The Indianapolis journal., 1885-07-29
DOWNING THE ADMINISTRATION.
Mr.. Hendricks Supposed To Re Ready to
Lead Big Congressional Opposition.

Washington Special.
Whether there is anything in the Jones pre-
text not, there are other indications that point
to ultimate war between the President and Vice
president. Political gossips here assert that in
Mr. Hendricks the President will find, event
ually, the worst enemy of the administration.
1t is evident to all readers between the lines
that Mr.. Hendricks not only takes no stock in
civil-service reform, as represented by Mr.
Cleveland, but that he does not conceal his con-
tempt for the general policy of the administra-
ton.
This would not, under ordinary circumstances,
be of much moment but the circumstances are
not ordinary. The vast majority Of the Demo-
cratic politicians are in private or open sympathy
with Mr. hendricks. AS presiding officer Of the
Senate he will find himself the nucleus of Demo
cratic dissatisfaction, outside as we'll as inside
of the Senate. Should the whispered threats of
Democratic senators materialize the President
would find Mr. Hendricks very unpleasant
customer to deal with. The war once declared
on the floor of the Senate, the opposition would
soon have very large following of the Demo.
cratic party at large. 1t seems not improbable
when the odds and ends picked up here in Wash
ington are Carefully put together, that the
Cleveland administration will have more to fear
from divided and disgruntled party in Con
gress than from the Republican Senate.
Perhaps it is not generally known, or. if
known, believed, that actual steps have already
been taken by Democratic members of both
houses to organize and strengthen an open
opposition to the administration. Yet such is
the fact.
A Democratic senator from the South is au-
thority for the statement that not only will the
President fall far short of the support of his
party in the Senate, but that he will not have
more than respectable negative minority in the
House of Representatives He was asked, but
declined to give the names of the senator's on
the ground that it looked like threatening the
President. This it was not desired to do. The
opposition would quickly develop 1t would
extend to both houses; in fact it would be the
more serious in the lower house. To adopt bis
own manner Of putting the case
'"Hhe administration has got along all sum mer
by snub5ing congressman. Congress will snub
the administration all winter
What position does Mr.. Hendricks occupy in
this movement"
II am not at liberty to speak for Mr.. Hen
bricks He is in active sympathy with the
Democratic party. On political questions there
never was any doubt about Mr. Hendricks. He
is not mugwump nor is there anything in his
character or record to indicate that he will be
swerved from party featy by smiles or frowns
from the White House Mr.. Cleveland does not
represent the Democratic party. Mr.. Hendricks
does. If popular vote We're taken to-day, Mr.
Hendricks against Mr.. Cleveland the latter
wouldn't carry corporaps guard"
Western Democratic congressman, as a rule
speak very goomily of the future of the party
Some of them swear revenge for real or fancied
sights growing out of the distribution of the
Offices The offensive partisan" policy meets
with the most general opposition and disgust. 1t
is safe to assume, all the evidence to be gath
cred here that not less than four fifths of the
old line Democrats consider it a mistake to re,
quire charges for the removal of Republican
Office holder.
All this is to come up this winter and will
have to stand the racket, which is more
threatening as we get along, and to which some
think the Indianapolis case is to be lively in
PRODUCTION.