The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-24
CONGRESSMAN STEELE.
His Views Upon the Speakership and Upon
the Next Presidential Election.


the Next Presidential Election.
Interview in Chicago Times
Congressman George W. Steele is the Re-
publican member from the Eleventh dis
trict of Indiana, who is said to represent the
largest district in the United States as to the
number of votes. There are 5000 voters in
the Eleventh, which, on the basis of five per-
sons TO voter, represents over 100000 peo-
pie. The size of the district is attributed to
gerrymandering in the apportionment Con-
gresham Steele has just returned from
California, whence he was accompanied by
Representative James H. Bu1d, who contin-
ued on to the capital. Mr.. Steele preferred
to remain over, and will be in Washington
by Saturday week, when the Republican eau
Gus meets
''As to who will get the speakership," said
the Congressman, in conversation with a re-
porter for the Times, the question is yet too
much in doubt to make a prediction alto
gether safe. | believe myself that Carlisle
will be nominated, unless in the fight,
which appears to be very bitter one be-
tween the Kentuckian and Randall, Cox OF
New York, should step in and get the place"
"Do You believe such a thing would be
possible?'' Mr.. Steele was asked.
Il think it is very possible" he replied,
IF the fight is as strong one as il is claimed
to be. The friends of both Randall and Car
Isle are working very hard and neither
knows how he stands If Randall succeeds
in getting the nomination it will be because
Carlisle is a free-trade advocate. That will
look very much like an effort at sectional re-
vival, at least to the Southern understand
ing, and some very bitter things may grow
out of it,"
What about Keifer's nomination by the
Republicans Have you seen the letter OF
Phelps, of New Jersey?''
Eyes, l nave seen it; but don't think it
amounts to anything. In the first place, l
have never heard that Keller was a candi-
date, and in the second, and more important,
it wouldn't make a great deal of difference
if he were, and were nominated. The nomi-
nation for Speaker by the Republicans is
only an empty honor 1t can't be anything
| else, and it seems very unnecessary to make
fight about it. 1 shall vote for Keller my
| self" Mr.. Steele spoke about the presiden-
tial prospect, and said that so far as "the
old ticket" was concerned it could carry his
State.
could Joseph Mcdonald get an unbrol1en
| delegation from Indiana"
| He could if he were not opposed by Hen
bricks. Hendricks" said Mr.. Steele, "has
not acted altogether honestly in the events
| connected with the mention of McDonaid's
candidacy for President. He has been a
stumbling-block in his way. Mcdonald
chances might be better for the choice of the
Democrats if Hendrickss connection with
| the old ticket was we'll defined. He has never
| indicated, one way or the other, how he
stands. As to the nomination, no one can
say who will be the choice; but this much /
can say, that Holman stands no show !
don't think that he was party to the Sun
boom. The true inwardness of the effort was
to mix Indiana up with Hendricks, Melon
aid and Holman, and then have the nomina-
ton come from New York"
Who is going to be the choice of the Re-
publicans?"
We'll Arthur is growing very fast in pop
larity, and his friends are pointing to the
fact that anyone has yet to discover a blum
der he has made. He went into office at a
very trying period; when many of his old
friends almost charged him with being re-
sponsible for his predecessors death. He
has conducted the administration ably, if
not brilliantly, and while his attitude has
been one OF a negative character, it has at
least been safe, sure and satisfactory. 1t
would have been far otherwise with a man
like Blaine or Conkling, who would have
brought on civil war in the ADMINISTRATION
by a policy OF aggressive interference | don't
think that Logan is antagonistic to Arthur
Logan hirnsef could control large soldier
vote, but his name does not convey near the
power and safety that Arthurs does"