St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-23
M'DONALD AND HENDRICKS.
The Former Takes up the Gauntlet SO Cav
alierly Thrown Down by the Latter.

The Former Takes up the Gauntlet SO Cav
alierly Thrown Down by the Latter.
Special to the Globe.
WASHINGTON, March 22.-The political
situation in Indiana is undergoing an inter
esting change that promises to decide the
supremacy of Hendricks or Mcdonald. Mr.
Hendricks has walked all over Mcdonald
weeks and Mcdonald has meeklv
submitted in order to avoid a breach in the
party, which might endanger the interests OF
the whole party in the state and probably in
the nation. Mcdonald was loyal to him in
1880 at the sacrifice of his own interests, but
in 1884 Hendricks had two strings to his
bow, and successfully man9vered to get his
name on the ticket Mcdonald and his
friends could overlook this treacherv, but
when Hendricks eXerted himself to keep
Mcdonald out of the cabinet. and went so
far as to circulate the story that there was
something in McDonalds family relations
that would make it. undesirable for
him to be placed in po-
sition where social duties that
pertain to the high station must be
dischal ged, the last straw had been added
to the bu1deu Of indignity inflicted by his
rival. Mcdonald intends to accept the issue
which has been thrust upon him and viii
hereafter contend in fair and open field for
the leadership of Indiana Democrats. He
came TO Washington accompanied by promi-
nent citizens of that state who seemed
to have acted as his escort chiefly for the
purpose of emphasizing before the country
what they claim to be fact, that Mcdonald
is really the favorite son of Indiana, and the
leader whom they would honor in preference
to all others if the voice Of the DEM
ocrats of that state could be heard.
While here, Mcdonald received marked at
teutions from public men, and dined with
President Cleveland, upon whom he called
soon after his arrival. He was consulted
about public affairs, and the president had
an opportunity to form an estimate of his
merits as a man Of large exper-
ieuce, practical wisdom and great
individuality The mission to St.
Petersburg was rendered and pressed
upon him, but all preferment un der the ap-
pointing power was firmly and courteously
declined and Mcdonald returned to Indiana
to lay the foundation Of his election to the
senate as the successor of Ben Harrison.
The most important feature of his visit was
the studied manner in which he ignored
the existence OF Hendricks, upon whom it
was naturally expected he would call merely
to pay his respects to the vice president.
This studied slight TO the most distinguished
citizen of his own state is regarded as a no
tice 10 Hendricks that hereafter Mcdonald
will look out for his own political interests in
Ir diana, no matter how much they nay con-
fict with those of Hendricks Hendricks
wants Gov. Gray to come to the senate and
his influence will be eXerted in his sup
port. Success in that would give
Hendricks political power in Indiana
and make him potential quantity in
the contest for the presidential nomination.
His plans will be supported by the older
members of the party who possess great
responsibility and much influence, but do
nothing more than to vote with conscien-
tous regularity Mr.. Holman will be found
favorlug the nomination of GRAY for the sem
ate, as against Mr.. Mcdonald, but his
own eye Is turned toward that coveted posi-
ton, and in the political whirl of the next
two years he may be thrown on top instead
of either GRAY or Mcdonald, but his advance
meut would be the work of Hendricks and
his followers. Mcdonald is far past middle
age, but his supporters are young and pro-
gressive Democrats, aud there are indica-
tious that his following will be greatly in
creased by the feeling that Hendricks, in
spite of the demand of his friends, has self
ishly sacrificed Mcdonald when every
consideration of good faith and gem
erous rivalry should have led him
to aid in advancing him. The
treatment he has received has opened vein
of sympathetic interest in the fortunes of
Mcdonald even among Indianians who
have steadily followed the fortunes
of Hendricks, and from them he
will acquire fast friends. Dan Voorhees,
is on the fence, but he will not remain there
long after the contest opens between the
other two leaders in Indiana politics He
admires Mcdonald and respects Hendricks.
He worked hard in the struggle to carry the
state for Hendricks, and harder still
to get Mcdonald into the cabinet. It
would have been a grand thing for
voorhees, to have had so firm foothold upon
which 10 have claims for patronage for him
self and friends. Hendricks has influence
with the administration, rs his defeat of
McDouald's cabinet operations has dem
oustrated, but that influence can
be Of comparatively little benefit
to Voorhees,. He would probably prefer Nc
Donald to 6ray as q colleague in the senate
GRAY is like himself, at least in respect to
volubility and forcibility of expression on
the stump and in debate. Mcdonald re-
seInbles Hendricks in that be has 4 poor
voice aud is not always an agreeable
speaker.