The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-27
THE TOWNSHIP CONVENTION,

The Republican convention for the nominal
ton of a candidate for township trustee and
other township officers meets this morning at
10 o'clock in the Masonic Hall. For reasons
which the Journal has heretofore given as
earnestly as it could, the duty of this conven-
ton is Of the most important character.
Every one knows that, because of re-
cent events, the attention of voters and
taxpayers all over the State has been
called to the Office Of trustee as it has never
been called before, and the nominees of each
party will be held to stricter scrutiny than
WITS ever the case in previous elections. The
public mind is peculiarly sensitive just at
this juncture, and men against whom nothing
can fairly be said in the way Of impeaching
their integrity, will be subjected to
tests as to fitness and capacity which
they must meet, if their election is
to be assured. This is particularly the case
with Republican nominees, not only in Center
township, but in all the townships Of the
State; but in none will there be more rigid
scrutiny than in Center township, and no
nomination in the State will have so powerful
an influence as the one that is made to-day for
the capital township of Indiana. A nomina-
ton does not necessarily mean an election; and
while the delegates to the convention
may assemble with their personal preferences
for this man or that man, each and every del
egate should be ready to lay these aside for
the common good, and meet together de-
termined to make such selection as will not
only challenge the full support Of the party,
but which will force the favorable considera-
ton of many not known as party men. The
nomination should be made with the sole OBJ
ject of securing the hearty support of united
party, and of winning strength even outside
the recognized party organization.
The Journal has no candidate It has no
personal preference among those whose names
have been mentioned in connection with the
office; but it would be folly for Republicans to
meet this morning and refuse to recognize
the existing circumstances They should DELHI
crate upon the respective merits, the strength
and weakness, of each man who may be before
them, and then, in the light Of all
the known and recognized facts
name the very best and strongest
candidate within their power, even though he
be not among those who have been promi-
nently mentioned for the place. We know of no
reason why the convention should be pre-
cluded from a selection even outside the
names of those generally recognized as can
didates It would be no reflection upon any
of them were the convention to do this, and
to fix upon some such nominee as Gen. George
T. McGinnis man who carries none
of the weights that may be urged against
others, growing out Of circumstances
possibly beyond their control, and for which
neither they nor the party are in any wise
responsible. The Journal earnestly urges
upon the convention this morning the vital
Importance of their action, and we make the
suggestion we have only and solely in the
interests of the Republican party and Of the
people. If General McGinnis could be per-
suaded to make the race, the Journal is salts
fed that his nomination would be a happy
solution of a problem which every Republican
must know is in front Of them in the selection
of candidate for township trustee.
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