The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-18
THE SEVENTH DISTRICT FUSS.

THE SEVENTH DISTRICT FUSS.
The New York Sun, in common with Dem
ocratic papers all over the country, is very
anxious that the differences existing between
the Democrats of the Seventh Indiana district
be healed, in the interest of the party's well
fare at large. The Sun does not understand,
or is inclined to ignore, the facts in the case.
The fight in this district is not so much for
the purpose of getting rid of Mr. Bynum, who
has proved unsatisfactory to the followers Of
Mr.. Hendricks, as to determine whether the
immediate heirs of the late Vice-president
shall succeed to his political estate. The end
of the fight is not to be seen in this campaign,
but reaches much further. If the struggle
were only over who should be Congressman
from this district, it would not be so hard to
adjust. But it is vastly more than that, and
it will require good deal of argument and
diplomacy to fix up the matter so that the
different factions will work together in har
mony. One Of the two must be at the head
of the party in the Seventh district, and there
can be but one The constitution of the
Democratic party is such that it is ever sub
ject to bosses in the various localities, and
these in turn to some one in higher grade.
When Mr.. Hendricks died he left Indiana
without Democratic head The herd Of the
faithful was without recognized leader.
This explains the secret of the frequent
wrangles in the Democratic conventions of
this State since his demise. In the process of
making new formation, with new bosses, it
is natural that there should men spring up to
dispute the leadership. This is what the
issue is in the indianapolis district to- day.
Were only the future of Mr.. Bynum at stake,
it is quite likely that some kind of truce
could be patched up. But the results
of the outcome of this contest are
too important and too far reaching to he light
ly passed over. The question is, whether Mr..
Bynum, or any of his adherents, is capable of
leadership over older and ADLER men in the
party. Must the Englishes, and the Kerns,
and the Coys consent to take back seat in
the futurea That would be the significance of
defeat at this time This explains the bit
terness and determination that have been
evinced in this fight. 1t is the same else
wher n Indiana, and for the same reason.
Out of the political earthquake that is now
stirring up the Democratic depths will be
thrown up new headands that shall serve as
landmarks The struggle is for vastly more
than seat in Congress. The side that wins
wins all, and the vanqulshed will have little
to say in the councils of the bosses in the days
to come. Who shall be commander of the
Democratic hosts in the capital district of In
dianag 1t is prize worth fighting for, and
the loss of Congressman is of minor considera-
ton just now. 1t will be useless for outsiders
to attempt to pour oil on the Indiana waters
just at this time There are several districts
in Indiana where the same issue is at stake.
This fact suddenly brought William S. Hol-
man from his seat in Congress, where so much
business demanded his attention just at this
time, to see about the future Of politics in his
district. Who is to be the administrator Of
the political estate of the late Thomas A.
Hendricks The head of the Democratic firm
in this State is dead, and the surviving silent
partners are disputing over the settlement.
The issue of all this is to determine who snail
have the control of the Democratic party in
Indiana. 1t will not be easily settled.