The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-30
THE TOWNSHIP CAMPAIGN.
The Deputy Assessors To Be Utilized in
the Interest of Marsh Palmer.
Sim Coy's Endeavor to Prevent Democratic
Patrolmen from Enforcing the Saloon Laws
Because 1t Would Cause Rodgers Defeat

including the real estate appraisers there VIII
| be force this year of sixty-three engaged in
the work of assessing taxes. Each one will
come into contact with great many people,
| hence, as an assistance to the political ma
| chinery of the Democratic party its value can
not be estimated Many assessors would hest
tate to use these deputies in that way, and as
| many would fatty refuse, but Assessor Messick,
of Center township, neither hesitates nor re-
| fuses to utilize his sixty-three assistants in
| supporting the Democrat who wants
to be his successor. Marshall Palm
| er, whose political shortcomings thus
far consist in hating the Union soldier, opposi-
ton to union Of trades and an indifference to the
| church vote, is the candidate, and now holds
responsible position under Messick. II the ap-
| pointment of deputies this year Palmers candi-
dacy has been the one thing looked after, and
| last night this fragrant misuse Of official power
eliminated in remarkable meeting.
Friday and Saturday postal cards were sent
by Assessor Messick to all deputies who were
| known to be friendly to Palmer calling them to
meet him last evening in the coroner's Office at
the courthouse. Between forty and fifty re-
sponded. and with them Journal reporter, who
was accosted by Palmer with "You don't expect
to get into this meetings"
II do If it concerns the publtcp
swell it don't This is to be private meet
ing"
YES said Assessor Messck, at is to be
little caucus. want to talk some to the dep
uties.n
With this the reporter retired, having, in ad-
dition, the information he had gathered from
othersources Thursday next the deputy assessors
to begin distributing their taxlists. This will
give them three days-four, if Sunday is includ-
ed-in which to reach many taxpayers as
possible before the election With the dstribu-
ton Of tax lists each Democratic assessor-and
| they are all Democratic, except the
halfdozen who were not invited to
the meeting-will be able to call attention
to Palmer's desire to be assessor. 1t can be con-
veniently impaired to taxpayers by this means,
that if they favor Palmer henceforward and vote
for him the kindness will be remembered by the
deputy in not inquiring too earnestly into the
correctness OF returns. but If they are to vote
for Quill. whether or no, then it will be neces-
sary to scrutinize returns with great care Brief
ly, the first three days of their work in the serv-
ice of the people, for which they are to be paid
out Of the county's money, is to be utilized in
electioneering for Palmer. The meeting was of
an hours duration, and at its close every deputy
walked down stairs with an air of Importance.
Assessor Messick was asked by the reporter to
tell what they had done in caucus.
ITO be frank" said he II told them to do all
they could for Marshall Palmer: I also inn
pressed on them to be on hand Wednesday, to
qualify for their work. That was all.
"All the deputies were not PRESENT.
mo, none but Democrats"
It is probable that the meeting was called,
also, to find out who among the sixty three as
sistant assessors are friends of Palmer. There
is division among Democrats on this candidate,
and no doubt every one present was pledged to
vote for Mess;ck's candidate lest his place would
be filled by some one more subservient to the
assessors wishes
That Sim Coy looks upon the dismissal of
Lang as having been made purely for his bene-
fit and those who follow his leadership in trying
to elect Rodgers, is illustrated by his action
Sunday. Sim has an impression that he and he
alone is now the principal factor in managing
the force, and while many saloon keepers are
inclined to accept the late instructions on the
II o'clock Sunday laws without question, he is
industriously circulating the theory that the
talk of the Commissioners is only to effect a
temporary scare Sunday he drove up and
down Washington street on the
watch for policemen. Whenever he
saw one of his political party he called him to
the side of the buggy and talked to him in this
way s'rhe Commissioners and ODonnell don't
mean what they say when they talk about en-
forcing the liquor laws. You'd better be care
full Now, If was in your place. wouldn't
rush this thing too fast Go slow, is my advice.
/ wouldn't make arrest, for / know very well
that there is 60 idea of living up to the instruc
tions. If you 60 to work and arrest every fellow
selling liquor to-day you will not only have the
boys down on you, bat get into trouble with the
superintendent and Commissioners Go slow,
say, and it will be all right Why, if those laws
| are enforced now. Rodgers will be defeated 1t
will cost as every liquor vote in the city. Mind
what tell YOU"
This conversation occurred on East Washing
ton street. near Sam Dinnins, and Sim, with
Rodgers's interests bearing weghtily upon him,
turned his horse to the west and drove rapidly
across the river to brighten another policeman
from enforcing the law according to the instruc-
tions of the Commissioners and Superintendent
O'Donnell.
DIR. Edenharter, Democratic councilman,
knight of Labor. poor-house physician, and
| candidate for Mayor, was asked yesterday about
| the campaign.
"Oh, we will elect Rodgers by 500 majority"
| ''You are modest in your estimates. The ma
iority is lifted about 500 every day, and, at the
| rate it is now being raised, by Saturday night
his claim will doubtless reach 20, 000.'
s'That is all nonsense-this claiming that
| Rodgers has q walkover. have known MANY
| feat He is frst-rate man, hail-fellow we'll
| met and who makes friends rapidly. He is
making too many of them for Rodgers to regard
| his own election sure"
| A Republican who has given the township
| trustee canvass some attention, and is able to
draw intelligent conclusions from what he has
seen and heard, explained the situation yester-
| day in this way:
II see no reason why Many should not be
elected"
| What do you base your predictions onl"
II am interested in this contest only as Re-
| publican, and as one of o great number of citi-
zens including the better class of Democrats
| who want the trustees books turned over to
/ some one not In sympathy partisan with
| Ktz This wish alone is influencing g largo
vote for Many. When taxpayers realize that