The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-09
4 NEW CHAIRMAN CHOSEN
E. P. Richardson Is Placed at the Head
of the Democratic State Committee.
Colonel Rice Refuses TO Continue in the Posi-
tion Longer-His Plan of Reorganization
The Convention to b Held April 20.

| with two or three local politicians holding prox-
les met at its headquarters yesterday afternoon.
to arrange for the State convention. Chairman
Rice told the members. directly after calling
them 70 order, that il would be impossible for
him to take active interpat as an official or
member of the committee in the coming cam
1 paien. His business was such thai 1t required
| his constant attention, and besides, he did not
think he would be doing justice to the present
state Of his health to assume responsible
! ties that for months would be very tax
! ing. Such statements as this had been expect
/ ed for Colonel Rice. months ago decided TO re-
| sign when he could do so without detrIment to
certain things in regard to Reorganization of the
| system of party management he desired to have
! accomplished Early in December he prepared
| plan which has since been she subject of much
discussion both In and out Of the committee
among the party leaders The troubles last
year the Democrats had in several congressional
districts, particularly the B5num Bailey affair,
that Of Lowry 10 the Twelfth district, and of
Howard 10 tbe Third district showed the neces-
sity for some supreme and authoritative tribunal
in settling disputed questions. The congression-
aIeommittses then could do rothng for neither
party In dispute would recognize the
right of that committee TO act. In regard TO the
State committee. only arbitrary assumption
of power was left to it in passing upon the oues-
tions at issue. as was done in favor Of Bynum
against Bailey. Lowry's adherents wanted to
go TO the same organization with their side of
the case, but their opponents would not con-
sent TO it. In the Third district the anti How
ard men maintained an organization Of their
own. as was done in the Twelfth district.
Colonel Rice desired to have the rules SO rad
ically amended give the State committees
the right of final review in regard to such mat
ters. Objections were raised to the plan as
original y drafted centerng the control of To-
cal management even in the State organization.
During the time it considered nearly every
leading Democrat Ia the State had q suggestion
to make or proposition to offer. After while
the plan lost it's original features, but
retained really what the Colonel was
after-to give the State committee control
over congressional nominations Amended and
revised. the plan was approved about three
weeks ago by the State executive committee. It
provides that the chairman of the township
committee shall be member OF the county
Ranization. aud that the chairman Of the latter
shall belong to the congress sional committee,
the chairman of which shall % a member of the
State central committee. If question regard
ing township candidates management cannot
be settled by the township committee the right
of appeal is to extend ito the county organiza-
ton, but no further. IL the county committee
falls to decide satisfactorily any matter relat
ing to county candidates or party interests. the
appeal IL to go to the congressional committee,
and no further. Affairs in dispute bearing on
congressional nominees De taken Co the
State central committee on appeal from the dis
trict organization. This plan will make the
personnel Of the State committee doubly inter-
esting to those whose ambition leads them to
Congress, and while it has ths support of the
executive committee, the great test of
its acceptance by the party is 90 come when it
is submitted to the State convention for final
approval. The committee took no action on 1T,
yesterday. but when Colonel Rice threw the pa
per on the tabla after announcing his determi-
nation to retire from politics with Here is the
plan OF REORGANIZATION" several members wanted
it read. That was done but the number of sug-
gestions offered and the lack of unanimity in
favor of the scheme caused all cues tons
corning il TO be deferred until the committee
net again, either at the call of the chairman or
the night before tne State convention.
When the time for the convention was pro.
posed those who had been talking about late
date were found to be decidedly in the minority
The plea for an early convention was that the
farmers ought to have chance to attend If
the date was put in May they would be busy
on their farms. Some one suggested
good time. for the farmers could then
leave home. This was considered to bs a little
too early, but 1t was put to vote. the committee
being evenly divided on it. The 26th of April
was then named and upon that date ali united
No reference was made to ths candidates for
Governor, except in the mere mention of the
names of Colonel Matson, w. r. Myers and
Green Smith. The Matson men are pleased
with the date chosen for the convention and re-
gard it as being in his favor, but the friends of
Myers are using to advantage the argument
that MAtson's nomination would mean the
ascendency of the Washington influence that
tried, at the nesting of the young Democracy III
January, TO keep out resolution indorsing Gray
for the vies-presidency. 1t is said that ~Eiie
Matson is supposed to be favoriug Gray, he is
working with the Indiana Democrats in Wash
Ington to secure the vice. presidential nomina-
ton for General b ack Senator Voorhees, A
Myers man said yesterday: "Matson's strength
1S4a Nl~w s.<
Democrats are anxious &c get rid of
him, SO that George w. Cooper can have
the congressional domination. He will get 1T
BY reclamation. CONGRESSMAN Shively's candi-
dacy for Governor is thought TO be solely in the
interest of Matson." As at ths conference in
January so at the State convention it is thought
the Washington contingeHss as il is called. will
be present in force TO obstruet Gravs ambition.
McDonald's expression IN interview. the
other day. that he is opposed TO Gray, recalls the
c@tentons and dlssensons between these two
leaders for years past, and suggests the proba-
blitv of there being an organized effort agai INST
the Governor before the convention meets Il
will result the nomination of w. R Myers to
head the ticket slth ough it Is rot designed to
bring that about Gray, 1t is presumed. will be
Endorsed. and in that act Matson will go down
rs the infus nee seeking TO prevent it 10 urging
his nomination.
The committee TO fill the vacancy in the chair
maushlp elected e. p Richardson of Pike. as
be has been a congressional and State commit
teeman at different times. He has also served
twice in the State Senate His present term
will not extend beyond the convention. when a
new committee is to be selected by the DELEGATES
from the several congressional districts. They
are Also the night Def re the convention, to
select the district Delegates. r O. johnson re-
signed the secrstaryship. hut the selection of
his successor referred to the chairman and
executive committee. The representation in
the State convention is be delegate for
every 200 votes cast for Gray, and one for each
fraction of 100 and over.
The executive COMMITTEES met last night TO
draft a call for the convention and to elect a
secretary, If possible. There seems be some
trouble 10 getting q suitable for that Office.
During the session of the committee in the aft
ernoon Ed. Hawkins. ST. Sheerin and w. J.
Craig went over to the pension Office 10 consult
with Colonel Zollinger in regard to Joseph Riley
taking the place. Riley refused, and the COM
mittee avoided the strife that might arise in
discounfenancing the claims of half dozen APP
plcsnts by referring the election to the execu
tive committee The latter could do no better