South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-12-26
JUST TOM WATSON,
''STORMY PETREL y
Fiery Georgian Is Anti-Every-
thing, and Has Five Years
More to Anti"

WASHINGTON. y. c., Dec. U.s.
II everybody else l. agreed on a
question, then Sen. Tom Watson will
oppose it. That is the consensus Of
opinion among national legislators
who have watched this fiery GeOr-
CLAN during nearly a year of tumul-
tuous conduct, with indications that
he will continue TO keep the upper
house i'm an UprOar throughout the
five years he still has to serve.
Sen. Watson was elected a mem
Der Of congress in 1890 on the wave
OF populist sentiment, serving one
term. In 1896 he was nominated
for the vice-presidency by the St
Louis populist convention. which in
dorsed Bryan for the presidential
nomination.
The Georgia legislator has aroused
various Catholic organizations to
protest against his senate member
ship and TO demand that he be I'M
seated. Watson invited Sen. Moses
and others 20 come outside the SEN
ate chamber TO settle differences.
He has FLASHED verbally with Sen
Penrose and then used many harsh
words against PenrOse in a long ha-
ranguc. Watson supported William
J. Simmons. head of the Ku KluX
Khan. I'm the imperial wizards tes-
tlmony before the house rules COM
mittee. His sensational charges Of
wholesale hanging in the American
EXpeditionary forces aroused the
country and led 10 an official inves-
tigation
Something Always Happens.
When ever Watson gets up to
speak on the floor Of the senate
something is sure TO happen. He
has found that these speeches get
his name I'm the newspapers. and he
dislikes this not at all.
In 1910 Watson published a book.
THE Roman Catholic Hierarchy"
and caused his indictment in 1914.
The indictment was quashed and an
other substituted on which he was
tried. The first jury disagreed and
the second acquitted him Watson
then renewed his anti-Catholic cam
paign. which has increased in bit
terness. Recently the National
Catholic War council protested
against his use of the senate office
building as headquarters for his
anu-Catholic campaign and sent a
letter TO senators demanding that
his seat be forfeited
Watson's great ambition seems TO
be that of an anti. He does not
cOnfne himself 10 personalities, and
woe betide the unfortunate man
crossing his path. He Will threaten
a fist fight a duel or else a speech.
His "Antr' Record.
His election % the senate follow
ed a three-cornered fight in his own
state for the democratic nomination
in which he stood as the anti-Wil-
son, anti-LeagUe of Nations and anti
war measures candidate. He freely
admits and Is proud of the fact that
his publications opposed the draft
law, the espionage act and other
war measures Throughout the
period of Americas participation in
the war these publications rallied at
the government. attacked the army
and the draft law and ever since
have attempted 20 make il appear
that this government did wrong in
entering the war
Met outside the senate chamber.
Sen. Watson is personally a charm
ing man. He has an engaging smile
and talks entertainingly in q mild
manner Even when he rises 10 his
feet TO begin a speech there is no
suggestion OF the uproar that he
probably VIII raise before he is
through. lie begins his speech In a
Well modulated voice and then works
up nearly 10 the point of frenzy
when some one doubts the wisdom
OF HIS opinions.