The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-17
FREE WHISKY FOR ALL.
How j. c. s. Blackburn Secured the United
States Senatorship.


How j. C. s. Blackburn Secured the United
States Senatorship.
Louisville Letter in New York Times.
This State elected new Legislature on Aug.
j last The House Of Representatives consists
of 100 members. the Senate 80 The Kentucky
Legislature of 1883 d elected ex- Congressman Joe
1. >. Blackburn as the successor of United
States Senator John S. Williams. better known
to fame as "Cerro Gordo' Williams, title
bestowed upon him by his admirers for the
galantry he displayed at the memorable battle
OF that name during the Mexican war. General
Williams has ever been held in strong regard by
the people of this State of which he is distinct
lively a typcal representative. The farmers and
cattle men have always been his tireless, de-
voted aides and friends. On the other hand. the
distlllers, while willing to receive service from
the Senator in Office, were at least apathetic on
the occasion of his second race for senatorial
honors Their real choice was John G.. Carlisle
whom they conceived to be best able to explain
their perilous position to Congress and the coun-
try, but Mr. Carlisle was content, with customary
wisdom, to watch and wait, looking on, SO to
speak from high observatory far away from
the scene of the struggle When the baloting
began In the Democratic caucus Mr.. Williams
led with 81 votes Mr.. Blackburn received 43 and
there were "a scattering. Soon the balance of
power concentrated on William Sweeney. a
lawyer who lives in what is designated in Ken
lucky as the Purchase" indicating that section
of the State formerly claimed by Illinois For
nearly two months balloting proceeded with only
slight changes either way. The Williams peo-
ple at first absolutely certain that seventeen of
the balance of power vote would come to ''Cerro
Gordo' on the "windup, grew restless as time
passed by and Sweeney remained on the track.
Each party had it's headquarters The head
quarters presented curious sights. There was
enthusiasm" at all. but more especially around
Blackhurns standard Here there was always a
crowd drinking. talking. planning. A barrel Of
whisky-rarely full, however-occupied one cor
ner Of tho room, and half dozen white china
pitchers were always available. There was an
ever spoken Help yourself, boys" and of course
they responded cheerfully to this invitation.
AS fast as one pitcher was emptied, out
went the bung Of the barrel in the corner and
1T was soon refed. Sometimes a newcomer or
fastdous person would ask for sugar but as
rule the stuff fresh from the pitcher was
good enough for most callers at Captain Joe's
headquarters The crowd was never too large
to prevent Captain Blackburn from relating an
experience, telling one Of Mr.. Travers's jokes,
or furnishing chestnut" for the dedication
Of members from 'kentry deestricts.' He was
always cheerful, bright, called everybody by his
first name. and, inspired by the confidence of
hope and the surroundings, made friends slowly
but surely. His interests in caucus were attended
to by two senators from Mr.. Cariisles district,
an exSpeaker, and one or two Louisville mem
bers. The ex Speaker was suspected of desire
to succeed Mr. Blackburn in Congress, and
one of the senators who represented Mr. Car
NSIeS district never was Tor blr BLACK Durn,
hoping to spring Carllse'S name at the right
time for success This time never came. or if it
did it was neglected-probably the latter. While
the scenes described were in progress in the
Blackburn camp, the wine of the country
not neglected at either Senator Williams or Mr..
Sweeney's headquarters. At both camps there
was never-failing supply of whisky and visit
ors. Members, visitors, strangers, aristocrats,
commoners were all on the same level.
Every body was welcome; All introduction was
.9rnn vnnd ~. fy,An
would have been little short of an insult Every
body was presumed to know every body else, and
If they were not acquainted the constant clink-
ing OF China pitchers ut required too much time
to use glasses) soon obviated the necessity Of an
Introduction. Finally a. climax to these extra
ordinary scenes of excitement was toreshadowed
by the withdrawal of Mr.. Sweeney Sixty one
votes were required to nominate. I've got them,
you bet" said "Cerro Gordo." with great glee.
Blackburn's friends. who were intensely
alarmed but cool and resolute, listened to the
voting as the clerks deep voice slowly called the
roll Recapitulating the vote, the clerk an
nounced: Williams, 60; Blackburn, So My
God" cried Senator Williams, who heard the
tally, Il need just more vote!" A member
happened to leave the caucus, and the Senator,
seeing him, rushed upon the young man. threw
his arms around him, and excitedly exclaimed:
For heavens sake go in there and change your
vote; you can elect me senator" 81 would like
to do IL. SIR" was the answer, but the reputa-
ton of an angel would be questioned if his vote
was changed now" This was the nearest
approach to decisive ballot in his favor that
Williams secured. The Blackburn faction
effected an adjournment by clever parliamentary
tactics, and soon afterward found several angels
who lost if not their wings, something else.
Thus by the election of Mr. Blackburn the
Ashland or former Henry Clay, district of the
State obtained the two United States senators,
Mr.. Beck's residence being within a few miles of
his new colleague. 1t will soon be Mr.. Beck's
turn to come before the people. He will be
opposed by Governor Knott or Secretary of
State Mckenzie or both, by Mr.. Carlisle. by
Congressman Breckenridge. by ex-Chef justice
Lindsay, and some say by Louisville merchant
John NJ. Atherton. who is certainly we'll qualified
for the Office. This election will occur in De-
cember, 1887, but active preparations for it have
already been made. 1t will be the field against
Beck. who will make the fight of his life. The
sturdy Scot has good staying qualities, but will
be put on pace in the next race which will
require speed as we'll as bottom to win To take
the track and keep it will indeed be hard to do,
and the most vexatous feature of it all is that
President Cleveland doesn't seem to dish out
patronage with view to aiding any especial
aspirant among the great unknowns' who are
looming up as successful Office seekers to the
great chagrin of others directly affected by
presidential recognition