The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-26
LOWRY AND KEOCGH.
Meanness of a Democratic Congressman and
His Man Friday.


Fort Wayne Ietter in Cincinnati Commercial
Gazette.
Judge Lowry has one great and consuming
ambition, and this is to be his own successor in
1856, and to this end he bends all his energies.
and makes all his appointments. His first move
of any Importance was upon the postofice That
was a nice place, and % great many of his
constituents were DESTROYS of dropping into it.
The incumbent was Mr. KEEL, an old soldier, and
one of the editors of the Fort Wayne Gazette.
He had made an excellent officer and there
was no diSSatis faction with mis- administration,
but he had to be removed to make room for
Democrat. The charges were prepared under
the supervision of Congressman Lowry, and
filed with the department. What they
one knows to this day, but Lowry and the man
who signed them. 1t was easy enough
to get Kiel out, but to decide upon his sue
cessor was another thing. Among the
applicants was F. ?. Randall, better known as
the War Mayor of Fort Wayne. Mr.. Randall
is a most excellent citizen, and stands among the
best. To him Lowry was under peculiar obliga-
TONS such obligations as should have command
ed any thing in his power, to grant When the
Judge first came to this place he was poor boy
houseless homeless, friendless. Mr.. Randall
took him into mis- Office, gave him helping hand
and started him on the way to success All the
success he has had in life he owes to Randall. /
find this to be the universal verdict among the
people here. Those who knew all tho circum-
stances expected that Lowry would make his old
friend and patron postmaster, and they denounce
him as an migrate because he did not do so. He
solemnly pledged himself to make the recon-
mendation. but when the time came flew the
track and nominated William Keough.
A few words are necessary to introduce this
gentleman with peculiar name, and to properly
introduce him - little history must be recalled.
During the campaign of 1876, James Ct. Blaine
and General John A. Logan were to speak here.
An immense concourse of people gathered to
hear them. While the meeting was in progress
a gang of Democratic roughs formed upon the
outskirts of the meeting and organized effort
was made to howl down the Republican speak
ers. The disturbance grew great while
General Logan was speaking that his voice could
hardly be heard. Finally, during lull in the
uproar, the gallant old hero Numbered forth. IF
those scoun6rels will only wait until l get
through will go over there and whip every
mothers son Of them" The leader of that gang
of roughs was one William Keough.
Again. in 1884, James G.. Blaine visited this
place. The date of the visit and the programme
of exercises advertised for weeks before
William Keough was chairman Of the Demo
cratic central committee 1t announced
that Mn Blaine must speak from the balcony of
the Aveline House. fronting the public square,
on which is situated the court house. This Dem
ocratic chairman and Congressman Lowry con-
ceived n brilliant stroke Of policy. An immense
crowd wonld be here on the day of Blaine's visit,
and these Democratic worthless thought If they
could have Democratic meeting with the Dem
ocratic candidate for Vice president as the ora
tor they could claim that the crowd came here
to pay honor to Mr. Hendricks, and not
to Mr.. Blaine; such a meeting was
advertised. A platform was erected on the
public square. just across the street from the
place where Blaine was to speak. Against this
the Republicans protested, and in the protest
were joined by many of the Democrats, Mayor
Zollinger NOW pension agent earnestly contend
ing that the scheme was an outrage and disgrace
to the city. Nothing would move Keough and
Lowry. \ mob of drunken, bowling Democrats
broke up the Blaine meeting, Keough again lead
ing and bossing the disturbance: This is the
man Lowry has made postmaster Will he be
confirmed! Ah there's the rub For this bum
mer, this leader Of a gang of rowdies, this in
suffer OF distinguished citizens, this Northern
bulldozer. Lowry, turned his back upon his old
friend, the one who had warmed and noarished
him. and gave him his start in life. No wonder
the good citizens here denounce him as an in
crate. Mr.. Randall in his righteous indigna-
ton, is not chary in his choice of words, when
referring to the matter.
The meanness of this model Democratic con-
gresham did not stop at secretly preferring
charges against an honorable man, but he kept
it up until be saw his follower safely installed in
office When the appointment of Keough was
made, he and Mr.. Kiel agreed that the Office
should be turned over ON the first day of the
next month. About the 23d of the month Mr..
KEEL received telegram calling him to Cleve-
land, O., on important business. He notified