St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-11-22
A VERY CLOSE CALL.
The Democrats Have a Majority of But
Two in the Legislature of
Hoosiardem,
And the Republicans Are Moving Heaven
and Earth to Revsrse the Peo.
plo's Will.
senator Ben Harrison, in Such Case,
Will Occupy His OLD seat at
Washington.
and Gov. Gray Growing Daily
More Interesting.


INDIANAPOLIS. Nov. 21.-As Columbus
was the center of political contest last win
ter, so indianapolis promises to be when
the assembly meets in January. AS in
Ohio, the contest will be sharpened by the
prize of the United States senatorship. Ben
Harrison will occupy the position of Sena-
tor Sherman. and. if elected, will develop
into more national prominence than he has
yet attained. He has probably never been
popular-that is down among the people
like Garfield and other idols. He could not
from his altitude of genuine arlstocracy
go into the by-paths of political life and
draw the rabble after him in appreciative
accord. He has been accused of a far
away smile, judicial calmness which does
not cheer. but no one ever imputed word
of dishonor or dishonesty. About the worst
thing | ever heard of Ben Harrison was
that he wore kid gloves while making the
campaign for governor against Blue Jeans
Williams. Another popularity of the con-
sequent situation in Indiana Is the evident
need of Democratic leader. In these
dreary November days 1 am reminded of
my visit here a year ago when we followed
Vice President Hendricks to his grave, as
yet without monument. He was
THE DEMOCRATIC LEADER,
and the disastrous campaign of this year is
by many Democrats blamed upon the loss of
the leader and the inability of his would be
successors. And yet Hendricks, had he
lived. would have desired Democratic de-
feat in Indiana if it could have been blamed
upon Cleveland'S policy. This would have
made Indiana solid in 1888 for Hendricks
as leader of the anti-civil service reform sec
ton of his party. But as Hendricks is dead
let us turn to the living leaders of Democ-
racy. Ex-senator Joe Mcdonald is possi-
bly, the strongest candidate for senator
should the Democrats control the legIsla-
ture Unless they unite on a candidate
their case is hopeless. Because of the ri
valry likely to ensue between Gov. Gray
and Mcdonald there is an addi-
tional cause of satisfaction to the
Republicans. Gray had calculated
upon becoming the senator had the Demo
Gratis carried everything. But Republi-
can lieutenant governor has been chosen
and the succession of Gray to Harrison's
seat in the senate means the government of
Indiana by Republican governor. Could
this be done by man of Gray's ambition
and be pleasing to the party? He is placed
in peculiar position, which does not give
him much encouragement If he cannot
win himself, why should he be so anxious
for Mcdonald to win? Because of the
small majority in the legislature it is sug-
gested that the Knights of Labor members
may turn to a third man on the Democratic
side. and this would naturally be Congress-
man Bynum, whose strength with the
organized labor voters is unquestioned. The
contest will certainly be one which will
make of the victor
A NATIONAL CHARACTER
and give him prestige for 1888 which can
not be destroyed in year. Should Har-
rison win he will go into the Republican
national convention with Indiana and much
of the Northwest in his favor for first place
and all he wanted in his favor for second
place. In fact. whether he is reelected
senator or not, Harrison is the most likely
candidate for vice president. with Blaine
for first place. Should Mcdonald, Gray or
Bynum win, it is doubtful if either would
safely aspire to be more than tail to the
Cleveland denomination. Of course tbs a far
cry to Lochaber," and there is more specu-
lation than certainty in discussing the 1888
probabilities; yet they must be recognized
and accounted for early. The situation in
Indiana to-day promises much excitement
when the assembly conveneS. To be emf
uently fair present the views Of Eb Hen
derson, chairman of the Democratic state
committee. l found him in the committee
rooms across from the Bates house, in the
old Franklin Bank building. Henderson
is famous and diiigent worker
in Democratic councils. He is not pol
ished and severe manager who aweS you
BY pretending to conceal most awful secrets.
He has wonderful geniality. which is the
one secret of his success. He reminds you
Of some country official who has come into
Office with much satisfaction to himself.
Henderson has been in politics for years and
was state auditor two terms If anything
he has made himself poor in politics and is
yet waiting patiently for an Office. AS
Mr.. Henderson explained, the legislature,
according to the returns, will have
A DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY
of two on joint ballot. The senate has
Democratic majority of twelve and the
house a Republican majority of ten. A
few Greenbackers are in this number, but
with one exception they are Democrats.
Our first conversation touched on Indiana
politics in general.
1--WE are now busly engaged in calling each
other liars and thieves
But that remains to be proven" / inter-
jected, to be pleasant.
sob, yes, but it is no trouble to prove 1t
either way in this state. There is nothing in
Indiana politics too bad for either side''
1.-The legislature will be Democratic" said
Chairman Henderson, initiating John G.
Thompson in claiming everything with con-
hdence. We propose to uphold our rights.
We will elect the United States senator. The
law and the returns are on our side and we do
not propose to yield. Our horse is in the
stable locked up, and we propose that no one
shall have the key to steal him out"
'But is there not considerable excitement
among the Republicans, and some opposition
to your plans, in your own party?'
ION the contrary, every mail brings letters
from prominent Democrats insisting that we
continue in our course. Nothing short of
wholesale theft can alter the small majority.
Our legislature convenes on Thursday, Jan.
g. and the election Of senatori is to commence
a week later. The contest cases will be taken
ND at once. From now on, in every case we
will be busy taking testimony before magis
trstes. which, of course. can be added to by
tbe election committees Of both bodies.'
THE NUMBER OF CONTESTS. u
.How many contests will there be?'
sThe Democrats have five in the senate
and two in the hOuse-Kennedy in the Rush
Hancock district, Harriss in the KokOma,
Shroyer in the LoganspOrt, Thompson in the
Rensselaer, and Mcdonald in the Lawrence
county district. Murdoch, of Lafayette, was
also making a contest, but he had it with
drawn. / don't think he has the power to do
co Any elector can bring it. and it is for the
neople. not a personal matter. The Republi
cans could have some one institute such a
contest as a blind and then have him with
draw it after the time for filing notice had
expired. The Republicans have flied contest
nsners against several representatives and
one or two senator's.
Several friends Of the chairman who were
nresent remarked that there was coinci-
denee in the fling Of Democratic contests
each one in different sections Of the state
was filed the same evening-the last day