The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-09
ST. JACKSON'S FOLLOWERS.
The Leading Ohio Democrats Join in
Celebrating the 9Th of January.
Judge Thurman Mildly Protests Against the
Conduct of the kids" and Commissioner
Thurman Talks of Civil Service.

with the Ohio Democracy. The leading men OF
the party from all parts of the State are here in
cident to the 9Th of January celebration. In &C
cordance with joint resolution adopted by the
General Assembly, reception was rendered
Senator-elect Payne in the House at 2:30 p. NJ,
at which the State officers, members of both
branches and visiting guests were present
Addresses of welcome were made by
Senator Ely and Representative Barger.
Senator Payne acknowledged the compliment
in quite lengthy speech, which was historical in
character, referring to some early legislation in
the State, and reviewing memories of some
of Ohios early legislation and great men.
The Ohio Democratic State Club met in con-
vention at ii A NJ, delegates not being present
in great numbers. They organized by the cleo
ton of General Durbin Ward as president; Allen
W. Thurman, vice-president; w. A. Taylor, Sec
rotary; F. j. Reinhard, treasurer, and a vice
president from each of the twenty-one districts
of the State committee Of fifty for organi-
cation and agitation was appointed, and the
committee elected the follwing officers:
Chairman, John G. Thompson; Secretary, W.
A. Taylor; Treasurer, Jao. A. Sarber. An ex-
ecutive committee of nine was appointed.
GRAYsToxE, YoNKERs, N. Y, Jan, 8.
To John G.. Thompson:
Regretting that cannot be personally present at
your banquet in honor of the hero of New Orleans.
join the Ohio Democracy il commemorating the states
man and soldier who in the language of Mr. Jeffer-
son. filled the measure of his countTy's glory"
s. j. T1LDEN.
Senator Pend!eton also sent regrets, with a
eulogy of jackson.
AT the afternoon session addresses were deliv-
cred by Judge Allen G. Thurman, Hon. L. D.
Thoman, of the Civil-service Commissions; Gen.
JAS. Denver. Hon. Samuel Cary, Gen. Durbin
Ward and others Judge Thurman, upon being
introduced by Gen. Ward spoke in substance as
follows
II congratulate you upon the successful organ
lzation of your club, and will say something to
you on the subject of political clubs. Insinua-
tons have been thrown out to the effect that the
Cleveland and Hendricks clubs in Ohio, during
the last campaign, were hostile to the organiza.
ton of the party. A man must be grossly mis-
informed to make such a charge as that One
year before became of age | was member of
jackson club, and from that time on down to
the present the State has swarmed with Demo
ratio clubs, working with intelligence in sup
port OF the good cause, and never until this year
was the charge made that they were hostile to
the interests of the party. Why should this charge
be made this yea19 Every man who will support
our principles and vote our ticket is eligible to
mem berShip in them / was over several States
in the course of the campaign, and found Cleve-
land and Hendricks clubs as thick as the shocks
of in the field, and everywhere they were do
ing work. But in Ohio it seems to be different;
and 1t is charged they were antagonizing the in
terests of the party. oh, it is miserable
charge, a miserable charge. IA voice-Johnny
Mclean did it, l don't know who made it,
but whoever did, hope re will have the scales
fall from his eyes.
tkrk
confidence in the regular organization. Whether
it is SO or not do not say word, for do not
know how that matter was but this do know:
that your regular organization, as it
was called. and notably it's chairman,
have been traduced, viified and opposed in a
manner utterly without justification. Applause
AS this is a country of free speech and free pens,
it is but natural that little discussions will mani
fest themselves from time to time. AS an ex-
ample of the utility of clubs l will cite an in
stance within my personal observation. In 1863,
against my will, the Ohio Democrats nominated
me for Governor. In 1856, the Republican ma
jority in this State~was 43, 600, and as it looked
like almost hopeless task to elect Democrat
Governor the nomination went begging and was
thrust upon me- That year we organized this
State into Democratic clubs and at the
April election we had an almost unbroken
series of Democratic triumphs, from which we
gathered inspiration for the fall election, which
we carried by about 2. 900. Would not be I'M
grateful if did not bear witness to the eff
cient work done by those elubs} But some one
may say, why keep up the clubs since Glove
land is elected, and will be inaugurated9 We
are told that eternal vigilance is the price of
liberty and you might as well tell the churches
to lock their doors and wait for some great ad-
vent of sin before they open, as tell the Demo
Gratis to disband The Democratic party Is not
through its labors; it has elected its President,
but he needs the cheering appreciation and con-
slant support of al his party to perform all the
duties of his office.
Another reason for keeping up the organiza-
ton is the fact that Ohio ought to be Demo
cratic State. We have been under the harrow
long enough; we have got from under it now,
and let us see that we keep from under it. We
can do it if we, but frown down dissension and
stand by Democratic principles Organize
everywhere, and make Ohio what she should be,
the banner Democratic State of the West Those
who know me know / never make long speech,
and furthermore they never will hear me make
a long speech. We have many men of distinc-
ton here, and it would be improper for me- re-
siding here in Columbus, to abridge them of the
time that belongs to them"
oIvIL-sERvIcE REFORM
Judge L. D. Thoman, of the Civil-service Com
mission, next introduced and spoke sub
stantially as follows:
''It is a great honor to be requested to speak
to the Democracy of Ohio upon the sentiment
''Civil-service" reform, and especially so since
was made possible by the nomination Of
Grover Cleveland. whose position on this ques
ton was so well understood, not only by his own
party, but by a very large and respectable por-
ton Of the Republican party As mayor of
Buffalo and as Governor of New York he has az
all times consulted the public welfare in the dis
charge of his duties, and believe that, with the
wisdom, prudence and caution of Jefferson,
and the firmness of a jackson. he will so admin
lister the affairs of the Nation The Democracy Of
Ohio, for the last ten years, has demanded ad-
minstrative reform. The abuses under the
spells system had grown SO rapidly and were be.
coming so rooted that public offices were no
longer regarded as public trusts, but as
rewards in the hands of designing
politicians. After the assassination Of
Garfield by persistent-ofiee seeker, public
sentiment became so aroused that Congress,
needing this popular demand, passed the present
civilservice law. Gross Misrepresentation has
been made concerning this law. in claiming that
it ia intended to keep the Republicans in Office
There is no provision in the law or the rules