New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-01-20
|CH|P FOR WILSON ON
WAHERSON'S SHOULDER
Colonel Says He Will Reply II
"Some Responsible Person
Challenges His Statement.
HAS RESERVE AMMUNITION
Wilson's Campaign Manager
Says Governors Opponents Are
Shedding Crocodile Tears
Over Harvey Incident.
TF'rom The Tribune Bureau

Washington, Jan. 19.-Colonel Henry
Watterson came to Washington to-day
and while he declined to be interviewed
or to discuss the Wilson, Harvey a1air
he did issue a challenge or warning
which is regarded as highly Significant
by the Democrats here.
"As 10 the Wilson matter" said "Marse
Henry" Il have nothing to add to what
has already been said, unless 1t be serl-
ously challenged by some responsible
person. Then l may have a good deal
to say"
Taken in connection with Governor
Wilson's on-committal remark, that
Colonel Watterson is "a fine old gentle
man." and the Governors reluctance 10
say anything further, Mr.. Wattersons
remark seems to suggest that there Is
good deal more which might be said, ana
which would undoubtedly prove mighty
Interesting reading. 1t is remarked by
those who know the veteran Kentucky
editor that he is far too experienced In
the game Of politics to use all his ammu-
milton in his first volley, or to convey
even the suggestion OF a challenge which
he WAS not prepared to back up.
1t Is assumed, OF course, that by some
responsible person" Colonel Watterson
means none other than the Governor OF
New Jersey, but il is also remarked that
Mr. Watterson rather prides himself on
his good breeding, and that he is not
likely TO accept with equanimity the
charge of Governor Wilson's lieutenants
that he has been guilty Of conduct I'M
becoming a gentleman in making public
his recent statement.
Wilson Manager Talks.
The Wilson Harvey episode also
brought forth, simultaneously with the
arrival OF Colonel Watterson, state
mont by William +. McCombs, campaign
manager for Governor Wilson, saying
that the tears that are being shed over
the passing incident are wrung from
those who have hitherto been the most
conspicuous opponents OF Governor Will
SON" The statement follows:
with reference to the alleged wilson
Harvey incident, IL seems to- me that
Colonel Watterson has said In a statement
all that needs 10 be said. IL appears there
from that as far back as last october he
himself suggested to Governor Wilson that
Colonel HaTvey's support through Har-
per's Weekly" might be injurious, and that
he probably told Colonel Harvey himseli
the same thing. 1t would seem that Colo
mel WatteTsOn had convinced the Governor
OF the truth OF his opinion and had at least
impressed Colonel Harvey with the proba-
mol
would not have propounded the question.
II Is passing strange that Colonel Waiter
son should feel concerned that the Cover
nor. IN private conversation with himself
and Colonel Harvey, should. In answer TO
a pointed question, give frank expression
TO the very view which Mr., Watterson
himself entertained and which he had COM
municated TO the Governor and probably 10
Colonel Harvey.
In October last, also the very month in
which he made these suggestions to GOV
ernor Wilson, Colonel Natterson sald IN
The Louisville Courier-JournaP' editori-
ally:
'iTwo things seem toleraby sure to the
surmise OF The CONFECTIONERY: IL Wood
row Wilson is nominated for President IL
will be through the force or an irresisu-
BILE pressure OF pubic opinion; and N he
is defeated for the nomination, II VIII De
by some organized agency well backed
with money. No Democrat OF modern
times has come into the running. Samuel
j. Tilden alone excepted, with half at once
OF the equipment and the claim OF the New
Jersey Governor
The tears that are being shed over the
passing incident are wrung from those who
have hitherto been the most conspicuous
opponents OF Governor Wilson; witness the
frequently quoted statement OF Mayor
Dahlman, OF Omaha. Neb. who has for
months not only been openly opposed 10
Governor Wilson. but who has been the
aggressive champion OF another candidate.
The same applies 10 others who have In
dulged I'm lachrymose expressions. This. OF
course, IL 10 be expected whenever any
man develops a decided lead for the nomi-
nation. .
The gist OF the issue, as | see II. is
whether one friend in private conversation
with another should. In answer 10 plain
question resort 10 hattery or dissimula-
ton. or whether he should state the truth
as he sees It,
Colonel Watterson, who will be here
several days in connection with the work
OF the Perry Memorial Commission, read
the McCombs statement as we'll as the
one made at Nashville, Tenn, by Judge
Robert Ewing, but declined to comment
on either.