The Indianapolis journal., 1886-11-27
CONFESSION OF A SCHEMER.
'sMariah" Henderson Tells the History
ofthe Plot to Defeat Cumback.
Ehe DishOnOrable Part He Played in It, Along
with Jim Hughes-How Hon. J. W. Bur-
\ son Was Cheated out of His Seat.

the attention of the next Legislature have re-
called scenes of past days, and precedents for
this or that scheme are furnished without num-
Der. A part of the unwritten history of Indian
apois is how Bill Cumback missed the United
States senatorship. at time when it appeared
shat he had a walk-over. William has in years
past boen known as the Christian statesman"
in later days was leader of the cold
voters, and is now given the credit-and no per-
son questions his right to 1t, eitherof being the
author of that earnest phrase, "The Gods truth
OF the whole business is.' etc. In 1871 he was
Acknowledgements. The Legislature was Re-
publican by small majority, and Cumback was
tne choice for Senator.
In the Senate at that time was Judge James
Hughes, one of the ablest men this State ever
produced, and it was to him that William owed
his defeat The story was told by Col. Eb Hen
derson last night to party of friends. Eb was
Senator at that time. representing Morgan
county, and was party to the scheme to knock
out Cumback.
Judge Hughes was smarter than chained
lightning, and was, too. the most bitter partisan
ever knew" said the Colonel as he shifted his
position in his chair and made himself the more
cannon and brass band, and in
the Senate scored Democrats right and
left at every opportunity What was my
surprise, then, one day down at my home
IN Martinsville, to receive message stating that
Jim was at one of the hotels and wanted to see
tne 1t was two days after legislative election
and the result of that election was that the
Legislature, while Republican, was yet close.
All through the campaign it was the understand
sng among Republicans that Cumback was to be
the next Senator-if they carried the election.
hf course Well, knew that Jim Hughes hated
Bill Cumback like he hated poison, but never
thought that he would connive with Democrats,
gwen to crafty his revenge went to the hotel.
puzziing my brain all the way down street, in
wondering over what the Judge wanted with me.
was shown up TO his room. and, after shaking
hands with me, he turned about ard locked the
door Then he pushed up couple of chairs.
and we sat down.
''Henderson he said, the Legislature is Re-
publican isn't itl'
~ replied that it was
But the Senate will not be Republican If
vote with you fellows. will it9' he asked and
thought that could see deviment in his eyes.
Now, to think of Judge Hughes voting with the
Democrats appeared preposterous to me. |
knew the Senate would be tie, and Cumback
would have the deciding vote, but could not
believe Judge Hughes would turn Democrat. SO
said:
But you are Republican, Judge, and won't
NO he replied, Il have a better scheme
than that | want you to go to Indianapolis
with me this afternoon, see Hendricks, Voor-
bees and Alvord, who was then chairman of the
Democratic State committee, and arrange for
meeting with me-
He appeared so much in earnest and gave me
so many assurances OF good faith that that even
ing saw at indianapolis, and the next night we
Eve met ia a room at the Bates House. Then
Judge Hughes unfolded bis scheme The Senator
elected from the senatorial district then COM
brised of Delaware and Madison counties was
Senator Burson Burson was a brother-in law
Of Oliver p Morton, a Republican, of course,
and if there any person for whom
Judge Hughes entertained greater dislike than
he did for Cumback. that was Senator
Morton. 1t Hughess scheme to contest
Burson's election. There had been some charges
pR bribery and Illegal voting These
were taken as a pretext, and the
pext day we had contest proceedings
fled. Judge Hughes was not to be known in
the matter at all The entire affair was also to
be kept a secret, and SO it was. The night be-
fore the Legislature convened Democratic Sena-
tors met in caucus | tell you that a SEN
Rte Some of the ablest men ever known to this
State, both Republicans and Democrats, were
members at that time. The present Governor
Gray was at that time Republican Senator.
and the leader Of his side. Judge Hughes and
had an understanding. When the caucus was
called to order first pledged all to secrecy, and
then told the Senators OF the scheme. AS ex
pected, they laughed at me, and l can remember
bow Uncle Jimmy Williams who was member,
telling me that old Jim Hughes could not
pull the wool over his eyes. According
TO arrangements then asked the privi
lege of bringing the Judge to the eau
Gus. He was in waiting at the Bates
House and soon put in appearance To make
long story short, he won the caucus and his plans
were adopted. The strangest part of the whole
Rffair was that not Democrat had asked US for
position. They supposed, of course that we
would not haYe any to give out; so before the
aAt H10 0hnc md olyaS
whether we had any names to suggest for posi-
tions. Hughes named Jim Cookery for Door
Keeper, and l Rip Harrison for Secretary The
next day, when the Senate convened, the fun be-
gan The newly elected Senators all stood in
line, and, as their names we're called, each
stepped forward and presented his certificate to
Lieutenant governor Cumback When Burson's
name was called arose and objected to his be-
ipR sworn In, on the ground that had in my
possession copy of record of proceedn IS of con-
$est entered against him. He had been charged
with bribery, said, and if he was guilty
unworthy to fill seat in the Senate of Indiana.
They were completely dumfoundsd. OF course,
it was known that a contest had been filed, but
1t was never expected that it would come up
in that manner Cumback declared me out of
order which, OF course, was. appealed from
Ais decision and he again declared me out of
Nrder, saying there was as yet no Senate to ap-
peal to. But and there Is where he put his foot in
IL, just az we expected be said he wo uld enter
tain my motion soon as the Senate was organ
lied When that was done, he recognized me-
/ already had the appeal written out 1t
was read, and the vote taken resulted
In my being sustained. l then raised
the point that in his being overruled
was sustained in my position that Burson
was unfit to take his seat. Cumback could
not see it that way. appealed from his decision
again. and the second time he was overruled.
There was h-ll to pay. Judge Hughes took
sides with us. Cumback had recognized Re-
publican Senator, who began to talk against
sine. The Judge saw that our plans were about
80 fail, and he jumped to his feet, white with
rage. He was recognized, of course. The gen.
tleman from Monroe has the floor, said Cum
back, as soon as he saw that the Judge had
something to say. will never forget the scene
that followed. Judge Hughes grew wrothy.
9 Yes. the gentlaman from Monrna has the