The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-18
THE COMING CONVENTION.
Delegates and Candidates Assembling
Here in Considerable Numbers.
Judge Greshem Declines To Be a Candidate
for GOyernOr-The Talk About the
HOtels-NOtes and Personalities.

trains which came in yesterday and last night
Throughout the afternoon and evening the
Grand Hotel, where the candidates have their
headquarters was thronged with a shifting mass
of men, buzzing with political talk
With the exception of Col Dudley, who
did not arrive until 1890 o'clock last night
the candidates were all hard at work. moving
around through the crowd and shaking hands.
THE GRESHAM BOOM.
There was no marked change in the situation,
however, except in the attempt during the after
noon to start a boom for Postmaster-general
Gresham for Governor. The report was circu-
lated that Robert Stlatson, OF Fort Wavne, who
arrived during the morning, had received a letter
from General Gresham, in which he
stated that it was his intention to return
to indianapolis as soon as he retired from the
Presidents Cabinet, to engage in the practice of
law and he then might take some part in poll
tics The report that such letter had been re-
ceived started the talk about his availability
candidate, and upon the strength of it several of
his friends began earnestly working for him. Mr.
Stratton denied having received any such letter
himself. However, John Hayden, of Fort
Wayne, it is said, wrote to General Gresham
ten days or more ago and asked him if he would
accept the nomination for Governor. In his
reply to this question General Gresham said
substantially, "The field is already pretty well
occupied, and it might be a little fresh to in
troduce new candidate, but after
retiring from Office at Washington
intend to return to Indiana and
then take some part in politics" Giving
this letter liberal Interpretation, Mr.. Stratton
and other of Gresham's friends believed that it
implied that he desired the nomination. There
fore, they started what was called the Gresham
BOOM The effect of it was to cause more sur
prise than anything else, and the greatest inter
est manifested was in trying to learn upon
what authority his name was being used
The current question that ran through the crowd
was, ''What is there in this Gresham boomln and
with the exception of the few who had the matter
in hand the talk was almost wholly in the ma
ture of inquiry. General Gresham stated posi-
lively, no longer ago than last Saturday, that he
was not candidate, that he did not desire the
nomination, and if 1T should be Of
fered him he would refuse it. This
assurance was given Major Calkins
by General Gresham himself and the
garded as unauthorized and indiscreet.
THE OTHER CANDIDATES.
Calkins had the field wholly to himself yester-
day, and it gave him the advantages to be gained
by meeting the delegates. He has cordial way
of making stranger feel like an old old ac-
quairtance that draws friends to him, and he
unquestionably gained strength yesterday. He
will have strong support from many of the
southern counties, and his nomination is re-
garded by his friends as certain. Dudley has
lost much that he might have gained by
not being on the ground early, and his friends
were less hopeful, last night, than they were on
the previous evening. The friends that Calkins
gained yesterday will be of great aid to him
among the delegates who arrive to day. and it
will be difficult to overcome the advantages
which he now has. His support is solid, and
cannot be easily drawn from him. The friends
of Dudley manifest some disappointment over
his failure to arrive during the day yesterday,
as was expected, but his presence to-day will
probably inspire more hope and rally his sup
porters The day may change the aspect of the
situation some but it is not likely to change it
materially There is no speculation on the
number of ballots that will be required to reach
a nomination, but it is believed that the con-
test will not be a prolonged one.
THE PLATFORM.
There will be no unnecessary waste of time
in the proceedings of the convention The per
manent organization will be effected immedi-
ately after the call of the roll and Hon. Stanton
]. Peelle will probably be chosen chairman
Governor Porter positively refuses to
act as presiding officer, and, in the talk
yesterday the name of Mr.. Peelle was
the only one mentioned. The committee on
resolutions it is said, will report reaffrmation
IF 1y1a tad
an additional clause denouncing the last Legisla-
ture, together with an Endorsement of Governor
Porter and his administration. Hon. r. W.
Thompson who will come to the convention as a
delegate from Vigo county, will probably be
made the chairman of the committee.
1t is thought the call of the roll for the
presentation of the names of candidates will be
reached Immediately after dinner, and the bal
loting will then begin. The preliminary work
will be hurried through without any loss of time
THE CONTEST FOR THE OTHER OFFICES.
The candidates all threw open their rooms at
the Grand Hotel yesterday. Shiel and Noble
have the advantage in location, as they
are situated so as to catch the crowd
both coming and going Carr and Hus-
ton have the rooms adjoining them, ana
received many visitors. Calkins has the parlors
on the third floor but he had crowd around
him throughout the day. The other candidates
received their share of attention, and during the
evening nearly. all the rooms were
crowded, Hanna, Bundy, Wilson, Oyler
and Suit the candidates for Lieuten-
ant governor were moving around through
the crowd in the hotel office during the
greater part of the time. The prospects of
the candidates for Auditor and Treasurer
were changed in no way, except that Noble grew
more hopeful as Dudley's chances grew less as
surfing. During the morning telegram was
received by w. A. B. Roberts from ex-senator
Keiser of Pulaski county, stating that he had
decided to withdraw from the race for Secretary
of State, and that he would not be here His
withdrawal will probably throw the greater part
of his strength to Silver, of Wells county, whose
prospects, in consequence, improved somewhat.
md the contest now seems to be chiefly between
him and Huston,
NOTES AND PERSONALITIES.
Thad Huston was at one time reporter on
tho Ghicao Trih,1na