The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-29
BYNUM DEFENDS CREELMAN
He Says that His Friend Is Not Respon-
sible for the Recent Scandal.
The Congressman Fixes the Blame for Con-
roy's Appointment on the State officers
What They Have to Say.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2S.-Representative By
mum, owing to the continued illness of Postmas-
ter-general Villas, will not recommend sue
cessor to Bernard Conroy. mail clerk at the
Union Depot. Indianapolis, till next week. He
has not yet concluded who shall be appointed
To the Journal correspondent, to day, Mr.. By
mum said that the effort of some of those who
had signed Conroy's petition to shift the re-
sponsibility of his appointment upon Frank
Creelman was weak substerfuge. las mat
ter of fact" said Mr.. Bynum, "Creelman did
not recommend Conroy at all, and never asked
me, or anybody else that / know Of, to appoint
Conroy, and furthermore did not know that
Conroy was in Creelman's employ till after his
appointment. relied solely, in requesting his
preferment at the Postofice Department upon
the representations made in the petition signed
by the State officers and others, and published
in yesterdays Journal"
Representative Bynum says that the assertion
made by some of the State officers who signed
Conroy's petition that their petition in favor of
James Renihan for the collectorship of customs
at indianapolis was ignored by him, is untrue
that the petition was addressed to and received
by Senator Voorhees,, and did not come to his
tMr. Bynums) notice till after Kuhn was ap-
pointed. Indiana Democrats here believe Mr..
Bynum is putting Conroy's official friends at
Indianapolis in hole
When the above dispatches were read to Au-
ditor of State Rice last night that gentleman
said: II do not know what Bynum relied on,
but this do know, it is the only appointment he
has made where the names of the State officers
were on the petition. We have signed numer-
Gus petitions and must confess, carelessly at
times, but this it appears is the only one Bynum
saw fit to take any cognizance Of" When asked
in reference to the Renihan matter Mr. Rice
could give no direct view as TO Mr. Bynum's
knowledge of it previous to the
appointment of Mr.. Kuhn 1t is understood
by others. though. that Bynum not only knew of
Renihan's petition but had assured that anpl
cant he would secure him the appointment He.
the statement upon reliable authority goes.
requested Renihan to keep quiet about his appli
cation, as he, Bynum, wanted all the credit of
giving him the place.
70 Secretary of State Myers also, was sub
mitted the Bynum statements set forth in the
dispatches In this connection He did
not know what influence caused Bynum
to make the appointment, but" said
he. when | called on Frank Creelman.
Friday last, he appeared in high good
humor, and with all the Importance possible,
claimed that he alone had secured an appoint
ment for some one. He told me that on account
of this appointment being made he would need
driver. and could probably give the position to
the man for whom requested work. The State
officers signed Conroys petition, but did it inno-
Gently. However, the thing is done and can't
be undone. The effect will be seen in the gen
eral windup. do not know anything as to the
Renihan petition. Mr.. Bynum's assertion in
that connection may be all right as far as I can
say"
Said prominent Democrat to Journal re-
porter: How is it you have made no special
reference to the fact that Oscar B. Hord's name
headed the list of Conroy's indorsers! His was
the very first name on the list Not only that,
but l happen to know that he wrote
very warm letter of Endorsement
for Barney. Mr.. Creelman told the latter
when he presented his petition to 60 back and
get personal letter from Mr.. Hord, and that it
would do more good than any other petition he
could possibly obtain, by reason of that gentle
mans prominence. and he did SO. Mr.
Hord lives in the Thirteenth ward,
and which votes co0rJ in did the the wo same o.
don't know anything about how intimate per-
sonal acquaintance they enjoyed, but it is not
reasonable to presume that Mr.. Hord would
write such letter Tor man he did not know at
all. is it? He has been rather facilitating him
self upon having escaped the attentions of the
newspapers"
There is a current rumor to the effect that
Conroys hold upon Bynum and Creelman was
gained some time ago. by certain piece of
work of a peculiar character, and that he got the
appointment the result of direct threat to
talk right out in meeting" in case he was not
Immediately recognized
There is ore thing that can be safely counted
on" said another Democratic statesman of local
prominence, 'and that is that the State officers
will take an active hand in the next COMPRESSION
al convention. and if necessary to defeat
Bynum, they would get right out on the
floor and electioneer delegates for all
there was in it. They are about as
mad set of men as ever saw, over the way
Bynum has sought to shield himself and Creel-
man at their expense and that gentleman can
make up his mind to be perfectly satisfied with
one term in Congress. He will have their united
influence to fight in case he determines to make
another race