The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-13
IN DANGER OF DISRUPTION.
The fractional Strife of Democrats Over
the Senatorial Contest.
Opposition to the Candidacy of Mcdonald
The Caucus Nomination Likely To Be
Given to the Highest Bidder.

1t requires all the ingenuity of the Democratic
managers TO keep their plots direct and plots
supplementary from causing disruption of Sc
rious consequences The idea is being fostered
that all the arrangements pertaining to the
Legislature are not in the interest OF the party,
but solely for Mr.. McDonald's benefit A man
whose fealty to Democracy cannot be questioned,
for he is just ready to shoulder its sins as to
commend its virtues, if it has any. came down
from his home in the northern part of the
State few days ago and said: 'You people
In indianapolis know nothing concerning thesen
atorial tight, except you get it from Rice, Lamb,
Henderson, Voorhees, or Mcdonald, and every
move they make or intend to make is in the in
terest of Mcdonald. It did rot take me ten
minutes to find that out after fell in with the
gang of politicians who have had their cues
given them by these men. 1t is all one way
here but get out in the State and you will run
across many Democrats who want Gray
This, with the recent action of the Michigan
City Dispatch, in throwing its force into the ring
in favor of the Governor. and the many reports
coming from that part of the State telling of a
defined opposition to Mcdonald is suggestive of
what is in store for the ex-Senators friends
Saturday night one of these energetic statesmen
was in confidential mood and told of an inter-
nal trouble that grows from day to day. With
a solemnity that anticipates disaster he re-
marked: 1--WE are having some difficulty with
these contests"
''Why?"
Cant get any money to pay the fiddler.
Down at Vincennes, where we have been push
ing matters to the widest limit, for Mackey's
case is the one on which we place more reliance.
we raised only $3.50. The hat has been passed.
around two or three times, but nothing more is
dropped into it. Elsewhere we have not done as
we'll, and this Marion county committee of safety
that began with tremendous flourish has been
able to raise only a few dollars. The out
look is not pleasant, tell you, and if something
is not done very shortly we will not come within
fighting distance of electing a United States
Senator"
"What is the matter with your leaders?"
"We haven't any. You would be surprised if
you knew of the extent to which dissatisfaction
has gone in our party and especially with Mr..
Mcdonald They think he is negecting oppor-
tunities 1t is all very we'll for you Judge said
an irate Democrat to him, not long ago, for you
to sit in your Office or to be called into consulta-
tlons TO give advice but what is needed Ia work
and great deal of it, When the talking and
planning about these contests were at their
height, and affairs were disheartening Mr.. Nc
Donald went off to Washington, when his presence
was needed in indianapolis. Telegram after
telegram was sent to him, and he gave them no
attention In the meantime every politician
on the lookout for something constituted himself
a subscription canvasser in his locality to get
money to pay the expenses of the proposed con-
tests, in feeling lawyers and getting evidence. All
this was for Mr.. McDonald's benefit, for the con-
tests began with the sole purpose of keeping a
majority that would elect him. The people
were not to be fooled, hence they have declined
to subscribe as literally as they would have done
had they been certain of something more besides
advice from Mr. Mcdonald. Any aspiring
Democrat who wants the caucus nomination
can get it, if he has the inclination to bear con-
siderable expense in supplying the material
needs of these contests. If any man pays down
81, 500 for this purpose with the promise of more
when needed he can have the glory of the nomi-
nation and probably the election. Several have
been approached. but they were either commit
ted to Mcdonald or did not desire the senator
ship at such cost"