The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-06
SECRETOF BYNUM'S SUCCESS
How the Congressman Got Some of His
Bitterest Enemies to Vote for Him.
What Few of the Members of the Defeated
but Unreconcied Anti-Bynum Faction
Say About the Nomination.

failed because they did not follow the wisdom OF
Abraham Lincolns remark about swapping
horses while crossing a stream. In the original
convention Bailey had nucleus of nine dele
gates either directly instructed for him or
pledged to him in other ways. These were the
two each from the First Seventh and Eighth
wards and one each from the Twenty fifth, and
Center northeast and northwest The Second,
Fifth and Sixth were for Turpie, while the Fiji
tenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Nineteenth,
Twenty first, Twenty second Twenty third,
Twenty fourth, with Perry and Decatur town.
ships, were for any one outside of Bynum. This
was the situation in the outset as regards Marion
county when the first conventions were
held. Bailey's nomination by the seceders gave
him al the nt-Bynum support, but
when the idea of harmony got among them,
there was disposition on tho part of the lead
ers to take up some one of greater prominence.
But Baileys original nine held steadfast to their
first purposes, and refused to consider any one
but him. If another man was taken up they
would feel free to go to whomsoever they pleased.
This was the disturbing element in the several
efforts towards concentration, and could not be
brought over to accept caucus dictation out
side of Bailey.
On the other hand, had he been selected the
rest of the anti-Bynum delegates would have
supported him, as it mattered little to them who,
except Bynum was nominated. The manipu-
lators of this insecure following should have
taken warning when the resolution commencing
Bailey was adopted unanimously at the Tuesday
night caucus, but they prevailed on him
to adopt their views, and he declined in
favor of Captain Myers, thus releasing his nine
followers from their pledges. Before this one
delegate from the First ward-read a protest
against any other nomination but that OF Bailey.
1t was not listened to, Myers being selected, and
the next day the nine votes scattered. either by
giving proxies or going directly to Bynum. In
Saturdays vote the two First ward delegates, one
from the Seventh, two from the Eighth,
from the Twenty-ffth and each from Cen
tire Northeast and Northwest voted for the sue
cessful candidate leaving but one of the original
nine, John T. Frenzel, to cast his vote for the
caucus nominee. Bailey also was assured Of
eleven and half votes out of Madison county,
one from Hancock and four from Shelby but the
action of the caucus lost four votes in Madison.
There is another interesting feature about the
caucus nominee, Myers. 1t now appears, or is
claimed, that Turpie was the first choice of all
but the straight-out Bailey men, but the diff
Guilty with the latter could only be overcome if
at all, by the man to whom they had pledged
their support The leaders saw that this could
net be done with Turpie so Myerss name was
used FOR ostensible concentration of forces.
1t is known that Mr.. Bailey favored him. and
up to the hour of the convention it was under
stood that Myerss name should be first pre-
sented to be followed by an eloquent naming of
Turpe, which was to be seconded by Madison
county delegate. Then the final move in the
scheme would be the withdrawal of Myers in
favor of Turpie.
In the meantime the vigorous work of the
Bynum people was moderated by his senemies,
through a sunerabundance of confidence in their
own plans Notwithstanding this they knew of
several approaches to the original Bailey dele
gates with offers of place or money. They
counted on the loyalty of at least four, but
could make no effort to check the turning of the
others. 1t is openly charged by them that By
mum, or somebody for him, bought outright a
delegate in the First ward, who a day or two
after the Tuesday night caucus, showed a gold
watch, saying: 81 have made this out of the
deal" It has also gone out that men
who have been appointed to place
through Bynums influence were assessed $40
each to help the canvass out An anti Bynurnita
said, II was sitting in my Office few days ago,
when a man employ in the postal service came
to me to borrow ten dollars. He told me that no
wanted it to meet the assessment Bynum had
made. Recollecting that was on the other side,
he exclaimed 'Whew! | have given the snap
away. For Gods sake don't say anything about
it or use my name When it is necessary, can
give the proof of this conversation, but don't
want to expose the employe, for he is a friend of
mine"
In the Nineteenth ward Frank Giblin, del
egate, was applicant for place on the po-
lice force. Bynum went to the Commissioners
in his behalf, but he failed to meet the standard
of height, and was, therefore, rejected Sim
Coy and 10 hn Frenzel then took up his case, and
in the absence of Mr.. Murphy had his appoint
ment confirmed by the other two commission
ers This was Wednesday last The next day
Frenzel had an interesting interview with Glib
lin, and appealed to him to give him proxy IN
favor of the anti-By numites. Gibn replied
II have already given proxy to my father who
will vote for Bynum."
II will have your appointment revoked" holly
replied Frenzel.
Revoke and be -, John Frenzel; you
could not offer me enough money TO vote against
bank, would not give proxy to anyone who
would oppose Bynum" That settled it; and the
night of that day Giblin went on his beat on
Irish hill after friend of his and ardent sup
porter of Bynum Endorsed him for his uniform.
The Bynum people secured another vote from
that ward, but they failed in bringing over
delegate OLeary. He wavered, and
they got him place driver
of Frank Creelman's grocery wagon
He remained just six hours in that service and
then resigned. with the remark, This ERE don't
suit me; I am going to vote for the anti
Bynumites." They labored with O'Leary as if
with the desperation of lost cause, finally
throwing out the tempting bait of position as
street car dryer ne WOuiO nave mono OF 1t,
and his friends on the other side seeing the
straits ne was in shipped him off to Chicago I'M
til the convention. He returned in time to vote
for Turpie.
Harry 5. Miller, new appointee in the mail
service and delegate from the Twenty fifth, gave
the third vote from that wacd for Bynum,
August NJ. Kuhn collector OF customs, and G.
F. Kissell, another government employe, being
the other two. Back in May, at the time of the
primaries. before the delegate tickets were Sc
lected. Miller went to Mussman, an opponent of
Bynum, to solicit his help in electing him as
delegate He owed Mussman borrowed money,
but the creditor refused to support him.
Now" said Miller, with your aid l can be
elected. If | 60 to that convention and
vote for Bynum / can get a place In the mail
service. then I can pay what owe you" Muss-
man was disincined to accept this statement,
but on Miller's assurance that he could learn the