The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-12
PLOTS OF THE POLITICIANS.
Circulation of a Purposelv False Report
Regarding Senator Harrison.
Gathering of Democrats in Washington To-
Day to Arrange Plans for the Coming
Fight in the Indiana Legislature.

To take the edge off their internal troubles the
discord in Republican ranks, and just now this
very stupid method of seeking to balance the eff
fects OF friction between the Mcdonald and Gray
factions is applied to Senator Harrison. Some
fslsifer, without even an intimation of truth
to support it, started gossip yesterday
concerning the Senator. 1t was stated on au-
thority vague and insufficient" that Senator
Harrison was not in sympathy with the pur-
poses OF legislative contests, and had therefore
decided to withdraw from the senatorial race.
It was colored with the pretense of programme
which comprehended no formal notification to
this effect from the Senator until
the Republican caucus was called. It
was also given out that his friends DESTROYS
of pressing his claims to the presidential NOM
nation, have prevailed upon him to adopt this
course in order to free himself from entanglng
alliances. The gossip had the stamp of Demo
cratic falsifying and those who know the
Senator need no further proof than the stafe-
ment of John B. Elan, who told the reporter
that General Harrison has not retired from
the senatorial race and has no such in
tention. / have heard no intimation
from him that he is contemplating such course
as is laid down in this rumor." Another close
friend Of the Senator said eff the Legislature
sees fit to re-elect Senator Harrison he will glad
ly accept the honor, but he will take no part IN
the organization or management of any cam
paign among the legislators designed to be in
his interest"
AS an evidence of how badly the wrangling is
affecting the Democrats, the following special
telegram from Washington further reveals what
has cropped out locally now and then concerning
the plotting of the conspirators
"On tip-toe the prominent Indiana Democrats
now in this city slipped around this afternoon
and to night and in whispers issued verbal call
for a conference to be held at Col Dick Bright's
residence tomorrow, beginning at IL
o'clock. The object is to devise a
complete programme for conducting all
affairs in connection with the election of a
United States Senator in Indiana this winter, of
disposing of the dangers the ballotstealers stand
In, of a pushing contest, and OF finally working
the joint ballot or breaking up the Legislature
and leaving vacancy. John E. Lamb, it devel-
ops. came here specially to attend this confer
ence, and all preliminaries are to be
intrusted to him. He is to have general charge
of all matters in the courts, defending crimi-
nails who will be indicted and to keep this end
of the line posted as to maneuverngs OF the
opposite party and the opposite factions in
Mcdonald and all the Democratic representatives
from the State, excepting, possibly, Mr.. Bynum,
who is regarded as a formidable candidate him.
self. are expected to be present tomorrow also,
Ed Henderson and some of the others who can
keep secrets and lend valuable counsel. 1t was
stated to-day that arrang ements had already been
perfected whereby Governor Gray would
accept the designations Of the Demo
cratic Senator's at a. moments notice,
so as to dissolve the upper branch of the Legis-
lature and make the election of United States
senator impossible but the threatened criminal
suits against certain Democratic leaders at In
dianapolis are said to be quite as annoying q
feature as there is for settlement; they to re-
ceive attention, and steps will be taken to raise
money to defray expenses"