The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-06
STATESMEN CONGREGATING.
Determined Efforts Made to Combine
Against Jewett for the Speakership.
Fhe Friends Of the Smaller Fry Struggling
fer Their Favorites-Personal Men
ton and Gossip of the Hobbies.

and as the gathering grew the interest and
anxiety increased correspondingiy. The states.
men who are to fill a starring engagement
during the next three months in the Hoosier
Capitol in statuesque and statutory acting and
e~nacting are coming in from ali parts of the
woods. and they are followed by a-ninnumerable
horde Of ofice-seekers.
The active work of fixing things for the or
ganization of the Senate and House began yes
terday. Nearly all the candidates were in the
city early in the day, with the exception
of Jewett and a few of the seekers
for the less prominent positions. The
drift of the talk about the Grand Hotel and the
Bates House, where most of the legislators are
stopping, was most favorable to Gooding for
Speaker last night, and some very effective
work was done for him by his friends, of whom
he has a large lumber in the city. Although
Gooding himself is an ineffective worker as a
candidate, he is being vigorously sup
ported by many of the old, Influential
politicians. The contest, it is conceded,
lies between Jewett and Gooding, with a popular
feeling in favor of the former which the latter is
striving to overcome. OF the five candidates who
are now in the contest, it is believed that Jewett
has a majority Of the votes, but it is pretty GER
tain that 5efore the canvas is held, to- morrow
evening, combinations will be made which will
leave the vote to be divided between two instead
of FIVE candidates, and those two-Jewett
and Gooding-with relative strength in the order
named. Hugh McMullen, of Dearborn county,
thinks his chances are equally as favorable as
those of his two Leading opponents. "I do not
think said Mr.. McMullen to a journal reporter
last night, that the difference in the strength
of Jewett. Gooding and myself is worth the flip
of q copper. I'll be elected, | believe,
from present indications" Williams. of Vim
eennes, and Browning, of Brown county, are
net given much consideration, and are scarcely
mentioned in the general talk about the contest
for the speakership except III the enumeration
of the candidates for the position. Williams, 1T
is well understood, entertains no kindly feelings
towards Jewett, and it is said he will endeavor
to throw his support to Gooding. 1t is expected
that MeMullen and Browning will be influenced
to do the same. 1t is doubtful, however. wheth-
err or not this combination will embrace
a sufficient number os votes to defeat
the young man from Floyd. The fight against
him, however, is bitter. The older politicians
who are taking any interest," in the contest are
working against him. 1t is charged that he is
not o thorough Democrat; that he weakened
twice during the last session of the Legislature
on the determined policy of the party; that he
is in favor of an additional State-house appro-
priation; and that he is a young man;
4HCOC ODJCOLAOn0 law OCGh
with some effect Among those who
were eonspicuously active last night in
their opposition to him were John j. Cooper. the
Treasurer of State, and Jason b. Brown, of Sey-
mour. Jewetts defeat, it is said, would be
especially gratifying to Brown, who remembers
with displeasure several unkindly thrust by the
young man from Floyd" from which his politi-
cal fortunes have suffered, Jewett did not
arrive in the city until after Ill o'clock last night,
and it will require active work for him to re
cover all that he has lost from the damaging
charges that have beenmade against him during
his absence.
There are six candidates for door keeper of the
House, namely: Henry r. Frye, of Grant
county; VIM. M. Neal, of Johnson; John Scott.
OF Jackson; M. L. Thompson. of Bartholomew;
b. Gabriel, of Marion. and Seal, of Fountain.
Frye, who was door-keeper during the last SEES
sion, is an active and successful worker, and,
with the certainty of the Speaker being from the
southern part of the State it seems, as he claims,
that the chances for his election are most favor
able; but Neal and Scott are formidable onpo-
nentS
FL. c. Darnal1, of Greencastle, is foremost, at
the present time, in the contest for the clerk
ship, while his most formidable opponents are
Joe Armstrong, of Spencer county,, and Max
Dembufsky, OF Goshen. The other candidates
are j. c. Carlton. of Lawrence, and VIM. S.
Kiser, Of Noble. The indications arc decidedly
favorable to Darnall. but there is a probability
that Armstrong will develop unexpected
strength.
The candidates for assistant clerk of the house
are j. I. Tanning. of indianapolis: Charles E.
Crawley, of Sullivan; w. III, Whitworth, of
Posey, and w. NJ. Welborn, of Evansville. 1t
seems to be taeitly understood that Marion
county will be given the position of assistant
clerk, and as Mr.. Tanning has been Endorsed by
the Indianapolis representatives he will doubt
less be elected. John W. Tindall, Of this city,
who was a candidate for the position, has with
drawn.
A prominent member of the House from a
northern county expressed the opinion to a
Journal reporter last night that the caucus nom
nations would be:
For speaker--David S. Gooding. of Hancock
county.
For Neutrality-suspicious. Scott, of jackson.
For Clerk-H. G. Darnall. of Putnam.
For Assistant Clerk. I. Tanning, of Ma
rion.
The aforesaid prominent member is also au-
thority for the information that combinations
are being made by which most of the other can
aidates for the different offices will be given
subordinate positions.
It seems altogether probable, however, from
the indications, that some of the candidates who
are named in the foregoing slate will be more
likely to take subordinate positions. The lapse
of thirty-six hours before the holding of the
caucus is quite likely to bring about some great
changes in the situation.
The candidacy of joe Riley, secretary of the
Democratic State committee, for secretary
of the Senate is meeting with rather
formidable opposition from A. j. Kelley,
Oh ISrre Haute, VINO hcld the position Two years
ago. 1t is rather remarkable that nearly all of
the Office holders Of the last Legislature are
seeking re election this time. Eb Henderson,
the chairman of the State committee, Is working
for Riley, and it is urged that he is entitled to
the position as a reward for his political work.
FL. c.. Huffstetter, of Lawrence county, is a
candidate fer reelection TO the position of as
sistant secretary. Senator Willard is the
'bead and 'front.' of his support, and
It Is probable that he will be elected.
although w. NJ. Moss, eiitor of the Bloomfield
Democrat, is confident that he will be the choice
of the caucus. He has the support of the Dem
ocFatic press, and it is claimed that he is emit
tied to the position as a reward for his services
to the party. Fl. II. Shaffrey, of Logansport. a
brother.in-law of Supreme Court Clerk Sheerin.
and j.. c. Payne, of Marion, are seeking the
same position.
There are six candidates for door keeper of the
Senate, but the two whose chances seem to be