The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-16
A FIGHT FOR A NOMINATION
A Stubborn Contest Among the Demo-
Gratis of the Third District.
StOckslager Defeated on the Five Hundred
and SeYenty-First Ballot by Howard
Judge Lowry RenOminated.



the Third congressional district met here to-day
for the purpose of nominating candidate Tor
Congress to succeed Hon. S. NJ Stockslager.
The faithful assembled in large numbers last
night and.crowds came in on the morning trains.
The fight for the nomination which has been in
progress for about two years, with gradually in
creasing intensity had developed much feeling
and bitter rivalry. AS the district is Demo
cratic by about 5000 majority a nomination is
equivalent to an election Mr. Stockslager, the
present fiery incumbent, went into the race
handicapped for in speech at New Albany, dur
ing his last canvass, he said that he would be
content with second election, and after the
expiration of this term he would willingly be
relegated to that calm seclusion and comparative
obscurity with which Harrison county sur
rounds even her most prominent men. In spite
of this promise, however, Mr.. Stockslager be-
gan work on his fences long before the frost was
out of the ground. Hon. Jason B. Brown,
State senator for jackson county, has made
most vigorous and aggressive canvass, and
Jonas G. Howard, of Clarke, who
has done but little work, had the
support of the better element of his party, for
he had no political record and was rich. State
Senator Voyles, of Washington county, was also
o candidate, and Charles L. Jewett, of Floyd,
went around with his Websterian brow unpro-
tected by political lightning-rod All of these
gentlemen have been here for two days with
headquarters at the hotels and saloons, and an
astonishing amount of log rolling and fixing has
been done There was a direct intimation of
this in the speech of DR.. Wolf, of Harrison, in
nominating Stockslager in which he said that
his delegation did not propose to use any dishon-
orable means to make their candidate succeed,
and they did not propose to allow others
TO use such methods to defeat him. Before the
convention it was the general opinion that
either, Howard or Brown would he nominated, or,
if the fight between them became TOO bitter,
then dark horse, presumably Jewett. might
be rung in.
The convention was called to order at 1870
o'clock in the town hall which was packed to the
walls, by Joseph L. Reilly, chairman of the
congressional committee, who stated the basis
of representation. For permanent chairman;
Colonel Tuley, of New Albany, nominated Major
James Y. Kelso, of Floyd county who was unan-
imously elected. In taking his seat, Mr.. Kelso
made the customary acknowledgement of the
compliment, and said that they had met there as
Democrats for the purpose of performing great
duty to the party-that of placing in the line of
battle one of the commanders Of the grand army
that was to sweep over the country in Novem-
Der, carrying all the forts and strongholds of the
enemy. In July, he trusted, the Democrats
would meet in national convention to select the
great captain of their salvation. Mr.. Kelso's
asn, although he evidently had intentions in
that direction. and the business was proceeded
with by selecting Lincoln Dixon, of North Vernon,
az principal secretary, and Ed Fitzpatrick. of
Jacksonville, and Mr.. Gorton, of Harrison
county as assistants. The appointing of com
mittees on credentials and resolutions was dis
pensed with and the placing of candidates in
nomination was begun.
THE oRATORICAL CONTEST.
In placing in nomination Mr.. Howard, Hon.
George H. D. Gibson, "the gentleman from
kentucky" said: "Some time in every mans
life the opportunity is presented to him of show
ing his admiration and regard for some one who
has been his friend. So, likewise, on occasions
like the present the opportunity presents itself
for county or district to show its regard for
ests. In behalf of Clarke county, present to
this convention man who for thirty years has
, been Democrat becaus he believed in Democ-
racy and has had reason for the faith that was III
him. He has always been Jealous patriot in
the Democratic cause, and has been foremost in
many gallant political contests. l present him
toyou as a man who is here at the solicitation of
his friends-not of his own choice-a modest and
unassuming gentleman, who is not a profess
sional politician, but is statesman, a par
Humanitarian. an excellent lawyer, and an honest
man. l nominate Hon. Jonas G. Howard, of
Clarke"
DR.. J. T, Shields, of Seymour, in modest lit
tic speech, nominated Jason B. Brown who, he
said, needed no introduction to representatives
of party for which he had done so much.
Mr. John A. Zoring, of Washington, named
Hon. s. B. Voyles, whom he complimented as
being honest, upright and competent brave
soldier, and man who had made his way in the
world by his own exertlons"
Dr.. II. S. Wolf, of Harrison county, in NOM
mating Mr. Stockslager, said that no other young
Democrat who represented district in Congress
had made brighter record or had written his
name higher on the scroll of fame than had Mr.
5tookslager, who was man of brain, of heart,
possessing all that energy, and force, and vim
that would make itself felt and respected. The
people had in him one who had represented them
faithfully and honestly, and his claims were
most deserving
THE BALLoTINu.
The first ballot was then ordered and resulted
as follows:
COUNTIES. Brown. now Voyles Stoek
Crawford.
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