The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-06
LEGISLATIVE GOSSIP.
A Few Members and a Large Number
of Candidates ON the Ground.
Full List Of Those Who Are Seeking
Places In the LegisIature-The
Lone Republican.

The interest centering in the several con-
tests for positions in the coming Legislature
reached fever heat yesterday, and the candi-
dates and their hackers were on the ground
in full force, every one apparently confident
of winning an easy victory aud
reaching the acme of his present aspi-
rations. The Hobbies of the Grand and Bates
were crowded during the afternoon and
evening, and as fast es a Representative or
Senator elect arrived he was bu~tton-holed
and soon steered off to the candidates
rooms, where he was most cordially received.
Tn candidates and members arrived are
about the same in number, and each reaches
the neighborhood of fifty. So far both
classes are confined to Democrats, the Re-
pdblicans realizing that this is not their
time to vote or be voted tor effectively.
To hear the candidates tell it, each one Is
leading his opponent by astonishing odds,
but when the members themselves are
sounded they confess that their future &C.
ton may be governed by circumstances and
may change should the conditions upon
which il is Dredicated undergo change. So
far there has been no effort at form
Ing q combination, and a number of
the candidates declare that such an
attempt will be met and exposed
and these few brought into discredit when
ever 1t appears. They all claim to be run
ming upon individual merit, and declare
that the section from which a man comes
has nothing whatever to do with his fitness
or uDfitness for the position to which ne as
pires. The candidates are mingling freely
with each other, and chatting socially with
their friends; but the appearance of q men,
Der is sufficient at any time to call away
their attention and stop in the
middle OF a sentence to shake
hands. The fact is patent that the
candidates are on a strain, and it is no un-
common question TO hear asked in the lob.
bies: "Are there any new candidates for my
positionF' The multiplicity of candidates
makes it impossible TO prognosticate with
any degree OF certainty as to who the win
ners Will be, and it can only be said that
some gentlemen who are very s~anguine now
are doomed to disappointment IN the end.
The candidates are all men of reputa-
ton and influence in their respective Sec
tons, and there is not one but is backed by
a delegation of friends who will lose no op-
portunity to impress upon the members the
superior qualifications of the favorite. TIE
fact that each comes 80 ably seconded by his
home friends, speaks we'll for the candidates
il il does nothing more.
Hon. David S Gooding has rooms both at
the Grand and the Bates, and his %headQuar-
tiers we're thronged with visitors during the
afternoon and evening. He expresses
great confidence in the result of his canvass
for the Speakership, and is certainly con-
Quoting his canvass with his usual energy.
Hons. Il. ID. McMullen and w. w. Brown
friends among the arrivals, and they will go
before the aucus with no small element OF
strength. Hon. Charles Jewett was ex-
pected last night, but ne failed to put in an
appearance till a very late hour, and
this morning, it Is said, the Speakership
@-,H.A nil $500 = A---A III
all the gladiat0rs in the field. The quartet
thus groomed and entered possesses CON-
bined talent, energy and efficiency, and the
caucus can not make q mistake, no matter
which of the gentlemen is selected. 1t can
not now be said that either has developed
strength above his rival, and among the
members now on the ground each has his
warm personal friends and enthusiastic
supporters. Nelson G. Smith, of Henry
county, is conducting the Bates House can
ysss of Mr.. Gooding, and he is said to be an
astute politician, and well versed in the
method OF winning men to his way of think
ing. He was the Democratic nominee for
Congress in the Sixth District against Tom
Brown. Hon. Eph. Marsh, of Greenfield, ia
also here in Gooding's interest.
Indianapolis will be modest in her re.
quests, and her Senators and Representatives
Will ask but one position in each BODY.
They have agreed TO present the name OF Ed
Wells for Doorkeeper of the Senate, snd Joe
Tanning for Assistant Clerk of the House.
In conversation with q Marion County mem
her last evening he said that the members
elect held a meeting, and agreed TO support
these men for the positions indicated, aud
they were prepared to wo-K for outside
candidates in that direction, which would
give the greatest aid to Tanning and
Wells. The member claimed that Marion
County having, as it has, the capital within
its borders, is very moderate in its demands,
80 L. -@E 80 -.A -
result in the caucus. There are several
counties to hear from, and many of them
have candidates of their own. Whether
they will concede these two Offices to the
capital county is a question which yet re-
mains to be settled.
evening, mingling freely with the throng
that filed the lobby. He has taken rooms
at the Bates. and, though no longer q candi-
date, is keeping 'apen house" to his friends.
1t is understood that the Inauguration cere-
monies will take place on Monday at EGG
lish's Opera House, but the arrangements are
not yet perfected.
This Republicans do not appear to be dis
tressed in the matter of selecting officers to
be voted for on Thursday. In fact, the Re-
publican office seeker Is almost unknown to
the hotel Hobbies. William NJ. Copeland, of
inee for Speaker, having served In
the last Legislature, snd being known
to have aspirations in that direction. He
is described as one Of the many Republicans
who has not yet learned that the war is
over, and continues to regard Democrats as
being In league with the Rebellion. AS the
honor is an empty one, and will no doubt 90
for the asking, Mr.. Copeland will in all prob
ability be the nominee for Speaker.
The following list comprises all the can
didates upon the ground with the respective
offices to which they aspire:
r. A. A--- -
Jewett. of Floyd County; David s. Gooding,
of Hancock; II. D.. McMullen, of Dearborn;
w. w. Browning. OF Brown; Samuel w.
Williams, of Knox.
Principal Clerk, of the House-H. @. OAR
nall, of Putnam; Joseph Armstrong, of
C,op1or. Tomoo ~ CARLTON nf aurauCo.