The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-06-09
A DISRUPTED ORGAN.
A NEW DEAL IN THE JoURNAl

FORMATION.
The rumors and gossip filing the air con-
corning the Journal of this city were chrys-
talized yesterday into actual facts by the
announcement in the evening echo
of the morning organ, that Mr.. j. NJ.
Redenour had given in his checks, and that
Mr.. n. r. Ruckle, the sheriff of the county,
held the cards and would continue the
deal. Presenting that its readers
would be interested in knowing
the processes by which politician may, on
an original capital OF nothing, secure the
control OF party organ, which may be sup
posed to represent some sort of imam
cial value, even though mortgaged
"three deep" as one of lis disguised ex-
stock holders neatly put 1.-THE Sentinel
has by dint of interviewing and comparing
notes, put the whole transaction into coher-
ent shape First to begin at the
beginning of the thing, it must be known
that for year or more there have been
various cliQues OF partisans in the city and
county and state, who have not been
pleased as it were with the
NoNDEsCRIPT COURSE
of the organ. 1t was at first generally COM
planned that, for an institution supported
on a lavish yield of public spoil, it W as beg
carly and thin. That 1t was edited by
Stevens and conducted by slaves. That, in
fact, it was stale, flat and unprofita-
BILE, and that so long as it con-
tinued in that condition, the party didn't
care much whether it sunk or survived. A
change then came to pass. An unfortunate
journalist who had met misrepresentation in
the sinking fortunes of the paper,
and although his advent was marked by a
grotesque address, somewhat like Pope's
saddle bulletin, it is only fair to say that be
squared things up considerably. Gifted
with a great flow of animal spirits, which he
possibly mistook for mental vigor, he
plunged into the wrong side of nearly every
public measure. He alienated sucn
friends as the paper had retained
through it's shifting vicissitudes, and by
obstinacy, egotism and ill-breeding repealed
the kindly Offices of those who would have
held out a helping hand. These things
brought about complaint and depreciation
/ in the paper as property, and the conserva-
tive stockholders of the Hass, Simpson kind,
demanded to be released from the company,
| To them, as business men, the concern had
no inducements. Its sole value is TO men
eager to lead in politics and cover the traces
where the
f; RINGS HAVE BEEN FIXED.
| The late loss of the city 10 the republican
party was attributed to the new editor and
his supporter, the retiring president, hence
| Colonel Ruckle, who has tasted the sweets
of office after several Intellectual at
/ tempts, finally secured ring to
back him with sufficient money
to secure the controlling interest He man.
! aged the transaction with consummate ad
| dress, Mr.. Ridenour never learning of It
/ until the transfer of stock from Messrs.
! HasseIman, w. p. Fishback and j. ID. Simp-
son. was formally asked TO be entered on
! . ho he IA W
almost paralyzing to Mr.. Ridenour. He
/ had been looking forward TO a long career of
usefulness as the business director Of the
establishment, and the sudden rev.
olution struck him with sore dis
| appointment. He offered instantly to buy
Mr.. Ruckle's bargain, but that gentleman,
according to the facts concealed, was not a
! free agent. A higher power than his held
the paper the wniskey power. 1t
had been freely urged that the Journals
question had lost it the support of both sides
as a newspaper, and had lost the party the
election as an organ. The
NEW DIsBENsAIIoN
was organized to tack square
about and run up the whisky
flag at the peak-thus as it was argued, Sc.
curing the lost vote. In the natural order
of things, the new firm could not gain pos.
4
that supplied the money TO buy the other
stock holders, came to time to get rid of Mr.
| Ridenour, and he was paid the price of bis
stock and politely bowed out yesterday. A
week or more ago, Mr.. Halford was informed
that the new policy of the paper did not con-
template his retention. An interview yester-
day evening with Mr.. Ruckle confirms that
statement. In response to direct inquiry
l Mr.. Ruckle said that the only change OF con-
sequence to be, made just at present would
be the removal of Mr.. E. w. Halford as ed
itor. Mr.. John D.. Nicholas would
charge Immediately.
/ He said Mr.. Halford would not hold any
position at all on the paper. In the count
ing-room there would be no changes al
present, and as for the politics of the paper
4 it would remain strictly republican. In
some minor matters it would make a deri.
] walton from the past style of its editorial
conduct, in keeping with the changing con-
dition of things.
The new editor of the Journal is not un-
known to the city either as journalist or
politician. For the position of editor he
has never shown the first evidence OF 1T
ness, while for the trade of politics of low
sort, he is perfectly adapted. Wholly
Il without culture, or any outward indication
OF inward refinement, he Is reflex OF the
yulgarest species of bar-room practitioner.
What purpose sane man can have in entrust-
ing him with the destinies of newspaper
is inexplicable unless Mr. Ruckle wishes
to show the liquor interest that he means bus
4 ness, and don't mean to stick at anything.
Last evening the Few firm came in and the
old rassed out. Mr.. Ridenour visited the
news room and took leave of his old associ-
ates in brief and friendly way.
MR. RIDENoUR's ABDrcATIoN.
| Two years and few days have elapsed
since my official connection with the Journal.
The time has now come for our separation,
and for me to give you my official good bye
Before doing go, however, must be permit
ted to briefly review the past. With many
of you I have lsbored from the first with
| many more only few short months. with
others who are not now here also worked.