The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-04-23
A CHARACTER WITNESS

When a man is on trial, he calls in his friends
as character witnesses, if he finds that he needs
them.
Quite naturally the close associates of any man
know the most about him.
In the present campaign for denomination the
best friend Of Senator James Watson is the lndl"
annapolis News. 1t is his character witness. 1t 49,
perhaps, something else too.
That newspaper is urging the voters Of the Re
publican party to again nominate Watson, and IS
pleading that he is a real statesman great leader
an invaluable public servant.
But there are those who remember that in the
not distant past, that same newspaper had an en-
tirely different idea of the qualifications and the abi
ties Of Watson.
For nearly quarter Of a century, 1t has been al
ding very frequently to phases Of his public life
which were anything but commendabe, to talents
that have nothing at all to do with leadership or
craftsmanship
1t is not too much to say that during that twenty
five years Of constant revelation of the weaknesses
of Watson the Indianapolis News did much to Gre
ate that almost universal dstrust Of him which is
expressed in public meetings and in private CONVEX
sations in every part of the State
When he is defeated for the nomination in May,
he is defeated it will be because the people Of the
State know him as a politician who has never hest.
tated to sacrifice the public good for his political
expedients
The News found Watson foe Of prohibition in
July of 1924 when in an editorial concerning the re-
moval of Bert Morgan prohibition director 1t
declared that it victory mot for prohibition
but for politics." In other words, the dry forces
we're told that Senator Watson had imperiled their
cause to satisfy his purpose.
Here the opinion of the News at that time
of Watson:
an dropping Bert Morgan who prohibition
enforcement officer for Indiana the main idea seems
to be to please Senator Watson. The Senator has
been after Morgans scalp for long time and now
he has it, 1t great victory-not for prohibition,
but for politics. Indiana has just been picked out
as conspicuous example of one State where some
thing of an effort being made to enforce the law.
In return for this the man responsible for it is told
to resign and not word of praise is given to him.
Perhaps the News was joking-and perhaps not
when it followed with the comment that Some OF
Jim Watsons valiant friends must have been caught
in one of Morgans raids"
No suggestion of craftsmanship here Merely
the picture of Senator using his influence to avengo
the prosecution of boetlegging friends.
If there be any doubt as to what the indianapolis
News then thought Of Watson and his ideal Of public
office here is another editorial taken from its issue
of July II, 1924
According to the national commissioner Of pro-
hibition, Roy A. Haynes. charges have ever
been filed against Bert A. Morgan prohibition agent
for Indiana who is regarded as efficient officer
Nevertheless, Morgan must go. Whether he has
has not administered his Office properly does not
appear to be considered. With the politicians the
question is whether Morgan has the right attitude
politically. The man who is talked of Morgan's
successor is said to be qualified but primarily I've is
regarded as a Watson man. This alone would appear
be sufficient qualification in the minds Of the Wat
son politicians He is also said to be a friend Of
State Chairman Walb, who apparently regards all
interest in patronage important part of his job
Perhaps it is, but there would appear to be enough
to do this year in managing the campaign.
"Of course, appointments to State and Federal
positions should be considered the basis of merit
Morgan, according reports, is to be put Of the
way in Indiana in the guse of a promotion that will
keep him travelling. Next the politicians presumably
will attempt to pick the right (Watson) kind of dis
trist attorney to succeed Elliott and the right wat
SOM kind of judge I'd succeed Anderson"
Well, Judge Anderson has gone In the north
ern part of the State the Federal judge would feel
nsulted any one to suggest that he is not using
all his influence to renominate Watson
This is the testimony of the chief character
witness for Watson.
1t is the evidence given when there was no rea
to faint it with suppression adulterate it with
imagination.
Has Watson changed his entire character and
viewpoint since 1924? Has he suddenly ceased to
be the master politician and become the super states
in the past two years?
If not perhaps the charge being made day after
day by Cars Adams that Watson and his new
friend propose to political hierarchy in this
State which will dominate its officials and distribute
its offices should be considered