The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-21
S NTH EXPLAINS
WILSON EPISODE
Doesn't Believe Harvey-Watter-
son Incident Will Hur, Gov
ernor's Chances.
OTHER LETTERS YET TO COME
President Of Woodrow Wilson
Club Hits at Attacks
From Enemy,
OTHER LETTERS YET TO COME

somethlng startling to say, In the
event that he touches on political
foremost topic. reporter for The
Times Dispatch yesterday called on
II. II. Smith, Jr, president of the
Woodrow Wilson Club, OF Richmond.
and asked him II he could tell what
II all meant,
Mr.. Smith called attention to the
fact that everybody is evidently hght-
ihs Governor Wilson. this fight be-
Ing made by friends of Republican,
and Democratic candidates alike. And
II Internationally means" he added,
That Governor Wilson is looked upon
by the masses as the leader In the
Democratic party. They made much
OF the Jolinc letter. This was deter
mined effort 10 cause Il rupture be-
tween Governor Wilson aud William
Jennings Bryan, but il failed abso-
lutely, and now his enemies have pueh-
ed out the Harvey incident to iujure
him. There la nothing In that incident
except that the average man might
think that Governor Wilson Is guilty
of insratitude, and In politics that
is put down as the rankest OF all sins.
Gratitude Elected Lorimer.
The New York World, which 10 an
out and out supporter of the New
Jersey Governor, correctly says that
inEratilude is one OF the rarest
virtues in public life. The World we'll
says that upon gratitude is built every
bils were passed for gratitude aud
ina the Hartman campaign funds were
raised for gratitude
But Governor Wilson's gratitude or
ingratitude to Colonel Harvey will not
be paramount issue l.. the Baltimore
conventions"
Mr.. Smith said that the account
Which Henry Watterson gavo In his
interview. If carefully read. will not
hurt Governor Wilson in the eyes Of
any fair-minded man. You will re-
call said Mr.. Smith. that Mr.. Wat
ter&on stated that 1 had myself. as
Tar back as October, suggested to
Governor Wilson that in view of his
supposed environment 1t might be we'll
tor Colonel Harvey TO moderate some
what OF the aggressive In the VIII
son leadership"
Wall Street Influence.
This" continued Mr.. Smith, will
DC recognized by we'll informed men
as distinct reference to the fact that
liarpcrs Weekly Is either owned. con-
troiied or Influenced By j. Picrpont
Morgan and Thomas +. Ryan. 1 am
reliably Informed that Mr.. Morgan
holds bonds on the Harper plant.
Natterson also says 1t is but true and
| fair 10 say that except for Colonel
Harvey. Governor Wilson would not
be In the running { all. So the
Watterson charge of ingratitudc seems
to depend on the assumption that 1t
was Harvey who blew greatness into
Wilson II Governor Wilson discover
cd that Colonel Harvey was father OF
; and chief proprietor OF tho Wilson
candidacy, the Governor may be ex-
cusei for deeming the friendship irri-
tating and irksome.''
Taking up the question OF help or
harm, MIR. Smith said that he had 1t
from the best authority In New York
/! that Harvcy's .ipport has hurt Will
/, son for two reasons-bccause of Har-
vey's supposed intimacy with Wall
Street anu because of his overzeal in
advocating Governor Wilson for Presi-
dent,
My informant tells me-" said MIR.
Smith. that Governor Wilson was in
vited 20 diner at the Manhattan
Club where he met Watterson and Har-
rey The dinner passed OFF very pleas
snty. and al the close. as Governor
Wilson arose TO leave. Colonel Harvey
propounded this question: Governor.
] want you 10 tell me Candidly III you
think Harper's support is doing you
more harm than good?' Governor VIII
Harvey interrupted to say that he
wanted Il candid answer. Thercupon,
Governor Wilson said, I think you are
doing mo as much harm az good
No Lnfr,cndIS Interview.
Colonel Watterson makes much OF
| Governor Wilson'S autocrauc and
| austcro manner. but il must be re-
!nembercd that Whttcrson said that
nothing of Il discourteous-cven of an
unfric d!y kind-passed during the
interview of nearly an hour Wat
terson also says that what Governor
Wilson said on the subject Of the sup
port OF llarper's Weekly was said in
reply TO the direct question from COL
oncl Harvey.
Il am told that Governor Wilson
felt SO deeply and kccnly on the sub
iect the next day that no wrote Col
oncl Harvey n letter, and received Il
reply. This correspondence has not
yet been made public. Doubtless II
Will and until it is, the friends OF
Governor Wilson can breathe easy.
1T must be remembered. too. that
| Watterson says. ! have from Colonel
Harvey and Governor Wilson state
ments according to tho memory OF
each touching what did actually hap
pen and was spoken on tho occasion
| named. These do not materially diff
fer. They coincide with my own recol-
| lcct ion.'"
Mr.. Smith thought that the New
York Evening Post had presented the
case most eNcellentiy when il said {:
Let us have these statements. and
lot The public judge whether what
Wilson said was simply the frank ut
tcrance OF truth in reply to friends
candid request for information, or as
| so many eagerly hasten TO assert, a
deliberate act of selhshness or ingratt-
| tudc. And In the meantime let 1t be
remembered that this affair is but the
| latest of Il series OF bombs exploded
| at the feet Of Governor Wilson. which,
whatever elao they may be, are an in
| disputable evidence OF the formidable
| character which his prospects for
! President have assumed In the Dyes
| OF his enemies"
That" Mr.. Smith added. about ex-
| presses It in nutshell. think those
letters which passed between Colonel