The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-12
SEVENTH DISTRICT CONVENTION.

Thirteenth District-L. w. ROYCE of Warsaw.
SEVENTH DISTRICT CONVENTION.
Dan NJ Ransd ell Re- Elected Committeeman
Speech by Senator Harrison.
For an hour and half yesterday there was in
Superior Court room No. 2 a very lively meeting
Of Republicans. 1t was liveliness without dis
sension, and interest without factional friction,
the occasion being the work of the Seventh
district convention in electing member of the
State central committee. The election merely
did not require much time, but the large attend
ance filing the floor and gallery wanted some
thing more, and that in the way of speeches.
They did not believe that the party in Indiana
had lost its great power, nor did
they think there was particular need
of encouragement as every one seemed
to be wide awake, jealous. courageous and anx-
ious to have the work of redeeming the State
begin. Applause and huzzahs were on the sur
face, and only required neatly-turned period.
or weIlshaped truth to bring them out in full
volume. It was such meeting as one likes to
see and enjoy.
After the call of the delegates roll, with Dan
As"hSAOAA
rotary, it was found that no precinct of the
district was without representation A contest
in the second precinct Of the Fourteenth ward
was referred to committee for settlement,
after which, by reclamation. the convention
chose Judge William r. Hough, Of Hancock
county, president, and Granville S. Wright, of
this city. secretary, with the following assist
| ants: VIM. Randall. of Hancock, A. c. Ryan,
of Madison, and D. L. Wilson. of Shelby.
Judge Hough on taking the chair, thanked the
delegates for this evidence of an unexpected par
TALLY. He regarded it as an expression OF faith
in him as one who believes that the Republican
party has not accomplished its mission. Nor
will it be accomplished as long as right and
wrong. loyalty and disloyalty exist There is
work for the party to do notwithstanding the
people have for the last twenty years been
told that its mission was at an end; that the Of
fees were filled by scoundrels, and that the only
honest men of the country were Democrats.
They have been told that the only thing neces
sary to secure prosperity to the country was TO
give power to the Democrats. The people
suffered from this delusion but they
are now waking up to find
no evidences of the promised
prosperity. The Democrats have had the ad-
selves and the press of the country are crying
halt 1t has been shown that many Offices
have gone to dead-peats, but the people are be-
ginning to realize their mistake. An important
work is to be done in this State this year. 1t
will be difficult. on account of the outrageous
gerrynandering of the legislative and congress
sional districts, but he believed success could be
won. The first element of that success is to re-
turn Benjamin Harrison to the United States
Senate.
yoice-And wa will do H.
Loud applause followed the close Of the gen.
tleman's speech, after which came the election
of State central com mitteeman. Charles L. Hol-
stein moved the election of D. III. Ransdell
Governor Porters name was also suggested but
a gentleman said he knew this was done without
authority, and, on his own responsibility, with
drew it. Shelby county came in for Mr.. Rams
dell, although it was stated that instructions
had been given the delegates to support Mr.
Niles. Mr.. Ransdeli became the committeeman
by unanimous vote.
Mr.. Ransdell, after returning thanks for the
honor paid him, said that this is year when
party men cannot afford to enter into a.
contest with each other. The enemy is in ofic
and holds the machinery, hence all personal and
factional differences must be relegated
to obscuriry Under the apportion-
ment OF legislative and congressional
districts it was designed that no Republican
should ever again represent the central distric
of the State in Congress.
A voice-It shan't be true.
Everything is possible with the Republican
party, he continued, after Legislature like the
last has sought to suppress the vote of maiortles
In this campaign the best men should ba nomi-
mated. and with them victory can be secured
The speaker found an enthusiastic appreciation
of his remarks.
Senator Harrison was then introduced. and
welcomed with continued applause. He said it
was genuine surprise to him to learn, that morn
ing, when between Shelbyville and Indianapolis,
that he was expected to address the convention.
But the heartiness of his reception put him at
ease. and if he were called upon TO make excuses
for being absent from the Senate chamber at
this time, he would have fear in saying that
after continued and arduous work there ex-
tending through the Christmas holidays. he
wanted day or twos rest. He was greatly
chsered at the evidences of jealous interest
shown in the convention, and he believed this
interest could be found IN every part of the
State
In the last campaign the Republican party had
been defeated on false issues fale pretenses in
the North and violent suppression of votes in the
South. Lately in the debate on the Dakota bill
he had occasion to refer to South Carolina where
nearly one-half of the voting population
was deprived of its right The same is true of
other States. For quarter of a century the
Republican party controlled the administration
but personal and local jealouses sprung up
throughout the country. The party had within
it descriptive forces working from the center out
ward. but he was glad 70 say that the influences
today are from the outside workin towards the
center, binding the party together and transfer
ring the disruptive forces TO the Democracy.
the postoffce. The people were told in the last
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