The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-12
SUCCESS OF THE SLATE.

SUCCESS OF THE SLATE.
How the Candidates Secured Their Norni-
nations by Combining Their Strength.
The contest between Judge Coffroth, of Lafay-
cite, and Judge Davidson. of Charlottesville, did
not bring the convention out of the ordinary
quiet routine adopted at the outset This war
was without incident, EXCEPT In serving as an in
Dictator Of probable deals, in behalf of the other
candidates Night before last Judge Coffroths
Lafayette friends said they were willing to help
ing on the contest for the nomina-
ton for Auditor, around which the
deals conferred. AS the southwestern
counties had been looked upon as certain for
Davidson, the manner in which they voted
served to show that the Rsiter men had not been
successful or did not try very hard to secure the
Coffroth favor. Those counties with few ex-
captions, went solidly for Davidson, while the
southeastern counties gave Coffroth support
equally as strong.
This development Of arrangement obtained
additional evidence in the vote for Miers for
Secretary OF State It required two ballots
to carry it out. but it came at last
with success for the Monroe candidate,
the first of the combination aggressively put on
foot week or more ago, The Reiter delegates
conferred on King and Jordon, both of whom
were left on the first ballot with no hope of re-
covering. It was trump card of the deal, and
failed to realize expectations. That is all that
can be said about it
When it came under the next order of busi-
ness, to the nomination of Auditor, the key note
of the ticket was reached. 1t was painfully evil
dent before many coED-ies were called, that the
solid forty five south 81 the National road had
gone from Reter's control He got bat little
help in northern counties, while Munsou made
havoc with the delegations from che southeast
announced. the success of Munson became
SO certain, that several counties
changed their votes from Pitzer to him. The
confusion of this proceeding threatened to be-
come unmanageable, until the chairman said,
"It Is not necessary, gentlemen Mr.. Munson
has already enough votes to nominate him." If
there was an understanding between the Reiter
and Pitzer men that the latter would go to the
Vincennes candidate On the second ballot, the
friends Of the Upton aspirant failed to carry it
changes. IL was brilliant little dash for vic
tory, and looked suspicious for the nomination
of Kruger.
Passing over the featureless nomination for
Treasurer, the interest conferred on the Supreme
Court clerkship The FIRST ballot did not decide
it, but Kruger came within few votes of being
nominated by it. SO close did he come that an
other confusion of changes followed. It seemed
as X Kruger enthusiasm had possession Of
counties that were, few minutes before, fight
ing him vigorously. Everyone wanted to go on
record as voting solidly for him. It was the
only time during the FIVE hours duration of the
convention anything approaching old-tfme Dem
Ocratic excitement came to the 'front.' The
clerks could not record the changes, and the
chairman, in a fruitless effort to recognize q
half dozen men at the same time, ordered an
other ballot By6eld withdrew early in its
progress, aud the nomination went 70 Krueger
with hurrah. He was the third of Che slate
with success opposite his name.
In the race for the attorney geueralship other
evidences of the Reiter men appeared. 1t con-
frmed the belief that he had been flirting with
the Pitzer delegations and working for Kent
All Of his strength went to the latter, while Nc
Mullen gathered in all who had voted for Mier.
Munson and Kruger. Even with this, he had
much he could do to keep ahead until the
last counties were called, which gave him a de-
cisive majority.
This closed the combination, leaving the con-
test between Sweeney and Holcombs for the
nomination for Superintendent Of Public
Instruction to introduce a different feat
ure. On Tuesday evening Sweeney's
growth in votes WAS suddenly rapid.
No one could account for it in any particular
way, except bnab Inc cOuV0nblGn WOul0 not agree
to give Holcombe third term. That gentle
man showed his uneasiness by putting into the
hands of each delegate Yesterday circular adj
vising him that he. sought to correct the error
that he was not seeking denomination by her
aiding this fact 81 address YOU to saw that
am again a candidate, and to state the grounds
on which ask your support" Those grounds
were that it had been Democratic custom "to
give a successful State Superintendent three
nominations and that he had worked hard
e. A1w Ns~xo ka h. -. 80
schools and to the satisfaction of the neople"
He did not fail to mention that he ran a thou
sand votes ahead OF the average of the "a ticket
His concluding sentence asked chat the estab-
lished precedent of the party may not be vio-
lated in my case" Opposed to this were the en-
thusiastic efforts Of Sweeney supporters in the
persons of young Irishmen- They made the first
ballot interesting for two other candidates had
just enough support to Keep Sweeney out of a
nomination, wanting only thirteen votes. On
the next ballot the two had the
field to themselves, and lively re-
spouse to calls there in giving Sweeney
votes from all over the State. Marion county
supported him with fifty one on the first and
fftytwo ON the second ballot The brillIancy
of his race was understood when the fact be-
came known that he came up from humble life,
first as q railroad digger when quite a boy
he left Cincinnati. his native city, to
seek his fortune in this State. Eighteen
years ago he drove cart in this city,
and then going to Dubois county ac
auired sufficient education to teach school
IN log house After this he became principal
of a normal school, then of a high-school. and
for six years has been superintendent of schools
in his county. He is of Catholic parentage, and
attends that church, but does not claim a mem
bership in it, He asserts an enthusiastic adj
miration for the public school system of Indiana,
as it enabled him to advance nlife This closed
the work of the day, and the delegates were glad
of it,
DISREGARDING CLEvELAND's ORDER.
The Large Number of Federal Office Holders
Who Were Conspicuous In the Convention.
It was pleasing to note the close observance of
the Presidents order in regard to federal officers