The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-27
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
The Mcdonald Boom in shelby County.


TO the Editor of the Indianapolis Journai;
The attempt having been made to create
an impression abroad that the Democracy of
old Shelby had as the boys would say, gone
back on its favorite son." Thomas A. Hen
bricks, 1 ask the privilege, as Democrat, to
correct the falsehood through the Journal,
and tell just how much there is of the
Mcdonald boom, which can be quickly and
briefly done, as there is but very little Of it.
1t should be known there are two DEM
ocratic papers here-the Volunteer and
Democrat The latter was last fall repu-
dated by the Democracy, and to deprive it
of the official patronage and also rebuke and
set down upon its self-styled managing
editor" one Scott w. Ray. The sheet,
il will be readily observed was without
mission. The shock was so sudden, so UNI
expected and so stunning, that the ''manaS-
ing editor" actually became sober, and those
who profess to know, assert that he re-
manned in that unusual condition for at least
twenty-four hours, but there is a differ
ence of opinion on this point but we don't
suppose a few hours more or less is material
to the facts in question.
Now it is essential that a paper should
have mission of some kind and in time
the managing editor" OF the repudiated
Democrat realized this fact, and conceived
the idea that if he could start a Mcdonald
boom, and it should materalize in the nomi-
q nation and election of its object, he, the
managing editor" would be big injn,"
and could modestly claim big Office as rec
ompense for his Influence.
But the boom died borning,"
The elaborate editorials which be
had procured some one who
has brains to prepare, fell unheeded and
elected no enthusiastic response, notwith-
standing as is averred, he printed a large
number of extra copies and mailed them to
those Democrats who had stopped his paper,
and also to a large number of Democratic
papers in this and other States, the articles
duly marked and the accustomed request in
large bold hand on the margin with a red
pencil ''please copy"
But there was no response The Democracy
of the county neither rushed in by the score
to embrace him as the originator of a boom
that was destined to swamp the country, nor
did the Democratic press respond to the
"please copy" request worth a cent. The
affair was received by the Democracy in the
city here with a smile or a sneer, and occa-
sionally gave rise to few comments at their
places of resort .,-
of the Mcdonald boom in Shelby, which
creates no alarm among the friends of Mr..
Hendricks, and brings neither strength nor
credit to Mr.. Mcdonald, who is justly
highly respected by the Democracy
of this county; but they will not
tolerate him nor any other man to stand be-
tween them and their choice. For years the
Democracy of this county have fairly idol
lied tom" as he is Familiarity called, and
will never cease urging him for the highest
position within the gift of the people while
he lives, and as some paper remarked a while
since they would rather see him even Vice
president than Mcdonald President.
But there is always a motive in every
scheme and the real sequel of this attempted
Mcdonald boom is, that the Ray family has
a grievance against Mr.. Hendricks in this:
When he was elected Governor the two elder
boys the family, it will be remembered then
resided in Indianapolis conceived the idea
that either of them possessed the requisite
intellectual adornments to fit them for the
position OF private secretary. The fact was
brought to the attention of the Governor,
but he was unable to see 1t as plainly as
themselves and declined to be convinced.
This construed slight has ever since ranked
in the breast of Scotty and his brother and
it is well-known fact that he has never
mentioned Mr.. Hendricks name in his pa
per when it could possibly be avoided, and
never in connection with any commenda-
ton. He finally hit upon the idea that if a
boom for Mcdonald could be started in old
Shelby it could easily be made to appear
abroad that the Democracy in Mr.. Hen
dricks's old home had gone back" on him;
that of course would loose him the State and
preclude the possibility of his even enter
ing the national convention. So you see
official cupidity and revenge went hand in
hand in the proposed boom that never
materialiZed. JUSTICE.
SHELBYvILLE, June %