Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-02-13
WATSON FOR GOVERNOR

lfy and one that looks new as very strong prob
ability He has cIem hts CT strength that both
i. L. Me('andlcss and q. J. Waller lack, and
with anything like aggressive backing from the
rank and file Of Hawaiian B0urboniSm he should
loom up Immediately as a very important factor
in the situation that will confront the new prcSi-
dent when he accedes to office
As the Star-BuIetin said some months ago,
when Mr. Watsons name was first brought for
ward by his friends, it was largely a question Ct
whether he felt himself physically able to under
take the duties of the position. Should he de-
clare himself willing torntf several years of Cx-
acting toll for that is whatthp gOyernorship
of Hawaii demands, -there@WOud be no doubt
of the stanch support he would be given
This statement, made not as any prOphtc y but
as comment on perfectly plain situation, has
been entirely borne cut. Mr.. Watson, an active
candidate for the past few weeks only, has al
ready received flattering assurances of support
from many Democrats and many Republicans.
He has not, and cann0t expect to have, the in
dorsement of the Democratic organization such
as the territorial central committee or the cOun-
ty committee, both Of which are controlled by
McCandless supporters. If the appointment Of
governor for Hawaii is to he determined by
Recommendations of the titular bodies, in real
ity. the wheels of the McCandless campaign or
ganization, McCandless for governor would be
a'foregcne conclusion. What the friends of Wat
son say, and there seems abundant evidence that
they are justified in sayingSit,is that Mr. Wilson
is of progressive turn of mind which looks fur
ther than Endorsements by party machinery.
Should Mr. Wilson lock into the regard of a
community for one Of its men, he would find no
man more highly praised than Mr.. Watson and
no man who has received such personal indorse-
meTts unless the two other candidates have con-
cealed the most important part of their backing.
The Star Bulletin is not at liberty to make pub
lie now the list of local men who have given writ
ten or verbal evidence of their support, but the
people of Hawaii would be very generally sur
prised to find how widely that support has beea
put forward for Watson. Some of the men in
the very first rank of territorial officialdom have
sent letters to Mr.. Wilson approving the appoint
ment of the Democratic attorney, and among
these men are several who are active and stall
wart Republicans. Furthermore, Watson is cas-
ily the hest known of the three candidates in the
Influential circles of Washington. 1t is mat
ter of common knowledge here, for instance that
he can count upon the personal work of dozen
or more leading Democratic senators and con-
gressmen. Some of these have already begun to
bring before Mr. Wilson the candidacy Of Wat
son.
In due time the details ofsWatsOn's backing
will probably he made public and will prove
1t is largely of a nonpartisOn character. His
friends seem satisfied that he is nearl rpcOv-
cred from his recent severe illness that he can
legitimately assure the people of Hawaii of abil-
ity to carry On the tremendous work of the gov
errors office OF his general qualifications there
never has been any question, so far as we are
aware. He is popular in his profession, life
long Democrat, has been a consistent and prOmi-
nent party-worker here, has the confidence of
leading businessmen, is regarded as independent
in thought and energetic in action and is of high
personal character.
Internationally he will draw support from
the party elements relied upon by both McCand-
less and Waller. McCandless has an advantage
in the party organization backing that may be
more apparent than real Only Wilson himself
can settle that question: for it will depend on t"
what extent Wilson is going to be guided by the
Endorsements of party bodies. Watson's active
entrance into the race at this time will be the sig
nal for the redoublng Of efforts by all factions.
Republicans, meanwhile, have a good deal of
s hope that Governor Frear will not be so sum
mariy dumped out of office as Democracy seems