Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-06
WILSON IS WELL FITTED
FOR GOVERNMENT DUTY
DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE pEvoTEs
YEARS TO STUDY OF POLITICAL REFORMS BE-
FORE ENTERING UPON PUBLIC CAREER

effect that our support was affecting
his candidacy injuriously.
The only course left for US. in sim
pie fairness to Mr. Wilson no less than
in consideration of our own self-re-
spect, was TO cease TO advocate his
nomination.
I'VE make this explanation with
great reluctance and the deepest re-
greet But we cannot escape the con-
clusion that the very considerable
number OF our readers who have CO
operated earnestly and Loyalty in ad-
vancing a movement which was in
augurated solely in the hope Of rem
dering a high public service are clearly
entitled TO this information"
BRYAN EXPLAINS TROUBLE
This was followed by a bitter con-
troversy in the newspapers between
Henry Watterson, the veteran editor of
the Louisville Courier-Journal, and
friends Of Mr.. Wilson.
AS only a week or two earlier there
had become public severe attack by
Mr.. Wilson on W. J. Bryan it was
widely believed that Mr. Bryan would
join in the effort TO make Mr.. Wilson's
life miserable. Instead, Mr. Bryan
made public the following letter, that
throws sidelights on the subject:
The recent break between Governor
Wilson and Colonel Harvey illustrates
the impossibility of cooperation be
tween men who look al public ques-
lions from different points of view.
Colonel Harvey became a supporter of
Mr. Wilson when he was selected as
the democratic candidate for governor
OF New Jersey, and he continued his
support when Governor Wilson began
TO be discussed as a candidate for the
presidency.
1T is absurd for Colonel Harvey's
friends to talk about bringing Gov
ernor Wilson out No man or paper
could have made Governor Wilson
available as a candidate if he himself
had not attracted attention: It would
have been impossible for Colonel Har.
vey 70 prevent a discussion OF Cover.
nor Wilson's availability.
SEES PRINCIPLES At ISSUE.
But let us assume that Colonel Har
/ yey was doing all that he could for
his choice. What was the situation
1 His conspicuous support was not only
Of no advantage. but IL became actu
ally disadvantage; IL did not bring
to Governor Wilson, the class fol
which Colonel Harvey speaks. but II
alienated men just as honest as Colo
mel Harvey's friends, who could not
understand why Colonel Harvey prais
ed Governor Wilson personally with
ont endorsing the things for which
Governor Wilson stands.
1T naturally aroused suspicion as e
the sincerity of one or the other, anC
When Governor Wilson was asked the
question he admitted that he regarded
the support of Colonel Harvey as a liza
biltty rather than an asset Should b,
have pretended that he thought Colo
mel Harvey was helping him when h,
was not? And why should Colone
Harvey complain? If he really favor
Governor Wilson he must desire to ali
him. Why should he be offended. then
at Governor Wilson's frankness?
he more interested in being known a
the man who made Governor Wilson
famous than in advancing Governo
Wilson's cause?
Harvey has shown no signs Of cor
E version. II he communes with Ana
niases II is not with any consCiousne s
= of blindness. He has seen no ney
light, and when he does he will fee
so ashamed Of his lifelong figh
against progressive democracy tina
p his first desire will be 10 bring fort
fruits meet for repentance-not to al
; sumo leadership"
The Wilson attack on Bryan was /
p the form Of a letter to Adrian II. J,
line. president of the Missouri Kansa
, & Texas railroad at the time it va
, written. and read:
Princeton, y. J.. April 20, 1907
} My Dear Mr. JOline: Thank you yer
= much for sending me your address {
Parsons. Kan, before the board of d
S rectors of the Missouri, Kansas
d Texas railway. | have read II wit
s relish and entire agreement. WouI
D that We could do something at one
e dignifed and effective 70 knock NJ