The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-08-01
WHY HE WITHDREW.
Col. Robertson's Attitude Largely Respon-
sible for the Move.

Col. Robertson's Attitude Largely Respon-
sible for the Move.
There can be no doubt that the attitude of
Col. Robertson was largely responsible for
Gov Porter's withdrawal. The history of the
affair is interesting.
Col. Robertson has felt that the party mana
gers have not treated him fairly for a number
of years. When Harrison was substituted for
Ortiz as candidate for governor in 1876 Col.
Robertson naturally felt aggrieved. W hen he
got out of the way for Porter in 1880 and was
promised the marshalship, which he never got,
he was aggrieved some more. Minor griev-
ances since that time have been almost too
numerous TO mention. This year the colonel
said he proposed TO have the nomination which
had so often been promised him, and he didn't
propose again TO stand aside. When Porter
was mentioned the gentleman from Fort Wayne
lost no time in pointing out the fact that
Porter had repeatedly declined on the ground
that others were deserving (COl. Robertson
among the number) and in showing that the
ex-governor could not accept without stultify
Ing himself and proving treacherOus to other
gentlemen who had made the canvass in the
best of faith. Col RObertsOn's vigorous war
fare has succeeded in placing Mr.. Porter in
such an uncomfortable position that the letter
TO Senator johnson was the only logical way
out of the difficulty.
The history Of the affair from the Harrison
entertaining When the Harrison canvass be-
gan Porter was a sort of bugabOo to the man.
ayers. His fealty TO the grandson was even
more than questioned. He was known as an
ardent admirer OF Judge Gresham, and it
feared that this admiration might lead to
unpleasant complications at Chicago. But the
masses OF the people wanted the ex-governor
20 head the delegation, and when Porter agreed
TO obey the instructions OF the state con-
ventlon the machine could do no more
AErw, -. ILL.,
thing that worried the bosses was the fact that
Harrison was VIGOROUSLY weak with the work
tngmen, just where Porter was believed TO be
strong Therefore he must head the state ticket
IN order to pull the national ticket through.
But he would have none of it; and in despera-
ton the date OF the state convention was post
pOned till Aug. s, to permit of pressure being
brought to bear 70 induce him to accept
After the Chicago convention, at which Por-
ter made decidedly Garfeldian speech in pre-
senting Harrison's name, the machine was more
than ever displeased with him, but Harrison
was unpopular with the laboringmen and some
thing must be done. Porter was more than
ever a necessity.
Then began the work of getting him into
line. His ambitions in the direction of the ma
tional senate and the attorney-generalship were
appealed to, and Tor a time 1t seemed certain
that he would accept The bosses even talked
knowingly OF having his assurance that if the
nomination came so unanimously and appar-
Shuy spontaneously ~ 70 nave the seeming OF
a party command, il would be accepted. The
machinery was set in motion and everything
was in readiness to carry out the programme.
In the meantime Mr. Porter had been doing
some investigating on his own responsibility.
He looked over the field and discovered that
the chances for republican success were not
very good and he publicly expressed views
very much to that effect TO the delegation of
visiting Illinois Black Eagles.
Then came Robertson. His liberal quoting
of Mr.. Porter's numerous declarations was any
thing but agreeable, and at the last minute that
gentleman concluded to get out gracefully,
which he did by his letter to Senator johnson.