The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-29
THE DEMOCRATIC CANVASS.
Little Interest Manifested in the Result
Of the Contest Between Candidates.
The Indications as to Who Are Most Likely
To Be the NOminees-Gossip of the Poll
ticians About the Aspirants.

Although many Of the asprants for nomina-
ton on the Democratic State ticket have been
making an active canvass for eight months or
more it is matter Of comment that compare
lively little interest in the result of the contest
has been aroused. A prominent Demo
cratic politician remarked to a Journal
reporter yesterday, that there seemed to be
more indifference among the people regarding
the success or failure of the ofice-seekers than
he had known in any previous canvass for years.
The disruption of the party resulting from fac
tional fights is suggested as the cause of some,
distraction from personal interests but the
apathy that seems to prevail it is claimed, is not
solely due to this. Democratic politicians,
less candid than polite, attribute the lack of in
terest to a growing disposition among the people
to discourage prolonged fights for Office, while
others are frank enough to say that they think
the discouraging experience of the thousands of
Democrats who have failed to get Office under the
new administration has much to do with the
matter.
The gossip about the candidates, and the can
yass now in progress indicates that the ticket,
when nominated, is quite likely to read about as
follows:
For Secretary of Slater W. Miers of Monroe
county
For Auditor of State-Charles A. Munson, of Allen.
For Treasurer-Thomas b. Byrnes, of Vanderburg.
For Attorney-general-Hugh d. McMuilen, of
Dearborn.
For Judge of the Supreme Court--John r. Coffroth,
For olerz of the Supreme Court-Martin T. Krue-
ger, of LaPorte.
For Superintendent of Public Instructicn-John
w. Holcombe, of Marion
Miers, who ia regarded as the leading candi-
date for the nomination for State secretary, is
young man, and is now q circuit judge, having
been appointed by Governor Gray to fill va
cancy caused by death. Myron D. King, the
present assistant Secretary of State is doubtless
more popular than Miers, but the fight be-
tween the several candidates from this county
for the support of the delegates, as is gen.
orally admitted, is likely to cause the defeat not
only of King and Jordan for the position at the
head OF the ticket but also of Cas- Byfeld and
Richard Conner for the nomination for clerk Of
the Supreme Court
The fight between Munson and Pitzer for the
nomination for auditor is probably exciting more
interest than any Of the other contests Munson
Is believed to be in the lead, but Ptzer is very
formidable candidate He has mGas-~2me mis-
takes IL is said. in the last two weeks. however.
which are operating greatly to his disadvantage,
and are likely to be the cause of his defeat
garded as entirely beyond doubt. His only
opponent is John H. Piercy. druggist of
Greencastle, who was deputy State Auditor
under both General Manson and Eb Henderson,
and is well known to the politicians of the State.
While McMullen is regarded as the leading
man In the contest for the nomination for
Attorney general. he has a rather formidable
opponent in the person of eX-State Senator Kent,
of Clinton county, who is working under the
disadvantage, however, of being the resident of
a hat has fhraa dat vyh
will be presented to the State convention.
There is about an even division of opinion as
to whether the nomination for Supreme Court
judge will fall to John r. Coffroth of Lafayette,
or Judge T. +. Davidson, of Charlottesville. The
friends of the latter are quite confident of his
nomination, while the supporters of Coffroth
claim for him an advantage.
A spirited fight is being mtce for the nomina-
ton for Clerk of the Supreme Court, but
the candidacy of Martin T. Kruger, the young
German who represented LaPorte county in
the last Legislature, seems to overshadow that
of his competitors He has an extensive per-
sonal acquaintance, and Is rather popular while
his nationality and his geographical location
give him strong claims upon the nomination.
Although Marion county has two candidates for
the nomination for clerk, Byfeld and Conner,
it ia claimed by Krueger's friends that he
will get large vote from the delegation on the
first ballot. j. NJ Taylor auditor of Washing
ton county. is regarded as his most formidable
opponent but McMullen, as an aspirant for
Attorney general, will, it is claimed get him out
of the way before the convention meets. J. w.
Howk, superintendent of Jay county, is also q
candidate for the nomination.
Dale j. Crittenberger. superintendent of Mad
ison county, but formerly Assistant Secretary of
State, has been mentioned a candidate for the
nomination for Superintendent of Public In
struction, but has decided to withdraw, and
William Sweeney, of Dubois county, will be the
only opponent of Superintendent Holcombe in
the convention.