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WON TO GO
ONTfSW
Says He Will Unite With Bryan
and Thoroughly Canvass
the Doubtful States.
GREAT JOY AT HIS HOME
People of All Parties Will Join In One
Big Ratification Meeting
at Thomson,
AS A LAWYER AND POLITICIAN
Tha Populist Candidate for Vice-President
a Veritable Book-Worm—His
Life In Georgia.
THOMSON, July 25.—The nomination
of Hon, Thoma* E, Watson for vice-presi
dent has onuscd'consiJerablc oxoitement in
tills part of the state,and your correspon
dent called on him this morning to get his
views on the political outlook.
Mr. Watson stated that ho was not a can
didate for the position and had Instructed
Ids friends not to allow the use of hi*
name, but on yesterday ho received tele
grams from various delegates to the St.
Louis convention stating that disorder
reigned supreme and that harmony could
only be restored among all factions by
naming Bryan for president and himself
for vice-president.
Mr. Watson answered them stating that
in no sense was he a candidate for the
position, but that in order to restore har
mony ho would A consent*to the ;uso of his
name.
Watson Admires Bryan.
When asked his opinion of Mr. Bryan he
stated that he had several times expressed
himself in editorials on the subject and
that he stood by what ho had previously
said. He believes Mr, Bryan to bo honest,
upright and intelligent and perhaps the
ablest advocate cf free coinage in America.
Mr. Watson served in congrees with Bryan
and the best of friendly feeling exists be
tween them. When asked what he consid
ered his prospects of being elected, he said
it was difficult to form an intelligent con
clusion in the present chaotic state of the
free silver people but that it now looked.aa
if he and Bryan would stand or fall to
gothtr. Ho.considers it absolutely impos
sible for Bryan to be elected without the
assistance of the Populists and equally im
to * Jt -> idP
•—of"t<R! flea’silver Democrats.
Will Take the Stump.
| When askee’ could give bls hearty
support to Bryan he said that ho most as
suredly would j that ho considered this a
common fight aud stat ho would take the
stump for the ticket whenever and wher
ever ho was needed; that ho would stump
the doubtful western states with Bryan
and at such appointments as the campaign
managers saw fit to direct. He envs that
If the free silver people unite and make
Bn active and aggressive campaign Bryan
will be the next president.
As to how the voters were to be United
he was in doubt He ruggested that per
haps if Mr. Sewali saw the impossibility of
the ticket being elected as it stood that
from pure patriotic motives he would with
draw and thus leave the field open.
Hopes for Success.
He contends that by uniting the silver
people the south and west can elect the
next president and vice-president without
one vote In the north and east.
Mr. Watson is receiving telegrams of
congratulations from prominent free silver
people in aU parts of the United States. It
is impossible to say when a ratification
meeting will be held here, until the final
action of tire St. Louis convention. The
people of all political parties will no doubt
join In and make It an occasion long to be
remembered in this and surrounding coun
ties.
Mr. Watson’s Home Life.
Mr. Watson has been unusually blessed
in his homelife. He lives in a comfortable
home in this town. It is a 2-story frame
house set in a mass of shrubbery, very
much like the homes of the ante-bellum
southerners.
He has a beautiful wife who is a favor
ite with all who have ever root her. She
Is one of these quiet, unassuming southern
women, with a smooth, placid face, lit up
'with bnztfl eyes and crowned with soft
brown hAir that is worn smooth at the
sides and gives her face the appearance o.
that of the madonna. The cordial manner
with which she greats a visitor to her
home, her quiet dignity, and her womanll
nest> are very charming, and it Is said that
a visitor once entertained in the Watson
home longs to return there to taste of its
hospitalities.
Mrs. Wation was a Miss Durham of
Thomson and she was married to Mr. Wat
son about 16 year? ago. She is possessed
of more than the average share of woman
ly beauty, and she is thoroughly in sympa
thy with her husband’s work. She has
been a helpmeet to him in every sense of
the word,and keeps posted on all political
matters bo that she is at all times a very
valuable adviser.
Two Children.
Mr. and Mrs. Watson have two children, a
boy and a girl. The boy, Durham Watson,
la 15 years old, and he is very much like his
father in personal appearance. He is fall
and thin, has small features, and is active
in his motion*. Ever since tie has been a
small boy he baa been accustomed to ac
company his father in his buggy on
Ills journeys to the ditTeient courts
In the country at which he practices.
Agnes, tho little girl, is 12 years old,
find is very much like her mother. She la
a beautiful child, and has vary womanly
ways for one so young. She ia a ,great
comfort to hoi parents and a great help to
her mother in her household untie*.
Watson in HU Mudy.
Mr u Ay.qtwyn .spends most y* J line
rSSSI
MB #9
t® -
J® jSlBr w
k wwy
<kc
-.men not actively engaged, in business hi
the little study at his home. This study
is a little room built upon the western side
of his large front porch. The sight that
meets one on entering there is a tremen
dous pile of very large books with a little
man in the midst of them. Mr. Watson is
a veritable bookworm, and for days at a
time sits in the midst of his books boring
his way to tho right and to the left in
search of information. One entering his
office has to literally wade to him through
waves of information, law and polities.
I Mr. Watson has the reputation of being
i one of the finest and most effective jury
: lawyers in the state and his style of ora
• tory, his knowledge of human nature, to
! gether with hie broad sympathy, makes
i him a formidable antagonist in the court -
I room. Some of the most thrill lug scenes
i that have been enacted in a courtroom
have been caused by tho fervid appeals of
this man with slight frame, but rtirrhr
words as he pleaded for tha life of a fellow
man, and in fact nearly the whole of Mr.
.» Watson’s practice has been on tho side o
tho defendant in the criminal courts, al
though his business is by no means con
fined to tho criminal court. He enjoys a
largo civil business that spreads through
out tho counties in the Tenth district,
where he is universally beloved, especially
by the Populists.
As a Politician.
Mr. Watson was born in McDuffie county,
then Columbia, on Sept. 5, 1856. He bad a
common school education and entered
Mercer University in 1872, but for want of
means left college at the end of theSopho
| r. t augKt schon) mid »tnd !«»<« Iv. w
vatuud untied to tho bar in be-
gan to practice in Thomson andpias prac
ticed hero continually ever sinefc. He was
a delegate to the Democratic stj.te conven
tion in 1880; state representative in 1882;
Cleveland elector-at-large ii 1888, and
elected in 1890 as a Democrat to tho Fifty
second congress. While a member of that
body ho joined the Populist movement and
has since been tho recognized leader of tho
Populist party in the south. While a
Democrat ho Was a champion of Alliance
principles, and his election to congress was
a dashing display of ability,eloquence and
popular power. His fame, perhaps, as a
writer is as extended as bis reputatio as a
politician He is editor of tho People’s
Party Paper, Atlata, and Is the author of
several books. He is r?ow wilting a his
tory of France.
Cordele’s First Bale.
Cordelf., Ga., July 28 —The first bale
of new cotton grown in this section was
brought to Cordele today by A. J. Fenn,
and sold by J. A. Perry, warehouseman,
to S. J. Hill for 10 cents per pound.
“MR. SPEAKER, WHERE WAS I AT?”
Watson’s Arraignment of the Fifty-Second Congress, of Which He
Was a Member, Gave Him National Notoriety.
The vica-presidpntial nominee of the Populist parti, Hon. Thomas E. Watson ,was
a member as a Democrat of the Fifty-second congress from tho Tenth congressional
district of Georgia. It was while a member of this body that he went over to Popu
lism, took the reins of tho party in Georgia in his hands and stood as a Populist for
re-eloction at the next term against Major Black, tho Democratic nominee in tho
Tenth,and was dofeatod. He has continuously opposed Black at the polls since with
out avail. It was as a member of the Fiftjsecond congress that ho became especially
notorious by his Populist campaign book and secured for himself the encomium,
“ Whexe Am I At Watson, ” thatkli as followed him to this day and gave to him at the
time national notoriety. When the book was issued, containing as it did a severe ar
raignment of tho congress of which ho was a member, a wave of indignation spread
over tho country, especially among tho Democrats, to whom he owed his election as a
national legislator. The papers, east, west and south, took it up. The charges were
reviewed and discussed. Tho Populists defended him and the battle of words and
sentences that ensued made Watson for a brief time one ol the most talked-of men in
America.
His arraignment of con; re s was soverfe in tho extreme. Ho charged drunkenness,
instability, The traffic of votes and othei things that would naturally call down upon
him tho revolt of every opposing element.. His ri foronco to “Where was I at, ’’purport
ing to show that members appeared in the proceedings in a drunken, maudlin condi
tion, was in tho following language:
“The congress now sitting is one illustration. Pledged to reform, they have not
reformed. Pledged to louislato they have not Jegi.da’ed. Extravagance has been
the order of the day. Absenteeism was never so pronounced. Lack of purpose was
never so clear. Lack of common business prudence never so glaring. Drunken mem
box s have reeled about the aisles—a disgrace to the republic. Drunken speakers have
debated grave issues on tho floor and in tho midst of maudlin xamblings have boon
hoard to ask:
• “ ‘MR. SPEAKER. WHERE WAS I AT.’ ”
“Honorable members made strenuous efforts fora Relief Expedition to the starting
Russians. They hooted at the idea of relieving starving Americans. Honorable
members grow white in the face denouncing tho wrong wo put on ‘tho poor China
man’ when wo passed a law requesting him to ‘stay at homo and boaid at the same
place.’ But they grabbed thoir able hats and went to lunch when ‘the poor Ameri
cans’ were mentioned. Distance lends enchantment to the congressional view—on
tho poverty question. They can see a case of distress on the other side of tho ocean—
not on this side. That’s th© kind of ejos they have. Tho grievances of the laborers
and producers of America have nothing to hope from these mon.’’
Tho appearance of the book produced a profound tensation and Watson stood by
his text. Tho phrase “Where Am I At, ’’ has been widely quoted since, and in many
instances credited to Mr. Watson as an original expression. As a matter of fact, the
phrase was originated by Hon. Thomas Cobb of Alabama, and is today one of the
most famous idioms in the English language.
Mr. Watson has u-od tho subject matter of his celebrated Campaign book from the
stump in Georgia on numerous occasions. Whenever he arraigns the congress of which
he was a member and uses the alleged expression of an alleged drunken member, he
brings tho house down, whether the auditors are in sympathy with his views or not.
R’S PARTY PAPER, ATLANTATTLA., WW
ANTI SE WALL TEST VOTE.
Majority of 101 for The Plan to Name
the Vice President First.
St. Louis, July 24.—The following’ is
the yea and nay vote by States in the
Populist Convention on the motion to
adopt the minority report recommend
ing tho nomination of a candidate for
Vice President before that for Presi
dent. The totals do not agree with the
official figures announced, which were
785 to 615, but the Assistant Secretary
who kept the tally, admitted that his
totals were too large, a mistake of
about 100 votes having been made in
adding:
STATES. YEAS NAYS
Alabama 26 28
Arkansas 23 1
California 83 6
Colorado 11 45
Connecticut 2 3
Delaware 3
Florida 8
Georgia 61
Idaho 7
Illinois 31 22
ndiana 17 13
lowa 12 18
Kansas 2 90
Kentucky 15 9
Louisiana 2 26
Maine 9 9
Maryland 9
Massachusetts 18 2
Michigan 13 17
Minnesota 34 19
’vs
.Missouri.. 87 .< 1
Montana 1 10
Nebraska 57
Nevada •.».
New Hampshire. ,4
New Jersey 77
New York 6 38
North Carolina. 95
North Dakota 3 9
Ohio 44 1
Oregon 7 6
Pennsylvania 17 21
Rhode Island- 4
South Carolina
South Dakota 17
Tennessee 77
Texas 103
Utah 5
Vermont, 2 2
Virginia 17 36
Washington 17 1
West Virginia. 3 4
Wisconsin 24 1
Wyoming .. 7
Arizona 6
Indian Territory 2 1
New Mexico. 6
District of Columbia 6
Oklahoma 6 2
Totals, 738 637
THE POPULIST
As Adopted by the Peoples’ rarty Conven=
tion at St, Louis.
The People’s Party assembled in National Convention, reaffirms its allegi
ance to the principles declared by the founders of the republic, and also to the
fundamental principles of just government as enunciated in the platform of
the party in 1892.
We recognize that, through the connivance of the present and proceeding
administrations )he country has reached a crisis iu its national life as predicted
in our declaration four years ago, and that prompt and patriotic action is the
supreme duty of the hour. We realize that while we have political independ
ence our tinaneial and industrial independence is yet to be attained by restor
ing to our country the constitutional control and exercise of the functions neces
sary to a people’s government, which functions have been basely surrendered
by our public servants to corporate monopolies. The influence of European
money char gers has been more potent in shaping legislation than the voice of
the American people. Executive power and pttronage have been used to cor
rupt our Legislatures and defeat the. will of the people aud plutocracy has been
enthroned upon the ruins of Democracy. To restore the government intended
by the fathers and for the welfare and prosperity of this and future generations,
we demand the establishment of an economic and financial system which shall
make us masters of our own affairs, and independent of European control by
the adoption of the following declaration of principles;
’ ‘ FINANCE.
1. We demand a national money, safe and sound, issued by the general
government only, without the intervention of banks of issue, to be a full legal
tender for all debts, public and private: also a just, equitable, and efficient
means of distribution direct to the people and through the lawful disbursements
of the government.
2. We demand the free and unrestricted coinage of silver and gold at the
present legal ratio of 16 to 1, without waiting for the consent of foreign nations,
3. We demand that the volume of circulating medium be speedily increased
to au amount sufficient to meet the, demands of the business population of this
country and to restore the just level of prices of labor and production.
4. We denovjtce the sale of bonds and the increase of the public interest
bearing bond debt made by the present administration as unnecessary and with
out authority of law, and that no more bonds be issued except by specific act
of Congress.
5. We demand such legal legislation as will prevent the demouetization of
the lawful money of the United States by private contract.
6. We demaud that the Government, in payment of its obligations, shall
use its option as to the kind of lawful money in which they are to be paid, and
we denounce the present and preceding administrations for surrendering this
option to the holders of government obligations.
7. We demand a graduated income tax to the end that aggregated wealth
shall bear its just proportion of taxation, and we denounce the decision of the
Supreme Court relative to the income tax law as a misinterpretation of the
Constitution and an invasion of the rightful powers of Congress over the sub
ject of taxation.
8. We demand that postal savings banks be established by the government
for the safe deposit of the savings of the people and to facilitate exchange.
ti:a nsportatio n.
1. Transportation being a means of exchange aud a public necessity, the
government should own aud operate the railroads in the interest of the people
and on non-partisan basis, to the end that all may be accorded the same treat
ment iu transportation and that the tyranny and political power now exercised
by the great railroad corporation, which result in the impairment, if not the
destruction, of the political rights and personal liberties of the citizen, may be
destroyed. Such ownership is to be accomplished gradually, iu a manner con
sistent with sound public policy
2. The interest of the United States in the public highways, built with
public moneys and the proceeds of extensive grants of lands to the Pacific rail
roads should never be alienated, mortgaged, or sold, but guarded and protected
for the general welfare as provided by the laws organizing such railroads. The
foreclosure of existing liens of the United States on these roads should at once
follow default in the payment of the debt of the companies and at the foreclosure
sales of said roads, the government shall purchase the same it it became neces
sary to protect its interests therein, or if they can be purchased at a reasonable
price; and the government shall operate said railroads as public highways for
the benefit of the whole, and not in the interest of the few, under suitable pro
visions for protection of life and property, giving to all transportation interests
equal privileges and equal rates for lares and freight.
3. We denounce the present infamous schemes for refunding these debts,
and demand that the laws now applicable thereto be executed and administered
according to their true, intent and spirit.
4. The telegraph, like the post-office system, being a necessity for the trans
mission of news, should be owned and operated by the government in the in
terest of the people.
LAND.
1. The true pulley demands that national and State legislation shall be
such as will ultimately enable every prudent and industrious citizen to secure
a home, and therefore the land should not be monopolized for speculative pur
poses. All lands now held by railroads and other corporations in excess of their
actual needs should by lawful means be reclaimed by the government and held
for actual settlers only, and private land monopoly, as well as alien ownership,
should be prohibited.
2. We condemn the frauds by which the land grant to the Pacific r«dj’oad
companies L.Tte, y <;ugh ti e connivance of th interior Department, robbed
’ Multitudes of . - a,’ ; no. fide Betileie? us their hoxnew .tad miners of (.heir claims,
and we demand legislation by Congress which will enfore the exemption of
mineral from inch grants after as well as before patent. /
3. We demand that bona fide settlers on all public lands be provided free
homes and be provided for in the national homestead law, and thateno excep-.
tion be niade in the case of Indian reservations when opened for settit moot, and
that all lands not now patented come under this demand.
DIRECT LEG ISLATIDN.
We favor a system of direct legislation through the initiative and referendum
under*proper constitutional safeguards.
' GENERAL PROPOSITIONS.
1. We demand the election of President, Vice President, and United States
Senates by a direct vote of the people.
2. We’tender to the patriotic people of Cuba our deepest sympathy in their
heroic struggle for political freedom and independence, and we believe the time
has come when the United States, the great republic of the world, should
recognize that Cuba is and of right ctight to be a free and independent state.
8. We favor home rule iu the Territories and the District of Columbia, and
the early admission of Territories as Stites.
4. All public salaries should be made to correspond to the price of labor
and its products.
5. In times of great industrial depression, idle labor should be employed on
public works as far as practicable. }
6. The arbitrary course of the courts in assuming to imprison citizens for
indirect contempt, and ruling by injunction, should be prevented by proper
legislation.
7. We favor jtfst pensions for our disabled Union soldiers.
8. Believing that the election franchise aud untrammeled ballot are essen
tial to a government of. for. and by the people, the Peoples party condemn the
wholesale system of disfranchisement adopted in some States as unrepublican
and undemocratic, and we declare it to be the duty of the several State Legisla
tures to take such action as will secure a full, free, and fair ballot and an honest
count.
9. While the foregoing propositions constitute the platform upon which
our party stands, and for the vindication of which its organization will be main
tained. we recognize that the great and pressing issue of the pending campaign
upon which the present Presidential election will turn is the financial question,
and upon this great and specific issue between the parties we cordially invite
the aid and co-operation of all organizations and citizens agreeing with us upon
this vital question.
AVliat the Nev/ York World Says.
The Populist candidate for Vice Presi
dent, Tom Watson, of Thomson, Ga., is
nearly forty years old It would sur
prise him to be called Thomas E. Wat
son. He is rather below the medium
size, thin, weighing 140 or 150 pounds.
His angular, freckled face is always
smooth shaven; his well-shaped head is
covered with a thick crop of hair of a
color bis friends call auburn, his ene
mies red. He has a good flow of langu
age; tears in his voice when he wishes
to touch his hearers feelings. But he
is a fiery debater. No one has doubted
his personal courage. No one doubts
that, whether he is right or wrong.
Tom Watson believes he is right.
Mr. Watson was born in Columbia
county, Ga., Sept 5, 1856. lie was
educated in the public schools, and was
then sent to Mercer University, at
Macon, Ga. He was too poor to go
through college and left at the end of
the sophomore year. Then he taught
school for two years. He read law under
Judge W. R. Me Laws, at Augusta, Ga.,
and was adm.tted to the bar. He be
gan to practice law in November, 1876,
at his old home, Thomson, Ga. He
made a small fortune—for Georgia
640,000 or 650,0J0 at his profession, the
larger part of which has been expended
in legitimately furthering his political
ambition. Besides the law, Mr. Watson
has been and is interested in farming.
Scarcely had Mr. Watson been elected
to the Fifty-second Congress when he
wrote to Charles F. Crisp, a Democrat
of his own State, and a candidate for
Speaker of the House :
“1 feel bound to vote for that Demo-
crat who has been the most active and
radical in his demands for tariff reform,
and who stands nearest to the Ocala
platform of the Farmera’ Alliance. I
have no hesitation in saying that the
Ocala platform meets my hearty en
dorsement and that my chief hope for
any real reform, beneficial to the
masses, rests upon that order.”
Mr. Watson soon showed that he was
a Populist, not a Democrat. He in
grafted himself with the Farmer’s Al
liance. He at once became identifiel
with the extreme, or Third Party ele
ment, as opposed to the conservative or
Democratic-Alliance, of which Con
gressman L. F. Livingston was the
head. When the lines were drawn more
closely, and the Alliance declared open
ly for a new party, Livingston was re
pudiated and Tom Watson became the
idol of the farmers. His influence was
strong, because it was based on the be
lief that he was sincere.
In passing it may be said that Watson
has publicly announced that he is fond
of his wife. In a campaign speech Mr.
Watson made at Augusta, Ga., when
his thiad-party constituents gave him a
rousing reception, Mr. Watson said:
“I thank you not only for myself, but
in the name of my good little wife,
who has shared every hour of my toil,
and without whose company 1 should
have been weak indeed. If 1 have been
able to be true to you, which I think I
have: If 1 have been able never to for
get that down in the old tenth district
were the warm hearts of the people
whose place I represented in the na
tional halls who wished their views put
before the country; it was very largely
to that part of the firm of Watson and
wife which was the better member of
the two.” (Cheer* for Mrs. Watson.)
HOW THE PLATFORM WAS MADE.
Message to The World From the Chairman of the Committee and
the People’s Party Candidate for President in 1892.
To the Editor of The World : ’ Si. Louis, July 2t.
[ Replying- to your question whether I believe the radical element of the Pop
ulist party at the South and ’t\ est- will support a platform as conservative, from
a Populist point of view, as that adopted today, I answer emphatically. Yes.
The platform js the joint work of five sub committees of five each revised
! by the five sub-committees combined, and finally carefully scrutinized by the
whole committee, consisting of one member from each State and T rritory.
J. B. Weaver,
Chairman of the. Resolution Committee.
SENATOR BUTLER SAYS FUSION WILL BE SUCCESSFUL,
To the Editor of The World: ' " Ju ‘T !4 -
There will be successful fusion between Populists and Democrats, and only
one electoral ticket in each of the States, Marion Butler,
Temporary Chairman of Convention and U. S. Senator from Kurth Carolina.
MRS. LEASE SEES UNION IF NOT VICTORY.
St. Louis, July 24,
To tlie Editor of The World :
1 have no doubt there will now be a complete union in all the States of the
i Populist and Democratic parties. Both parties are determined to unite the
electoral tickets. Mmi Elizabeth Lease.
THE TARIFF NOT AN ISSUE.
St. Louis, July 24.
| To the Editor of The World:
There is no tariff plank in the Peoples party platform, because we do not
regard the tariff as an issue in this campaign.
I think there will be a complete union of all silver forces
VVh.i.iam V. Allen,
Chairman of the Peoples Party Convention.
POPULISTS DON'T CARE ABOUT THE TARIFF.
Sr. Louis, July 24.
t To tho Editor of The World:
The tariff as regarded by the Populists is purely a question of taxation. It
is seldom referred to in Populist platforms, and is not considered a leading issue
at the pi esent time. W. A. Peffeb,
United States Senator from Kansas.
SENATOR PETTIGREW'S VIEWS.
St. Louis, July 24.
To the Editor of The World :
If Bryan and Sewali had been endorsed by this convention there would
have been every likelihood of their election. The silver sentiment is growiux
among the Republicans, especially in the West It will continue to grow in
spite of what the gold men may do. The more the people study the question
tne more silver men increase. I know several national bankers whahave in the
last thirty days become converted to the silver cause.
I have never for a moment regretted my action in leaving the Republican
Convention. lam sure, with all the silver forces united the Republican party
will be defeated next November. Mr. Bryan is a fine man, and fully satisfac
tory and competent as a candidate to lead the silver forces.
R. F. Pettigbew,
Senator from South Dakota and Bolter from Republican National Convention,
PRESIDENT WARNER SAYS ALL SILVER FORCES ARE NOW UNITED.
St. Lovis, July 24.
To the Editor of The World:
The indorsement of Bryan and silver by the. two conventions at St. Louis
mesns the union of all the silver forces in the election this year, and that is all
that is necessary to elect the ticket, 'A. J. Warner,
President of American Bimetallic League,
•‘NINETY PER CENT OF WESTERN SILVER VOTE IS REPUBLICAN."
St. Louis, July 24
To the Editor of The World I ,
As 1 looked into the determined faces of the members otthis Silver Conven
tion, 90 per cent of whom were formerly Republicans, I believed that this is a
fair estimate of the forces independent of the bankin'-,and corporate kt-xesti
in this Western onuntry.
West of the Mississippi river might be called the storm centre of the silver
movement, yet. J find a mo-:- decided fi-qling all through the middle of the'Miil
dle States favorable to the Democratic candidates.
I am convinced that Bryan will be elected President of the United States os
the 3d of next November. R. E. Diefenderfer.
Secretary of the National Silver Convent on.
WHEN TOM WATSON BECAME FAMOUS.
Leaped into Prominence By a Fiery Speech in the Memorable Deadw
locked Democratic State Convention in 1880.
Hon. Thomas E. Watson spxang into fame 16 years ago in Atlanta. Ho was then a
beardJesi country youth,practically unknown beyond the bounds of his native county
and looked upon in the Democratic state convention, of which he was a member, as a
“hayseed delegate fiom McDufliie”—a spiightly young man with a clever head but
! au awkwaxd moie,
When he appealed in tho convention hall on the 4th day of August. l“S0, his name
was mentioned only by the secretary in the roll call of delegates: when he left a week
later, after six days of the most oxciting, eagex, reckless factional antagonism ever
waged in Georgia,bis name was on evexy tongue, his pictures wore floating through
the mails of the state,his own sentences, sprung with an intensity of passion In an
hour of wildest turmoil, wexe quoted in every paper—in a few brief houxs the young
McDuffie delegate found himself famous.
The convention was the most remarkable in the political annals of the south, save
that of the memorable national convention that met in Charleston in 1860. The cru
sade against Governor Colquitt focalized in a thunderous storm. A question that
excited much feeling and speculation was whether the convention should adopt &
two-third rule. The majority rule would give tho nomination to Colquitt. Tho anti-
Colquitt forces were determined to precipitate a deadlock, and they were successful.
There wexe four candidates placed in nomination iu opposition to Colquitt-Lester,
HaidemaßtGartrell aud Warner. The Held was against tho governor. Vote after rote
was polled, and though Colquitt led by a majority he could not secure the necessary
two-tbirds. The third day opened without a change. Dining the progress of the roll
calls tho wildest scones imaginable were enacted on the floor.
Dr. Henry H. Carlton, of the minority forces, proposed that a committee of two
from each of the five parties be appointed to select, a compromise candidate. This
excited a flurry of indignation. Hon. Patrick Walsh made the speech of his life in
opposition to the motion,and it was tabled.
At that juncture young Watson stepped to the front. He moved that six delegates
be appointed from each faction in the convention to select a candidate other than
those before tho convention It was the speech,short, but fiery, that followed this mo-
I tion,that made him famous. • He said:
“Sir. lam tired of hearing the cry of generosity, when I see no generosity. Inm
tired of this crj of hnrmony when I see no harmonv. I have not come hero to be fat
i toned on chaff nor filled with taffy. You might as well attempt to gain flesh on
lorn-cob soup in January,
“Mr. Chairman I have said and I sav it now, that I am here with no bitterness of
partisan rancor. I have fought this much-named gentleman, A. H. Colquitts I have
i fought him iionestly. I have advocated Rufus Lest?r. I have advocated him honestly,
j But high and serene above them both, above mi opposition to Colquitt, above mj mp-
j port of Lester, rises my Jove, my devotion to my state, like the tranquil star that
burns and gleams beyond the reach of the drifting clouds.
“Sir, the gentleman's position means we must take Colquitt or the party shall be
disrupted. Sir, if it must come, let it come. Wo love the party,honor it,ara devoted
to it, but we will not yield when the gentleman’s speech has made it a loss cf self
respect to surrender.
“If they will split this convention, we will be here to the end. If they will sink
the ship wo will remain in her shadow to the last. We would deprecate it. We would
deplore it. But if she can only bo saved on tiums as unmanly as those,then—
“ ‘Nail to tha mast her holy flag,
So.' every threadbare sail,
And give her to the god of storms,
The lightning and the gale, ’ ”
The effect was electrical. From all parts of the hnll the minority advocatei
crowded about him and shook bis hand. Knowing ones prophesied and the conven
tion was in a turmoil of excitement.
But Watson was famous.
The work of the convention after this is historj. Balloting was continued without
effect until the following Tuesday, and finally the convention adjourned without
making a formal nomination, though Colquitt was recommended by a majority for
governor and was gloriously elected at the polls.
Governor Atkinson has respited Gus
Fambles, who was sentenced to be
hung oq the 7th of August,
Mrs. Nobles and Gus Fambles were
jointly charged with the murder of Mrs.
Noble’s husband, and were both con
victed, Mrs- Nobles’ case is in the su
| preme court and if a new tr ial xs granl
i ed, the governor thinks that Gus Fam
j bles may be needed as a witness.
nl m na I Hog Cholera CURE,
re 111 III! I ™s is the Formula
IlillllJliai the United States
IlvtiiviiMi Bureau of Animal In
dustry—a Formula which has cost the
United States some hundreds of thous
ands of dollars to formulate. It's the
best that’s known to-day by the united
science of the country. One package
(8 ounces) by mail, post-paid, 30 cents.
The Howard A, Willet Drug Company,
Augusta, Ga„ Manufacturer,
5
