The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-13
RYNUMISM.


The convulsive attempts of the Sentinel to
get Hon. A. G. Harris out of the race for Con-
gress is only another evidence, If, indeed, 9TH
er evidence be needed of the total demorali
zation existing among the supporters Of Mr..
Bynum. Although this congressional district
was gerrymandered to secure Democratic
Congressman, the case of Mr.. Bynum seems
to have reached straits Of desperation. And
well it may. Mr.. Bynum is not representa-
tive Democrat. He u.s. as the Sentinel said, in an
honest outburst of indignation, about two weeks
ago, "wholly unworthy the confidence of his
party" and has "prostituted his honor as
Democrat" His political methods may be
characterized as infamous. He endeavored to
dominate the first congressional convention by
fraud, and for three months thereafter many
trict were in open revolt against him. It is
freely charged by members of his own
party that he secured the nomination at the
second convention by bribery. 1t is certain
that his success in that convention was largely
due to the efforts of those henchmen whom the
Sentinel so graphically describes as "swag-
gering about the streets and public places,
vilifying everybody who showed an inclina-
ton to require of Mr.. Bynum an exhibition
of common political decency." By the APP
pointment of such men to Office, Mr.. Bynum
has done more to prostitute the public service
in this State, and to bring the name of Indi-
ana into contempt than any other man in it.
A public officer, like other persons, must be
known and judged by the company he keeps.
Mr.. Bynum has made an alliance, offensive
and defensive, with bribers, penitentiary con-
victs, jail-birds, drunkards, and the gutter
.snipe of politics generally. Instead of using
his official patronage to the interest of his
constituents, he has passed over reputable
Democrats and appointed to Office such men
as the following
JAMES T. DowLING-Mail clerk. A self con-
fessed briber. Drunk both on and off duty
Absent from the service four weeks. s'set-
BARNEY CoNRoY-Mail agent. Served two
terms in the penitentiary. Convicted twice
of grand larceny, once of highway robbery,
also of assaulta and battery, and drunkenness
MARLEY-Postmaste at Bridgeport. Ex-con-
vict.
A. M. KUHN-Surveyor Of customs. Charged
on affidavit with offering bride of 5000 to
councilman to secure his vote for city at
torneY. AS school commissioner contracted
in violation of law to supply coal to public
schools. Worked night and day for Bynum,
ever since the latter began his effort for re.
nomination, IN caucus, on the street, in
conventions, and defes the Presidents last
order. One of his deputies, Fred Kissell,
keeps beer saloon across Fall creek Both
his deputies Kissell and Mueller, have
worked night and day for Bynum.
o. T. Wells, R. P. Corey, Richard Mus
tard, Charles H. Rogers, Philip II. Wolf, and
other mail clerks, who secured their appoint
ments through Mr.. Bynum, were off their runs
on full pay, Setting up" delegations for him.
The above are prominent examples of Mr..
Bynum's appointees, and the way he has
worked the civil service for his own interest
But this is not all. He is publicly accused
by Democrats of being the inspiration of the
ballot-box stuffing in Hancock county at his
election in 1884. Is it to be wondered at,
then, that prominent and responsible Demo
Gratis were FESTIVE under the boss rule of such
man and such "ring9' 1t is not possible
that the Democracy of this district intend to
indorse by reelection such man and such a
record.