The Indianapolis journal., 1886-07-21
| HOPELESS DISRUPTION.
Democratic Politicians Meet to Discuss
the Dangers of the Party's Defeat.
The State Committee Decides that 1t Cannot
Interfere in the Congressional Fights
State Convention To Be Held Aug, Ii.

There was a decided aggregation of talent
in attendance at the meeting of the Democratic
State central committee yesterday After sta
tioning Will Peelle at the door to keep out the
unelect, Mr. Henderson announced recess, and
general meeting Of Democrats to discuss the
outlook for the party and other
things near to the Democratic heart
was organized with Judge Franklin, of
Owen county, in the chair. Governor Gray.
ex-senator Mcdonald, William H. English; J. E.
Mccullough, of Princeton John E. Lamb; Mar
tir Kruger OF LaPorte; Gerard Reiter, of Vim
cennes; Thomas Byrne of Evansville, and many
other Democrats from various parts of the
State We're present. The Congressional dis
tricts were called in their order. and reports
made from each. ]. E. Mccullough, from the
First district in which he is one Of
the candidates for Congress, took
rosy view of the situation there
From his speech it would never have been
supposed that any bolt had been made from the
convention which nominated him. Other per-
sons spoke for remaining districts in the State,
the Eighth being represented by John E. Lamb.
He was about the only man in the meeting who
could safely snap his fingers at bolters and he
said they ought to be sent to the rear suddenly.
The other candidates present who had feelings
on this subject vented them by loudly applaud
ing this sentiment from Mr.. Lamb.
Messrs Mcdonald, W. H. English, Isaac P.
Gray and J. B. Maynard spoke for the Seventh
district. At the last meeting of the comRittee
only the Presidents civil-service reform policy
y
ness. At yesterdays meeting the feeling on this
matter had largely died out in the face of a new
danger in six of the congressional districts of the
State.
Ex-senator Mcdonald said that while the
people were. perhaps, divided as to the expedi-
ency of President Cleveland's civilservice reform
policy, yet no one questioned his honesty, and
the fact was apparent that the administration
was much better than Republican administra-
ton If the business men of the country were
consulted it would be found that Cleveland was
very strong with them. The outlook, he thought,
was very favorable to the Democrats of Indiana.
In conclusion, he said significantly, In speaking
of the congressional troubles: 'They will all be
settled"
Governor Gray thought there was nothing
alarming in the situation, and that the Demo
Gratis would elect their ticket by an increased
majority He assumed that the party would put
down the efforts of all ambitious individuals to
disorganize and disrupt the party, though he did
not inform the meeting who those individuals
were.
William H. English and J. B. Maynard were
the only speakers who did not think Ihe prospect
was pleasing to the Democratic heart Mr.. En-
glish thought the local troubles in several dis
tricts were factors that BODIED no good to the
State ticket, and urged that prompt and decisive
action be taken to bring about a settlement of
the troubles. 1t was useless to deny that in the
Seventh district the breach was very wide, and
that the utmost discretion and party 10y
atty would be necessary to harmonic
the differences. He commended the ability and
integrity of President Cleveland stating that his
enforcement of the civil-service law, which
seemed SO obnoxious to many partisans. was but
a conscientious effort to enforce the law as he
foundsIt on the statute books and to carry out
the pledges of the Democratic platform. Mr..
English thought the civil-service law was i'm
practicable and undemocratic, and that the ap-
pointees should be in full sympathy with the
appointing power. PUT none but friends on
guard" was his motto.
Colonel Maynard said the split in the Seventh
district was serious, and if the personal ambi
tons of certain men were such as to blind them
to party success, higher power should be called
in to settle the trouble.
Editor Strickland, of the Hancock Jefferson
ian, Bynum man, stoutly maintained that
there was no division or difficulty in this dis
trict.
The committee went into executive session
late in the afternoon and wrestled till o'clock
with, the matters before them. A formal call
was issued to the voters of Indiana desiring to
cooperate with the Democracy TO participate in
the selection of delegates to State convention.
to be held in this city, at 10 oc:ock
A. NJ, Wednesday, Aug. IL. The
ratio of representation was fixed at one
delegate for each 200 votes for Governor Gray
in 1884, and one for each fraction over 100 The
total number of delegates will be ,23l. and GIG
L
will be held in the City Hail. number of
Democrats last night expressed the opinion that
the number of delegates was too large and that
the convention would be unwiedy.
The congressional troubles throughout the
State were the source of much discussion. 1t
was agreed that the committee had no authority
to settle the troubles. The following resolutions
were adopted.
Resolved That the executive committee be and is
hereby authorized to prepare plan of organization
for the party within the State with rules and regula
tions governing all conventions and also all contro
versies which may exist arise Said plans shall be
submitted to the State central committee at lis next
meeting for review and amendment and the result OF
said committees work to be submitted to the State
convention for consideration and adoption.
In reference to existing difficulties, the follow
ing was unanimously adopted:
Whereas Dssensions exist in certain congressional
districts of this State and the State central commit
tee at present organized being without authority
to act in the premises,
Resolved That the subject be referred to the State
convention to take such steps may be deemed wise
and just to secure harmony and unity of action in
said districts, IL such of them may have ad
usted such dssensions prior to the assembling of the
State convention.
Governor Gray was elected a member of the
committee from the Sixth district and J. G.
Odell was chosen committeeman from the Tenth,
vice A. B. Champion. resigned. All the mem
bers of the committee, with the exception of the
late committeeman from these districts were
present
The executive committee of the State central
commltte met also during the afternoon. ex-
Senator Mcdonald and State Auditor Rice, only,
being present. Francis T. Hord was elected