The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-07
THE CONVENTION AND ITS WORK.

Indianapolis never saw more thoroughly
representative, dignifed, and honorable body
of men than that assembled on Saturday
last as the Republican city conven-
ton. Not only the best men of the party
were of its composition, but the very best
men of the city-citizens of the highest char
acter of intelligence, of pure purpose, and
identified the most closely with the business
and industry of the city, and, therefore, the
most deeply and vitality concerned in its ma
terial and moral welfare. There can be no
comparison between it and the Democratic
convention of the Thursday night previous.
The contrast is so pronounced that to
define it would be like attempt
ing the definition of day from night.
The purpose Of the convention. as repre-
senting the Republican party was plain and
direct. They were there, as the platform ex
plicitly declares, to accept the issue forced
upon the people of indianapolis, between
law and lawlessness, between the economy of
wastefulness of a corrupt and lawless combi-
nation. AS expressive Of this purpose the
platform adopted by the convention is brief,
explicit and comprehensive. There is no read
ing between the lines; it is as plain as trans
parent purpose and truthful words can make
it. 1t declares for the enforcement of
law in the interest of public order,
and for the protection of private rights
every one of which, and for all classes Of citi-
zens, are jeopardized whenever law is made
the spirit of personal caprice or prostituted to
the behests Of class or supposed partisan ne
cessity. It declares for economy in expendi-
ture; against any increase of taxation, directly
or indirectly, and for the refunding of the
city debt, if possible, step already suggested
by the Republican mayor now holding the
Office. 1t declares squarely and in terms for
the overthrow of the domination of the
Liquor League in city and State politics, and
for OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES tax upon the saloons
the limit allowed by the present law.
There is no ambiguity in these declarations.
Every citizen knows just what the party pur-
pose is. It rightfully arraigns the
Democratic State officers for their
misuse of the metropolitan police
system, as shown by their course respecting
both commissioners Frenzel and Cottrell, and
it emphatically indorses the efforts of such
men as John W. Murphy for the vindication
of the law. Upon this declaration of pur-
poses the convention asked the support not
only of all members Of the Republican party,
but also of all voters who are in sympathy
with the ideas expressed, and who desire to
rebuke the open and fagitious surrender to
the spirit Of lawlessness and corruption made
by the Democratic convention.
Mr.. Caleb S. Denny, the nominee for
mayor, placed himself squarely, with both
feet fatfooted, upon the platform adopted;
and so, whether his nomination may
or may not be acceptable to
everybody, he stands as the
absolute representative of the platform, and
is worthy the votes of all who desire to sup
port that. Possibly no nomination the con-
vention could have made would have
been unanimously and instantly satisfactory.
Each of the candidates had his warm and
devoted friends, but Mr.. Denny is, in all
respects, an able, courageous, reputable man.
His life and career demonstrate the integrity
and force of his character and the inherent
strength of his manhood His administration
of the Office of city attorney has been credita-
BILE to himself and valuable to the city, while
the knowledge and experience lie has there
gained will be of much value to him should he
be elected mayor. Mr.. Denny is man of
force and energy; his canvass for the nomina-
ton demonstrates that, equally with the
success he has achieved in life with
out adventurous aid These qualities
are needed in the Office of mayor, and these
Mr.. Denny unquestionably possesses. In addi
ton, Mr.. Denny has the facilities that will
be required in order to win in this campaign
The Journal again desires to say that the can
vass will be the most stubbornly contested, the
hottest, and possibly the closest, the city has
ever seen. The influences behind Mr.. Cot
trell will not easily be defeated. They will
organize, work and spend money freely.
These must be met by close organization per-
sistent and hard work, and by the presence of
determined men in the southern wards,
especially, who will stand in the way of the
intimidations and frauds that will be at
tempted. Fraud and bulldozing are the
weapons of the Liquor League; they have