Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-08-10
WATSON SCORED,
With HARDWICK,
BY LEGION HERE
John D. Mathis Post
CondSnns Candidacy
of Both Men

Though formal resolutions adopted
declare that the American Legion il
not a political organization, member
of John D. Mathis Post, No. 2, las
night roundly roasted Thomas E
Watson and Thomas W. Hardwick
and the post as body passed reso
lutions condemning the candi.
dacy of both men. The actor
was taken by the post after an en-
thusiastic discussion of the two can
didates and their alleged attack or
the Legion and its purposes.
After Commander Dan Chappel
had called the meeting TO order, Ad'
jutant Ben C. Hogue read number
of communications referring to "cer
tain political aspirants," and thel1
attacks upon the Legion. The first
of these were two kilograms from At
lanta Post No. 1, and letter from
the executive committee of the same
post was then read, all these COM
rnunications calling upon Georgia Le-
gion posts to back up the Atlanta ex-
service men in their fight on Watson
and Hardwick.
At this point, when it became evil
dent that neither Watson or Hard
wick had many friends in the assem-
blage. Commander Chappell asked
that the Legion members present
weigh carefully their action, and that
whatever action was taken De
made unanimous. Immediately 1T was
resolved that the minority yleld TO
the majority in whatevr final action
was taken, and this was adopted
without a dissenting voice.
Gordon Howell then read the fol-
lowing resolutions, which were later
adopted by the post, a copy belng
given to Times-Recorder for puoiica-
ton:
The Resolutions
"Whereas, two of the fundamen-
tai principles of the American Le-
gion are:
"1. To produce 100 per cent Am
ericanism and to preserve the mem
ories and incidents of. association IN
the Great War with Germany:
"2. To forever keep inylolate the
noble traditions of those comrades
who so gallantly fought and died TO
save their country; and r.
"Whereas. a certain candidate for
nublic Office of the State of Geor..
gia, to-wit: Thomas E. Watson, OF
McDufie county, has grossly Vlola!eu
both of these principles IN MAKING
unwarranted and uncalled for ATTACKS
upon the Democratic administrator
and it's methods of conducting Che
recent war, inasmuch as the war was
prosecuted to a successful culmina-
tion without his support and against
his direct opposition; and
"Whereas, the said Thomas, H.
Watson has seen fit to unscrupulous-
1v falsely and maliciously make GER
tain charges against the American
Tnoion and its members by attempt
ing To exploit the vote of the enlist
ad men bv creating strife and dis
sansion between ex-officers and eX-
anIisted men of the recent army and
navy; and
uWbareas another candidate TOR
rrhlic Office in the State of Georgia,
fo-wit. Thomas W. Hardwick, has
also seen fit to oppose, obstruct and
hinder the Democratic ADMINISTRATOR.
in its prosecution OF the recent ~dL ~ ,
s'Now, therefore be it resolved, py
the John D. Mathis Post, NUMBER y
Georgia Division, American Legion
without endorsing or opposing any
candidate for public office IN Jne
State of Geirgia, that we, hereoy
denounce and condemn these :. TWO
candidates and any other candidate
for nublic office who has so plainly
demonstrated his lack of American
isno and his disregard for the prln-
c;rles of Democracy and his dlsrecc
snect and lack of appreciation OF
fPose men. living and dead, who
fnU@b+ ] to preserve the liberty and
froedom of the country and people
froro whom they now seek public Of
60 So That we deplore and depre-
nioto the necessity forced upon us
of denouncing these two othce seek
ers. - 4Lo+. b,,
+bis oct;on the John D. Mathis Post
Joes S not attempt to obstruct or hind
er any member voting TOT any e"iiui
I date for public office .o
j ~. G. Hoist, Chairman
"John Westbrook,
"R. l.. Crawford,
81 z. Gartner,
"Evan t. Mathis,
"H. B. Williams,
'H. A. Smith" ,,
After the reading of the TesoIu'
+ions Howell drew attention to tne tne
fact that they bind no member G1 Ine
Legion to vote for any candldate
though thew are direct and frank II
fbeir denunciation of Watson anc
Hardwick and their campaign I,etn,
DDS. which recently eliminating IL
an attack upon the Legion.
Amos johnson, who said the reso
lutions "might be good enough 70 o.
signed as citizens" opposed tneI
adoption by the post, saying tne Le
gion should not become invoiVeo II
politics.
Hilliard Williams was the mex