The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-15
Infamous and Unjustifiable Attempt to
Rob Senator Shroyer of His Seat.
EnscrupuOus Methods by Which Democrats
Hope TO Get Control Of the Legislature
Anxiety of the Marion County Rascals.
SCHEMES OF THE POLITICIANS.
RascaiIy Methods OF Democrats for Getting
Control of the Leg islature.


this winter. With an assumption of regret they
express this view and ostensiby wish the con-
ditions were otherwise, but the under purpose is
too prominent to enable them to conceal their
insiucerity in this regard. They have been
watching their alleged majority On joint ballot
with keenness that promises turmoil. but
weakness occurs in the only plan they have
been enabled to form thus far by the unwilling
ness of Murdoch, of Tippecanoc, and
Daniels. of Cass county, to pursue contests in
their own behalf. When Meagher, of Vigo. ad
mitted that he had fully qualified for the Office
of justice of the peace it took from the schem-
ers the only tenable ground of defense In as
Stunning that Meagher was elected to no Office be-
cause the County Commissioners had abolished
the position he was to have. they felt it to be
weak defense, one that would not stand before the
record and hence it became absolutely necessary
to attempt high handed game of bluff. Notwith-
standing Mr.. Henderson's assertion that they
had an offset for Meagher in the Mackey case,
It was arranged to build up reserve of uuten-
able contests This held Senator VOORHEES,. ex-
Senator Mcdonald, John E. Lamb and others in
close consultation Thursday, Friday and Satur-
day, eliminating in the fling Of the seven con-
tests against members of the Senate and four
against members of the House
There ia no weil-deined purpose to push any
of them except in o certain contingency. The
indifference OF Murdoch and Daniels to the part
they were strongly urged to play in this scheme
caused a great deal of trouble which was
not lessened by some jurist among the conspra-
tors giving it az his opinion that while the Re-
publicans had filed but four contests, they
would probably take advantage OF a technicalitv
10 the Law and produce unexpected con tests after
the Legislature began its session. Exception
was take'. to this view of the law governing con-
Tests on the ground that the statute was explicit
In requiring the papers to be filed with the coun-
~ clerk within ten days after the election That
mGy be true,' remarked the object
or "out the Republicans may raise
the question that legislator is
in fact State officer and the statutes say,
when an elector may choose to contest the cleo
tion of Eny State officer. elected BY the people,
he shall, within twenty days after the first day
Of the, next session of the General Assembly
thereafter, deliver to the presiding officer of the
House of Representatives specifications of the
grounds of such contest"
This appeared to the. scnerners in the light of
probability, and while number held to the IL
legality of such a proceeding on the basis of leg
islative contests being provided for by different
section, all conceded it to be point of danger
It became necessary, then, to strengthen the re-
serve OF contests aud decide thatifsueh wholesale
system of contests should he attempted by the
Republican majority in the House. they, with
their Democratic majority in the Senate, would
pnseat as many Republicans there were un-
seated Democrats in the House
Saturday afternoon, Murdock, at Lafayette,
Endorsed on the back Of his contest petition:
NOVEMBER Is. 1886.
thereby dismiss this contest.
Francis Johnson editor of the Amerikaner,
in that city and a Democrat Influenced Muir
dock it is said, to take this action The mana
gers havo endeavored to have him stand By his
petition, but Democratic sentiment in Tippeca-
poe shaped largely by Johnson, forced him to
decline the overtures of the schemers.
They succeeds, it is thought. much better
with Daniels, of Cass, who came here late Sat-
urday evening to consult with Henderson. 1t
was his wish to draw cut OF the trouble. believ-
ing that he had 40 substantial case This con.
test, with others of like character is to be used
for the protection OF Meagher, and, incidentally
with the hope Of strengthening the seats of Beas-
ley Mock and other Democrats claiming tenure
There is no talk about Beasley and as to Mock
Democrat said, last plight. There is doubtless
. good case against him" Meagher. the protega
of Lamb, appears to be the central point of de-
Tense, and every effort will be made to save him,
even if the present plan must give way for some
thing more audacious.
Closely allied to this is the hope Of breaking
the Knights of Labor support secured by Re-
puelcaus, It is indus;riously circulated By
SOME rabid young Democrats, not altogether
within the inner circle OF the conspirators,
that Knights elected by Republicans will bolt
the caucus in certain event One of them
sara this 10 the hearing of Democratic poll
Wcian or experience. You are a fool. he re-
Piled; the hniGhts will do no such thing but
modification of his statement was withheld.
for II Is known that the speaker is now engaged
in developing the scheme to place the Knights
OF Labor votes in the hands of Mcdonald In
the State there is an organization Of working
men known as the Federation. 1t is like the
local Central Trades Union, and, day or two
ago. an attempt was made TO have the Federa-
tion called together for the 2Sth OF this month so
as to give Mcdonald formal workingmans in
doreement The effort was sauclched, and if there
isR meeting it will be attended by Democrats un
der the leadership of Democrat who, tho
Knights of Labor say, has no authority to rep-
resent them, since his connection with his local
assembly and the trades union has been inyolun-
tarily severed. Amy attempt. said Knight
last night ''of Democratic politicians to commit
rs, as order. to Mcdonald or any other Dem
ocrat, will fail We did not ask candidates.
even those of our order, how they would vote
Tor United States Senator AS to that they
are held to no pledges. Republican Knights
viii remain steadfast TO their caucus and the
same can be said of Democratic Knights
Mnile there IS no oreanizei movement in the
AhsSL9SS -? nuin ~ - not haFu TO fn0 lem
ocFatic Knight Or labor to say that there will
be. This is recognized by the Mcdonald men,
all Of whom are engaged in the conspiracy of
contests Governor Gray is taking no forward
Interest but he has been In the evening for
the past day or two about the Grand Hotel He
does not hold any connection with the secret
conferences. but he has had friend or two
rot far away !, to keep him in
formed of the senatorial proclivities of
his party 1t appears 10 the Mcdonald people
en easy matter to get rid of the Governors
aspirations, and it ia understood it viii he done
by instrnctinE all Democratic Senators opposed
to the elevation Of the Governor TO the United
States Senate TO vote with the Republicans in
crushing Green Smiths preposterous ambition.
Nhe Democrats feel that they have about all
they can conveniently manage and if their party