The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-10
GATHERING OF DEMOCRATS.
Movements of the Candidates and the
Indications as to Their Chances.
The Uncertain Contest for the Lieutenant
Governorship Causes Much Uneasiness-
The Bailey Democrats Triumphant.
REVIEW OF THE SITUATION.

REVIEW OF THE SITUATION.
The ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS the Pivot on
Which All Scheming Swings.
The nomination for Lieutenant-governori is the
pivot on which all combinations trading and
scheming will turn to-day and tomorrow. With
the hotels filling up rapidly and nearly all of the
leading candidates in position along the skirmish
line, this fact was gained. There is always dis
played simon-pure selfshness on the part of a
political aspirant, but last evening it stepped to
the front with increased boldness whenever this
one place, the leading one on the ticket, was
talked about. An opinion for or against any of
the gentlemen prominently named for the posi-
ton. would carry with it an amount of danger
that no candidate dared to confront None
of them in the way OF views even
felt like assuming the pressure. therefore
what could be gathered regarding the probable
nominee for the office had to be caught as it came
to the surface in general lobby talk. Judge
Nelson and his Cass county friends came to the
Grand early in the day, and their number gave a
flavor of certainty that he is at least formida-
BILE candidate. His soldier record was at once
started along the line, supported by his excel
lence as man and judge But it did not go far
until it came in contact with the Jewett move
ment, just as vigorous, but not quite SO aggres-
sive. This was not all. however for the Will
lard interest began to centralize with some
strength. held together by the claim that his
experience as stnmper, the only one named so
far, it is asserted who is we'll equipped in that
respect, and his influence with the Irish. fitted
him exceptionally for the contest Then
came the urging of James McCabe. of Warren,
for the place. It was said Of Ehims that
his race with Ortiz for Congress, some years ago.
showed the individual force there is in him by
his reducing the then large Republican majority
in the district His attainments as lawyer
were also dwelt upon, as emitting him to con-
slderation. 1t was not long after this until the
suggestion went around that Cyrus l.. McNutt
of Terre Haute would be candidate of force
This recalled what had been passed around dur
ing the evening that, after all, Senator Voorhees,
would find way out of the dilemma by naming
the man. 1t belonged to another assertion that
the results that would follow the nomination of
a Lieutenant-governor both as to combinations
on the State ticket and the senatorial contest,
were of too much gravity to permit of any action
until the Senator had chance to express wish
in this regard if he had not already done So
There is the third phase to bear out the proba
bility of the Voorhees, force in this matter,
and that is that gentlemen near to him
were quietly circulating the prediction that To-
cality would have very little to do with the
nomination, allowing to infer that the sue
cessful man had not yet appeared in the field.
Judge Downey, of Rising Sun, also had friends
to suggest his NAME while those who presume to
know of the wishes of Bell aud Cobb said en-
phatically they were not candidates. In con-
hict with this. & ntieman who knows the
billions Of Democratic statesmen as we'll as he
knows himself said Cobb wants it." There
was, also an assertion that Bell, of Allen, had
aal.ow Ix~k1 a.
time. notwithstanding, it was said, his decisive
decination. The talk even went so far as to
suggest ex-senator Mcdonald for the place. it
being urged that if he should be elected it would
not interfere with his senatorial aspira-
tons. On the contrary, he, it was claimed,
could strengthen his lines. Further, if
he carried the State by round majority
it would place him near in succession to the
presidential nomination two years hence. II
cannot see why Mcdonald" said Democrat
from the southern part of the State, 'has not
the nerve to accept it. He ought to DO as Hen
bricks did-assume some of the burdens Of a
campaign before the people have no idea he
will accept but it as practical suggestion as to
a relief from the present uncertainty"
But no matter what was given out in the in
terest of other candidates, the grim fact re-
manned that Jewett and Nelson not taking into
account the contingencies of to-day, were the
leading candidates-oDe the latter, an avowed
candidate, and the other regarding the situation
as of too much Importance to place it solely
personal desire for the place Mr.. Jewert
explained his relation to Che contest
by saying: '"The question of nominating
Lieutenant governor is one of so recent prom
inence that do not think we have had time to
consider what should be done In meeting the
wishes of the people. Three things should not
be lost sight of in selecting nominee to lead
the ticket; first, the good of the party; second
the availability Of men and the security each of
them can offer in ability and influence to carry
US safely through; and third, q disregard of all
personal claims. The place ought not to be
given especially to any one as satisfactory
tribute TO grumblers either as person or COM
munity If the delegates, when they come to-
gether, after having canvassed all the conditions
Of success. think am worthy of the lieutenant
governorshp on these grounds will accept |
am not a candidate in the sense of seeking the
position, forming combinations to get it, opening
headquarters and going into the business of log
rolling"
The evenings events turned altogether upon
the incidents and phases given above. But the
Marion county primaries also came in as a dis
turbing quantity, for there were unsatisfactory
references to the fact that the primaries were
held on an evening when all the candidates were
near at hand. Some thought they should have
occurred Friday or Saturday evening. Yet this
did not prevent every asprant from giving the
result of the election the keenest attention. The
two Marion county candidates for Secretary of
State were particularly interested in obstruct-
ing the claims of the two Marion
county candidates for the Supreme Court
clerkship. 1t was an incident of the time, and
one of some moment, too, this pitting King and
Jordan against Byfield and Conner. And, try
as they would, the Bynum Bailey middle per-
sisteatly came to the front in the round of gen
oral gossip For these four gentlemen it was
like touching red-hot iron. They would have
none of it, but Miers's chances for the secretary
ship of State held their own serenely, though
they were now and then badly iostled oy ndca-
tons of growing strength for King This feat
ure OF the general contest ran side by side with
the one combination that had its birth in the
talk about the Lieutenantgovernor position,
and which held its own throughout the evening
with a counter combination, eagerly search
ing for its weak point To unravel
all the minor details of both would