The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-01-18
COL WATTERSON
TELLS STORY
OF BREAK
Probably Puts Woodrow Wilson
Out of the Race.
TREATED HARVEY SHABBlLY
Veteran Editor Was Himself a Sup
porter Of Wilson Until He Found
Himself Mistaken In Estimate.

porter OF Wilson Until He Found
Himself Mistaken In Estimate.
That he had hoped to find in Wood
row Wilson another Tilden, but found
rather schoolmaster than
statesman was the declaration by
Henry Watterson, the veteran Ken
lucky editor and democrat, in a state
ment made at Louisville, KY, last
night relative to the break between
Gov Wilson and Col. George Harvey
"Regretting that | must appear either
as a witness or party to the misun-
derstanding which has arisen be
tween Col George Harvey and Gov.
Woodrow Wilson" reads the state
ment, 81 shall have TO speak with
some particularly in order to be Just
alike to the public and the principals.
The conference between us in my
apartment at the Manhattan club was
held to consider certain practical
measures relating to Gov. Wilson's
candidacy. Col. Harvey stood toward
Gov. Wilson much as | had stood FIVE
and thirty years ago toward Mr. Til
den This appealed to me. Col. Har-
yey had brought the governor and
myself together in his New Jersey
home Is months ago and as time
passed, had interested me in his am
billions. was hoping | might find in
Gov. Wilson another Tilden. In
point of intellect and availability l
yet think Col. Harvey made no mis-
take in his choice of candidate, but
the circumstance leading to the I'M
fortunate parting OF the ways be-
tween them leads me to doubt whet-
her in character and temperament
II may be merely in the habits Of a
llfetime-Gov. Wilson is not rather a
schoolmaster than statesman.
II have found Col Harvey and Gov.
Wilson statements, according to the
memory OF each, touching what did
actually happen and was spoken on
the occasion named. These do not
materially differ. They coincide with
my own recollection. Nothing OF a
discourteous kind-even of an I'M
friendly kind passed during an inter
view of more than an hour. From
the first, however, there was GER
tain constraint in Gov. Wilson's man
ner, the absence OF the cordially and
candor which should mark hearty,
confidential intercourse, intimating
the existence OF some adverse in.
fiuence. His manner was autocratic
II not tyrannous did not take this
to myself, but thought it related to
Col Harvey, and when Col. Harvey,
apparently overcome by Gov. Will
sons austerity, put the direct ques-
ton to Gov. Wilson whether the sup
port OF Harper's Weekly was doing
him an injury, and received from Gov
Wilson the cold rejolnder that IL was
was both surprised and shocked.
IL had myself as far back as last
October, suggested to Gov Wilson
that in view of his supposed enviro
ment, II might be well for Col Harvey
to moderate somewhat OF the rather
aggressive character of Harpers
Weekly in the Wilson leadership.
am not sure that ! had not said
as much to Col Harvey himself, but
that Gov Wilson, without the least
show of conjunction, should express
or yield to such an opinion, and per
nit Col Harvey TO consider himself
discharged from the position Of trust
ed intimacy he had up to this mo
ment held, left me little room tC
doubt that Gov Wilson is not mar
who makes common cause with his
political associates, or is deeply sen
sible OF his political obligations; be
cause II is but true and fair to say
that, except for Col. Harvey, he
would not be in the running at all.
"Col. Harvey was grievously wound
ed. He has been fighting Gov. VIII
sons battle for many years and haC
idealized his chief. Although / was
given no reason to suppose myself
included in the disfavor which hat
fallen upon Co. Harvey, experienced
sense OF something very much like
indignation, but on reflection ] coulC
not rid myself OF the impression tina
Gov Wilson had been receiving let
tiers from Kentucky written by enem
les of mine who seek to use his name
and fame to gain some ends of theil
own, warning him against me ant
that to all intents. | sat In the sam,
boat with Col Harvey.
Il am In receipt OF Gov. Wilson's
averment to the contrary. wisl
this had reached me earlier have
during three weeks OF newspape
Importantly refused 10 print wore
on the subject in the hope that NJ
publicity might be required and tina
some understanding could be reache,
have reason to believe that Col
Harvey withheld his statement TO
the same cause and with the SAM
hope. II being no longer possible 4
suppress the matters at issue, thi
full statement which | make mos
reluctantly seems needful to ful
and impartial knowledge by the ger
eral public, but more especially b
the mass and body OF democrats VIII
are so earnestly seeking leader !
the coming contest"