The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-10
DISCONSOLATE AND MAD.
Unhappy Democrats Growing About
Their Defeat and Making Threats.
Talk About the Legislative Situation by Pol
iticans at the Democratic State Head
quarters and on the Streets.

At the rooms of the Democratic State Central
Committee, yesterday, there appeared to be a re-
turn of the thick gloom that followed the first
reports giving everything to the Republicans.
They had become resigned to the loss of the
State ticket, and Chairman Henderson's parrot
like repetition that I'VE have the Legislature
by two majority on joint ballot, had come to be
accepted as the joyful truth by the sedentary
loungers who frequent that place. so that when
the news from Terre Haute showed beyond
doubt bubble that Cornelius Meagher of
Vigo, justice of the peace. was gone they were
plunged into deep deep cave of gloom.
The visit yesterday of John E. Lamb
and Judge Lowry two statesmen terribly mu-
tilated by the Republican road roller, added to
the melancholy of the occasion. Mr.. Henderson
tried to resume his chant, I'VE have the Legs
lature by two on joint ballot" but the words
seemed to stick in his throat. Two or three
owl-like statesmen of the fourth class tried to
make some Of the mourners believe that there
was still something joyful that would in due
time be disclosed to the faithful, but the mourn
ers refused to believe that the cloud had any
silver lining, and would not be comforted.
There were even some unkin6 words
spoken regarding Senator Voorhees, and Judge
McNutt. of Terre Haute, for the fact that they
allowed Justice of the Peace Meagher to run for
the Legislature and thus imperil the senator
ship A report reached the committee head
quarters that another Democratic Representa-
tive-elect would probably be prevented from
taking his seat because he lacked the essential
qualification of being citizen of the United
States, having left the country several years
ago, for Canada, where he took an oath of ale
glance TO the Queen, and returned without
claiming his citizenship This report, of course,
only made darker the hopelessness of the Demo
cratic downfall
The talk on tie streets regarding the legisla-
tive situation was generally expressive of tho
view that the Republicans had decidedly the ad-
vantage, and with the concession that there
would at least be tie, the matter was can
vassed on the probable outcome of the fight for
control. Chairman Huston still asserts conf
IDENTIFY that the official canvass will show that
the Republicans are justly entitled to a ma
jority.
Green Smith, the Democrat who was elected
President pro tenn. of the Senate at the close of
its last session, spent yesterday in the city seek
ing encouragement in his scheme to get himself
recognized as the successor Of Lieutenant-gov
ernor Manson. To his friends he expressed
determination to fight for the office.
There was post-mortem examination of the
remains of the party at the rooms of the Demo
cratic committee last night. Eb Henderson,
Senator Howard, of Decatur county; John z.
Lamb, Senator Willard, Senator Green Smith,
VIM. A Peelle and dozen or more local celeb
rites. sat at the round table and looked solemn.
Mr. Henderson announced that 'this was a gen.
eral experience meeting, and all who wanted to
talk could do So" Speaking for him
self, he said he was completely ratified,
He had done all in his power to carry the State
had not left single stone unturned so far as
his judgment went He had been in a good many
political campaigns but he had never before got
into such this He could do nothing
with the people. They had made up their minds
to vote the Republican ticket, and nothing could
head them of. The administration was to blame
for it all. In former campaigns, when the party
was out of power the Democrats stood together.
But this year they were all quarreling among
themselves, and all he could do would not pacify
them. Cleveland ought to have foreseen this
outcome of his policy, and if he had only sat
down and studied, and looked ahead while he
would have seen where he was taking the party
There was disposition on the part of some
young fellow, just sproutng mustache to take
issues with the chairman, and he ventured the
assertion that the party defeat was due entirely
to lack of votes.
Senator Howard was given a chance to talk,
and he said if there ever was time in the histo-
rv OF the State when he wanted to see a Demos
cratic victory it was this year. What would
Tom Hendricks think" he remarked, ''if he
knew the condition of things herel tell you it
is an everlasting disgrace upon us that we let
the State get away from us. never saw tick
ct so badly slaughtered ali over the State"
There we're other remarks from those present,
who wanted to bring up the local frauds, but
the statesmen seemed to want to steer clear OF
the robbery, and the conversation dritted back
to the Republican victory. Lamb had little to
say, though once ne remarked that The never
had been so badly slaughtered in all his life"
There was pause at o'clock. when Chairman
Henderson and several others left to go down
and see if the Democratic committee of one
hundred had saved the Legislature, and soon
the remaining disappointed politicians deserted
the place.