The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-03
POLITICAL POINTERS.
Mr.. Keifer Spots Blunder in the Democratic
PlatfOrm-"Gawges Circular.
9rrespondenco of the Indianapolis journal.


days ago, during a Republican rally al
College Corner, on the Ohio State line, enjoyed
the honor of dining in company with several
distinguished gentlemen, among whom were ex-
Speaker Keller, General Thos H. Nelson, OF
Terre Haute; General Kennedy, of Belefontaine,
o.; Colonel William c. Wilson, of Lafayette;
Hon. j. j. Spann, of Rushville, and Hon j. N.
Huston, of this city.
Among other political topics mooted at the
table, the Democratic national platform came up
for general comment and ventilation. Presently
General Keifer remarked that it was not gener-
| ally known among either Democrats or Repub-
icans that the great Democratic "quadrennial
oracle adopted at Chicago, July 0, 1884, after
thirtysix hours of parturient agony and sus-
pense, contained at least one ridiculous error of
history.
Il speak from memory" said the General
| out you will all remember the clause in the
platform which declares in favor of free ballot;
and you will also recollect that this declaration
| was promptly apologized for-apparently to
| appease the solid South-in the clause following
in which the convention resolves a vote of
thanks to the Forty sixth Congress for passing
bill forbidding the interference of national
| troops at the polls election days.
| Nov, gentlemen, happened to be a member
OF that august body, and positively assert that
no such bill ever became law during the ses-
| sion of the Forty -sixth or any other Congress
since the war. I recall, however, the action of
the Democratic members in the session of 1879,
when persistent attempt was made by them to
pass bill making it penal offense for officers
OF the United States army to employ their
troops In any police capacity whatsoever at the
polls on election days; and the Congressional
record Will show you that after a hundred
6n nsilv Fq naningg f Rt the bill was
promptly vetoed by President Hayes. And that
was practically the end of it. So, you see, our
Democratic friends at Chicago, in their eager
ness 10 truckle, as OF old to their Southern mas
ters committed blunder that robs their latest
oracle of the grace of inspiration If any docu-
ment under the sun should approach the Bible
ana constitution. IN accuracy OF statement it is
national platform; and yet here is one whose
leading plank is nailed to falsehood, officially
promulgated as fact
Mr.. keifer alluded to this blunder in his ad-
dress, that afternoon, but as the speech was not
reported, and as have not seen the discrepancy
noVlced IN the papers, give it to the journal for
what it is worth
Major John W. Ross, postmaster of Corners
vile, told me Saturday that he received, quite |
rec recently one OF George William Curts's circu-
lar ouils to postmasters, containing the usual |
stereotyped warnings bristlng with statutory
threats, provisions, penalties, starred sections.
etc. N'
What do you think of it," said l.
Think of it" exclaimed the Major, "Whv. I |
think 1t piece of efrontery that has no parallel
IN the annals of cheek, though don't DENY that
the perpetrator has his likeness in the rogues'
gallery.
In the first place, George W. Curtis assumes
o ms flourish of statute quotations. that we
postmasters are all ignorant of the law This is
prazen enough; but he adds insult to insoence !
I'M attn 49,
prosecution in case of non-compliance-as
though we were lot of suspects and he a
goVcrnme mt detective employed to Shadow US
But the checklist of all his assumptions is that
reformer
Less than four months ago sat in the Re
publican national convention at CHICAGO and
neard this whlted sepulcher' denounce the Dem
'crauc party as a conspiracy for spoils' and :
1ow-in the sole interest of this confessedly cor
'upt and dangerous organzation-he writes me
letter warning me, befor> the act that if [ r
,dIe contribute any money toward the defeat of
MS conspiracy, he and his little squad of cor
mel" wa prosecute
My first impulse continued the Major,
upon receiving that circular, was to incose it +
q an envelope and return it to George William II
nth note, informing him that did not wish t
. ada to the temptations of official patronage h
ne sin OF corresponding with renegade dudes =
ma mercenary hypocrites, who make personal u
P'N Aor JOlulllR pOlltlcal c0nSDlraCleS a
Tor spolls. But when reflected that George >,
VILLAIN Curtis must have wholly renowned his
onsclence before bartering his service to the y
ond oouth decided not to waste any sta \
on cry on him. You might as we'll try to 81
1n." '--' :" '4uiiV OF
thought Major Ross was right about it. and IA
, dld not mar his neat little summary by an W
tempt to add to or subtract from it,
L accidentally picked up another pointer "
ME conVerslng with all intelligent Democrat ~
e other day, which may interest many of the ~ ~
,urnals readers, especially those who may of IL
10 nave unwlttlngly lent their aid in circulat-
g the SentiRels vile SANDER on Mrs Blaine
may likewise slightly interest some of the
)urbon supporters of the Sentinel to learn that of
e chief writer for the Sentinel is professed 70
bile. - ''-'' A'0 rs
ms information was incidentally obtained. as IN
ald, IRON Democrat, and as its publication a
IS not forbidden and the fact is possibly al Yc
ady we'll known. l give it as l heard it, L..
While at Shelbyville, the other dav.n said ~,
Democratic friend, Il met Mr. Wilson who W
as the editorial work on the Sentinel HeiI9 1of
ood ana interesting genius; and by the way. ny ny
lntry?' snip stoctn s2eAta the
Perhaps he is like Byron when hsw petepuneH fRs
sn-a MINOR, l suggested % y5sidW b5ansd1 ppl
NO, SAID my friend, "he is anboadAstagerpd ..
knows a heap about politics. hBbl the fhetis n.
is and always has been an iraperiaiist,ih senys I
lent and, having no fattfrp bur insti#rti6hs,A 10,
Ks for the speedy decineTof this RepusIic!S35q nf
Possibly" said ''thatffct accounts for his y
erjc"n hatred of Mr. BLAINE Who u pan
L can say was theigegIYJ 600 SIS qs59H- Jer
nd as
The Truth Hurts Mr., III en- tlriqks.3I.J0J thr
neapohs Tffsune1 .oSl N61 .b9r Z .dI-tasd21 the
is not li9s which are told abouf HIM; b it the VIII
oxions truth. that Jnakes men 6despise Kim It'll
that leads thousands voters who snpport sho
ysland TO say frankly that there was anvil rail