IT TOOK NEARLY 30 YEARS, BUT WARREN HEARNES KNOWS HE IS PART OF WATERGATE HISTORY

We don't always know everything that is being said about us.

Such was the case with former Missouri governor Warren E. Hearnes, who learned only recently that he was mentioned as a possible candidate for special prosecutor in the Watergate scandal in 1973.

Hearnes' name appears in a book, "Abuse of Power: The New Nixon Tapes," which deals with the Nixon transcripts published in 1997.

His named crops up during a discussion between Nixon and his chief of staff, Alexander Haig, on Attorney General Elliot Richardson's list of candidates for special prosecutor.

Hearnes said he felt honored. The taped conversations reflect the fact that "somebody thought I would be a good man as a prosecutor," the Charleston Democrat said.

Hearnes, who served as governor from 1965 to 1973, has had a distinguished career in politics. Since leaving the governor's office he has worked energetically with Southeast Missouri Legal Services Inc., an agency that helps indigent people with civil litigation.

Indeed Hearnes should feel honored, having been mentioned for such an important job in one of the most significant periods of U.S. history.