Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 October 1908 — WATSON, HANLY AND THEIR GAME OF “DOUBLE CROSS” [ARTICLE]

WATSON, HANLY AND THEIR GAME OF “DOUBLE CROSS”

James E. Watson's supporters appear to be getting their wires crossed. Governor Hanly is telling the audiences he addresses that the election of Watson and a Republican legislature will mean state-wide prohibition, which he declares he favors, within three years. That is what Hanly said at Spiceland on Wednesday evening and is what he has said at other places. But another supporter of Mr. Watson is Thatcher A. Parker, chairman of the Republican county committee at Terre Haute. Mr. Watson spoke in that city on the evening of October 14. His friend Parker was anxious for the saloonkeepers to hear him and sent to them-a letter asking them to attend his meeting. In this letter he told the saloon men that many things had been said about Watson that were not'true, that the Republican candidate for governor was “not a fanatic” and that he was “a man that you can tie to.” He further told the saloon men that he wanted them to see and hear Watson and that if they did so they would “think toward Jim Watson as I do.” Friend Parker further said in this letter “I'want you to help elect him and I am sure you will never regret it.” From all this it would seem that the “double cross” game is being worked by Watson’s supporters for all it will stand. Hanly and men like him are promising the temperance folk “statewide prohibition” if Watson is elected, and “within three years,” while on the other hand men like Parker, Republican county chairman at Terre Haute, are assuring saloonkeepers that they can “tie to” Watson and that if they will only help to elect him they “will never regret it.” Mr. Watson himself has made many speeches of different sound and meaning at different places. It is difficult to reconcile Hanly’s promise'of “state-wide prohibition within three years” with the Parker statement that saloonkeepers “will never regret ft” if they help elect Watson.