Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-10-19
"MIXED..
One of the Defeated Speaks Out
in Meeting, and Tells
How it Was.

indianapolis Journal
There were several things, too
many to enumerate, some trivial and
some of the first importance, that
cOnspir1d together to cause our de-
feat, said j. G. Shanklin, secretary
of state, and late candidate for re-
election, to a Journal reporter yester-
day. THE national platform made a
serious mistake in recognizing the
question of tariff, which had no need
to be made a factor in this canvass at
all. Henry Watterson is to be cred
tied with that blunder. English s
nomination was a mistake. He is not
in sympathy with the democracy OF
Indiana. His nomination was
made on the assumption that he was
rich, which is true, and would
spend plenty Of money in the cam
paign, which was not true. met him
in Cincinnati at the convention, and
he there promised me that he would
give 100000 toward the campaign
he hasn't done it. The amount of his
contribution is just $1,000. The idea
OF nominating a man merely because
he has money is rcpulsive to a great
many democratic voters. The nomin-
alton of Franklin Landers was a mis-
take; we all see that now. The money
consideration played an important
part in his nomination. He said to
me just before the state convention:
They may defeat me for the nomina-
tlOn, but If I'm nominated they can {
beat mel will not be beaten. He
minated that business had been
prosperous with him; he had made
a great deal Of money, and if
nominated, would spend it. Two
years ago, when the state ticket was in
the field, Mr.. Landers took an active
part in that campaign. He was max
ing his preliminary canvass for the
nomination of governor, you see. So
was Colonel Gray. Wen, Colonel
Gray made his canvass at his own ex-
pense but do you know that Landers
actually in bill OF his expenses to
the committee. Governor Hendricks
sense of propriety and decency was
severely shocked at Landers littleness.
l do not want to give you the amount
Of Mr.. Landers' contribution to our
last disasterous campaign. Suffice it
to say it wasn't by any means what he
had led US to expect. "
Are there any other notable blum
ders 2 F."
Yes; General Hancock's letter on
the rebel claims and the rebel debt
was bad, 1t was unnecessary, super
auous and neither expected nor want
ed in Indiana. 1t took away an issue
from the democrats that they could
work with profit. The Fourteenth
amendment is an umsurmountable bar
rier to anything of the kind and the
people were not frightened about rebel
claims 10 the least. The republicans
then dropped that line of attack and
took up the question of tariff, which
the democratic platform had very un
wisely left open. The question has
been cleverly handled and has done
more than anything else toward beat
ing us. myself am free trader,and
always have been"
Now, be careful" said the ropor-
ter, I'm going to give this in an in
terview."
Il don't care; Tn never going to
run for anything again"
We'll, how about Illinois?'
"0b, that state is gone, but / think
if we had carried Indiana Trumbull
would have been elected. There's no
chance for him now. I'll say one
thing more. You are going to have
an excellent good fellow in the man
who takes myplace DR.. Il. r. Hawn
is thoroughly capable and will make a
good officer. Hes a newspaper man
as am, and as he leaves the sanctum
to take this place, | leave to again as
suma tho tripod