Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-07-15
WATSON IS
METzGER'S
TIP
Returns from Washington Con-
vinced Governorship Is PraC-
ticalIy Settled Now
EXPECTS FEW CHANGES
IN FEDERAL OFFICES HERE
Says Democratic Party Is Pro-
ceedipg ConservativeIy in
Handling of Patronage

Senator Delbert r. Metzger of Hilo,
dark horse" possibility for the gov.
ernorsIlip and announced supporter
of Attorney e. NJ. Watson for that
Office, returned from Washington to-
day with the firm conviction that
Watson win be named by President
Wilson.
Senator Metzger alsosbrings the be-
lief that the tariff bill, carrying the
free sugar provision, will pass at this
session of congress. And what is of
almost as much interest, particularly
to local Democrats, Is his conviction
that federal patronage here win not
be settled at all until after Wilson is
assured that the tariff legislation is
settled
Moreover. Metzger thinks that pres
ent Republican federal ofiieeholders
here will be allowed to serve out their
terms. Watson returned with the ex-
pressed belief that the federal offices
would be given 70 good Democrats at
an early date. Metzger doesn't think
so. He inclines to the belief that the
present collector OF customs, collector
of internal revenue, postmasters and
other federal officials here, will not be
disturbed because they are Republi-
cans. When terms expire, they win
be filled by Democrats, but he says
the Democratic party is going to pro-
ceed conservatiyely in regard to dis
tribution of patronage.
Senator Metzger arrived on the
Honolulaf. the same steamer that
brought Professor W. A. Bryan, but
Metzger remarked this morning that
he didn't believe Mr.. Bryan men,
toned anything about his own gov
ernorship aspirations to anyone. ut
was surprise to me-" said Metzger.
mo one on the boat knew we had
Professor Bryan as gubernatorial
dark horse
Watson's appointment now depends
upon his nealth, in Metzger's opinion.
From my talks with the president
and Secretary Lane. both of whom
are. taking a deep and active interest
in the matter, feel that Watson will
be named provided his health con-
tinues as good as IL now L." said the
senator today to the star Bulletin.
"ais improved health was noticeable.
in Washington and the president, |
can say! would be well assured that
Watson could give the physical
strength TO the Office before he would
appoint him. While / am naturally
not at liberty to talk of what was said
.during the conferences in Washing
ton, it is violating no confidence to
express my opinion that Ed Watson
viii be named governor.
~The appointment, however, will,
think, be delayed until this tariff leg
islation is out Of the way. President
Wilson has almost complete control
of the situation Hardly any appoint
ments are being made. While the
Hawaiian appointments do not direct
ly affect the tarin legislation much,
still they would furnish lever which
might be used in an effort to block
the passage of the bill Mr.. Wilson
holds the reins and / do not believe
we can expect any appointments over
here until the tariff is passed.
"Ag | said before / left Hawaii,
would have been a candidate for gov
ernor only in the vent that Mr.. Wat
son was definitely out of il. j tried
to make this clear in Washington.
81 heard comparatively little of Mr.
Pinkham as candidate. Representa-
tive Kent of California is his strong
supporter and il is an open secret that
he is working hard for Pinkham, not
on the grounds that he is Democrat,
because he is a Republican, but be-
cause he believes Pinkham is the man
for the job"
The Democratic party is not going
to put out Republican office-holders
simply because they are Republicans,
thinks Senator Metzger
'The party and the party leaders re-
(Continued on page fourl