Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 February 1916 — JAMES E. WATSON [ARTICLE]

JAMES E. WATSON

One week from next Tuesday the eyes of the nation will be focused upon Indiana. Hoosier voters are to be the first to give expression to their views on men and measures and the primary election in this state is expected to provide some basis for forming an opinion as to the trend of thought concerning things political and the bearing that this sentiment is to have on the general election in November. For the first time in the history of the state nominations for United States senator are to be accomplished directly by the voter without the intervention of a nomination convention, except under given conditions, and m this connection it is sigiflcant Lhat one of the greatest campaigns ever waged for a senatorial nomination is being conducted by the republican aspirants to that office. The future of the United States is fraught with dangers of the gravest character; wisdom and foresight and courage must mark the course of the men who are to be entrusted with the stupendous task of correctly solving the problems which are to be encountered. Under such circumstances it ig well that Indiana has as a candidate for United States senator a man whose knowledge is deep, whose vision is wide, whose experience is ripe, a man who is in every way equipped to deal wdth legislative matters with understanding and prudence, a man who is more than a state character—a statesman who is a national figure.

That man is James E. Watson. The one vital question more than another of the coming campaign is the tariff. Following the close of the European war, which cannot continue indefinitely, this nation will be put to an industrial test such as it has never before known. We do not want to be understood as sounding a false alarm, but every precedent, every present indication and every line of logical reasoning indicate that unless the the United States enacts a proper protective tariff law at the earliest possible moment, the greatest period of depression, of unsettled business conditions, of industrial stagnation, of workmen without work, or hungry children and woe and want, will fall like a blight upon the nation. There are none so dense who may not understand that once the war is ended the struggle of war-tom nations to rehabilitate’ themselves industrially will present one of the greatest problems the world has ever faced. Impoverished, burdened with debt, their existence at stake to almost as great degree as it is in the present period of strife, the mad scramble to find a market for the things which they will produce will flood our country to such an extent that the "American ' laborer will be forced to descend to the level of the cheap labor of those, countries. He must compete under conditions which take the sweetness out of life and render it a mere struggle to °xist. Aged men, men maimed in battle, women and children must, for a few generations, provide the workers of the nations across the Atlantic. If the American laborer believes he can compete with them without the bulwark of a protective tariff then he has a lesson to learn; one that will be learned to the accompaniment of a stomach demanding food, of the tears of his children, the rags of his wife, the curse of vain regrets. If this condition is to be avoided it will only be through the medium of the republican party. Scoffers may bray their insipid mirth, the thoughtless may deride the statement, political opponents may wave the flag and utter platitudes and promises, but the facts are against them. History is bare of any record that justifies them. There is but one present remedy. Pacing such conditions the candidacy of James E. Watson is more than a state issue and is so regarded by thinking men everywhere. The nation is interested in what the republican party in Indiana does , on March 7. Mr. Watson is recognized as the greatest American exponent of a protective tariff. He believes in and advocates a tariff commission, he has supported measures in congress which created such a commission which was destroyed in its infancy by the present administration. James

E. Watson believes in a tariff sufficient to protect the American workmen from direct competition with the foreign workmen, a tariff that will permit American factories to operate and their employes to earn a wage that will afford them and their families the comforts that should be enjoyed by American citizens. But there are other considerations which the voters of Indiana must take into consideration. Owing to the number of democratic holdover senators it is altogether probable that the control of the United States senate will depend upon the action of Indiana—as Indiana, goes so will the senate —to paraphrase an old adage. It is a time for sincere thinking and right action. Senator John W. Kern, who will be renominated by the democrats, is a great campaigner, and he will put forth his effort this year. For the first time in the history of the state the senator will be elected by direct vote of the people instead of by the legislature and there is no gainsaying the fact that the republicans need a candidate who can meet Mr. Kern upon the stump—a man who can fight his own battle and that of the entire ticket, a man who is capable of making the right kind of a campaign, a man who is an authority upon the subjects which he discusses,a man who is able to present his facts and sift the chaff from the grain so that there can be no possibility of mistake on the part of the audience.

No man in the United States is superior to Mr. Watson as a campaigner. His fame is known across the nation as one of the most brilliant speakers in public life-today; one of the most effective men who ever appeared before an audience. No man may question his loyalty to party; he has worked indefatigably for the men whom his .party chose as their candidates; he has stumped the state for local men and has been one of the most valued speakers at the command of the national committee whenever and wherever his services were needed. He has given generously of his time and his talents. His legislative experience and his position and reputation are such that in case of his electon he would at once step into a commanding position as a leader in the senate; he would be handicapped by no probationary period; his ability would at once be available to the country. James E. Watson is a morally clean man, one who is a credit to the state which has honored him in the past and which should again avail itself of his ability as a statesman. It is significant that many of the leading former progressives of the state have rallied to his support and Fred Landis and other prominent progressives are active in his behalf. TheyTrf lieve in protection to American labor and want a man in Washington who knows the tariff question thoroughly, a man who has made it a study, and who is able to defend the principles of the republican party on the stump, in the senate an 3in the committee rooms of that great body. The time for action on the part of the individual voter is drawing near and it is well that he should ponder carefully his course of action. This nomination and election means more than the mere choice of a man for an office. America is facing one of the gravest periods in her history and it is well that men who have proved themselves capable should be chosen in such emergencies, for the effects cf the action of the next congress will be far reaching and upon the course pursued will hinge the welfare of the United States tp a degree that is dificult of comprehension in all it 3 phases. Mr. Watson is the oifle man to whom Indiana may most safely entrust the task of doing her part n the constructive work whichiS~tO"be: accomplished—-history-making work,, home-making work, happiness-making work, work for the worker and a market for the product of his skill and industry. It is freely predicted that Mr. Watson will carry at least eleven of: the thirteen congressional districts of this state at the primary. It is well if this assumption be true; it will indicate that the Hoosier voter is thinkng clearly and acting wisely.