last night issued a
statement saying that the issue be
tween him and Governor Woodrow
Wilson was solely as to which one had
lied"
Colonel Watterson said he had en-
gagged conclusively to show that Gov
Wilson had lied.
He denied that Thomas F. Ryan had
ever been approached for campaign
contributions for Governor Wilson, but
stated that the matter had been talked
over with Governor Wilson and the
latter had expressed the fear" that ii
the knowledge of contribution from
Mr. Ryan got abroad it might do more
harm than good.
Colonel Watterson's statement adj
dressed to the democrats of the
United States. follows in part:
1.-THE time limit set upon my stay in
the national capital being about to ex-
pire, and Governor Wilson having re.
fused my offer as to the issue of YER
acity he has raised between us to sub
NIT proof Of the truth of my averment
to party associates competent to Judge
both Of its character and the eXpedi-
ency of it's publication, shall bring
| this most distasteful episode to q
close, as far as l am concerned. -
'"The claim that I must rush into
print with this proof emanates either
from the preverse or the malignant.
I have it, am ready under proper su.
perviSiOn. to produce it,"
Colonel Watterson then goes on to
tell how he first met Wilson and how
he became impressed with his ability
as democratic presidential POSSIBLE.
ity, going into minute details. He
says that he was finally ''dragooned'
into the service of the New Jersey
governor. ~ ,e
"Dragooned" by Wilson.
Colonel Watterson then tells Of how
his influence was courted and of many
letters that passed between them
while he was in Europe and how Viii.
son met him on his return and was
photographed with him at the dock.
He continues: aa, d.
81 make this detailed statement he.
cause the public might we'll fancy from
the governors present attitude and
tone that had in some. way thrust
myself upon him, and that my friend
ship and support had not been desired
b. him.
THE fortnight Immediately proceed
ing the interview ~ the Manhattan
club, Of which l have been at pains to
say as little as was needful to Justice
between man and man. and men and
men, had done what I could in the
interest Of his campaign.
Got Money for Wilson. =
81 was met on my arrival in New
York by most urgent appeal for
money from a gentleman of distinc.
ton. closely associated with, If not
actually directing, the Wilson organ
ization, and In answer to this l was
able at once to secure considerable
sum of money. The meeting at the
Manhattan club was designed still
further to push forward and perfect
the work Of organization.
"The Ryan story, which has made
such an impression upon the unknown
ing and unreflecting, was, as far as it
related to Colonel Harvey. lie out OF
whole cloth. Though Gov. Wilson
knows this. he has allowed it to cir
culate without word Of contradtc.
ton. ~ 80 4r
Feared Ryan Publicity.
1.-THE attempt, which followed its
exposure by me, to make 1t appear
that I have intimated that application
was made to Mr.. Ryan, is cut of the
same cloth, and is characteristic OF
the duplicity which attaches itself to
the entire proceeding Of the governor
and his publicity agents. -
1.-The suggestion Of Mr.. Ryan was
eagerly caught up by those agents.
Fancy q political promoter refusing
money from anywhere or anybody!
But when spoke to Governor Wilson
about it he said some uncivil things
of Mr.. Ryan, expressing fear that II
the knowledge Of such contribution
got abroad it might do more harm than
good-and the matter went no further
I might have asked Governor Wilson
how he could reconcile his objection
to Ryan money, which had not yet
been offered him, with his demand for
Carnegie pension money, which had
been denied him. But, although grow
Ing little impatient under his sudden
change Of demeanor, did not wish to
he lisagreeable. Certain it is that
Mr., Ryan never heard of the matter.
Neither I nor any one else spoke to
him on the subject .~s,
The colonel berates Governor Will.
son for disloyalty to Colonel Harvey:
SATURDAY. for Hedrick where Mr.. Nor