The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-03-25
WIN Watson?


Is if really "scurrilous to suggest that the rec
ord of Senator James E. Watson as public servant
leaves something to be desired?
The organs and leaders Of the best advertised
political machine constructed in the State seem
to believe that any reference to his career which IS
NOT limited to the most general praise as faith
full servant" and monument of strength" IS libel
and SANDER.
It is just possible that the men and women VINO
will vote in the Republican primaries this spring
may desire something a trihe more specific than the
eulogies that they may be nqusitive as to what he
has really done during the long years he has been
in public office
Certainly the voter who is not overwhelmed
nv tho fear of the "best organization" may be par
doned if he listens for an answer to the questions
which CIars Adams is daily asking concerning thlS
record
Adams asks for one specific achievement OF the
Senator, one real service which he has rendered
either to the State or to the Nation.
He answers his own question with the charge
that there is important piece OF Legislation WHICH
bears the name of Watson law which he sug
pesed or fathered that stands monument to TINS
great statesman.
If that charge be false and slanderous it should
be easy for the great organization which is so
well financed and so far flung to point to the law,
the cause or the principle which Watson has contrib
uted or fOsered saved.
His managers should welcome the opportunity
to answer with something more than an adjective
If he has been really great factor in the
Senate. if he is dedicated to the welfare Of the
Nation and State his friends should seize upon the
opening to parade his record to point with pride
1ichD RI he SDecific in their
plies.
There have been other Senators from this
State about whose records there evasive-
ness
1t has been represented in that body by men
whose deeds and words written into history and
whose friends and followers would have welcomed
Just such a chance the sure knowledge that but to
list them would be to make new friends and new
followers.
Can it be that the refusal to answer the demand
Of Adams for details due to the fact that there is
no answer?
Us it possible that Watson's press agents and
his political organization have searched in vain for
e4en one specific contribution to the national vel
fare in the years he has been in the Senate?
Can this be the reason that the carefully con-
structed machine which is working in his behalf, de-
voted it's efforts for months to the task OF prevent
Ing any opposition to his candidacy in the pri-
maries?
Is it possible that they feared not Adams, but
any man who would arise and ask the very questions
which Adams is putting to the voters OF this
State?
Certain it is that his friends and followers spent
much time and great effort to forestall any oppos
ton.
They seemed to fear fight, where, if Watson
he onehalf of what is claimed for him, they should
have welcomed the opportunity to tell the story of
his greatness by the simple record of his deeds
Rather a strange situation for giant, if there
re TO victories to which he point with pride.
Possibly Watson is being sandered. But if he
is the libel does not come from Adams.
The silence of his friends their refusal to
answer with list of laws, causes and principles,
is the biggest SANDER which be hurled at any
real statesman.
Some one should really tell the voters the answer
to that question, "Why Watson?"