The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-23
DICK BR1ear ON GRAY.
His Reasons for Opposing Isaac's Vice-Presi-
Dental Aspirations.

His Reasons for Opposing Isaac's vice-Presi-
Dental Aspirations.
New York Special.
Col Dick Bright, of Indiana. formerly Ser
Reant-atrarms of the United States Senate, is
one of the best know Democrats of his State.
He was met here to-day at the Flfth-avenue
Hotel and asked about Indiana Democratic poll
tics as they relate TO the coming national cam
paiqn, when he replied II out OF politics.
except that desire the success of the Demo
cratic party through clean methods and reputable
leaders"
Twill Indiana Democrats present . candidate
for Vice PRESIDENT
II hope not, because the State that takes the
Vice presdenfs place, II the ticket Is elected Is
put off by the administration with that place.
while TO the workers of party in a State Cabi-
net position. or even bureau office, is of most
practical benefit Another reason 10 that the
present Governor, Isaac P. Gray, having OBJ
tanned control of the machinery of the party,
7ril probably be presented for the posi- ton. and,
III my Judgment. his nomination may cost US
Indiana, and certainly would cost us New
York"
why would this loss Be the result Of Gray's
nomination."
Chiefly because of his political career. and,
in part. because of his methods since he came
into the Democratic party"
has he not always bsen DemocratW
NO. In his young days in Ohio, where he
was born, he was Know-nothing and president
of the village Know-nothing lodge. After he
came to Indiana he intense, rabc radi-
cal Republican. He prosecuted Democrats
through the war and long after it was over. But
this ls not all. When the fifteenth amendments
to the federal Constitution was before the coun-
try for ratification rejection Governor Gray
was Republican member OF the Indiana SEN
ate from Randolph county. At the last end of
the session of the Legislature of 1869. when IL
was known that that measure was to be put
through the Legislature under gag rule, along
with other improper measures, the Democratic
members of both houses of the Legislature
resigned and placed their designations in the
hands of Governor Baker. This action was
taken the day before the last day of the
session. The whole Republican scheme
outrageous that the Republican Lieutenant-gov-
ernor, Colonel Cumback, refused be a party
to it, and left the Capitol, he knew officially
that there was quorum of the Senate left.
The next day Senator Gray, who President
pro tenn. of the Senate, called the body to order.
refused to order roI-call, ordered the Sergeant
alarms TO lock the doors. and put upon it's pass
age the resolution ratifying the adoption of the
fifteenth amendment To *he federal Constitu-
ton Several of the resigned Democratic Sena-
tors were in the Senate Chamber packing up
their papers when the doors were locked, and
they were counted in order 10 make a quorum,
nroteated that they were not mem bers. and that
no legal quorum was present Gray, IS presid-
ing officer, refused to hear their protests, and
declared the resolution adopted, and so certified
in the Senate Journal though the Brewer Re-
ports. the official records of the Senate, show
the facts / have stated By this unlawful
and outrageous method the fifteenth amend
mend was declared adopted, and negro suffrage
that curse of the whites and blacks-waS fast
ened upon the federal Constitution"
"You have spoken of Gray's methods--what
theyP
''Mr. Gray resided in overwhelming Re
.zrblican district. His great ambition was TO
represent 1t in Congress. He q candidate
for the congressional nomin alton of his party at
several conventions, and was always defeated.
In 1872 be was again defeated in the Republican
convention, when ne accepted the nomination Of
the Democrats. and was defeated overwhelming
ly at she polls. In 1876 he nominated for
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS on the ticket with Blue
Jeans Williams, and elected. In 1880 he was
renominated for Lieutenant-governor and was
defeated. In 1884 he was nominated for Gov
ernOr and elected. he has used his position for
the advancement of his personal ambition in
such way 20 disrupt the Democratic party
in the State In my opinion, there enough
old mossback Democrats In Indiana who wonld
not vote to make it possible for renegade Re-
publican and ex-Know- nothing to become Pres
ident to ieopardize Democratic chances in In
diana, which are none too good at best I am
also sure that ex-Know- nothing could not
carry the State of New York.