The Indianapolis journal., 1888-08-06

OUR STATE ISSUES.

OUR STATE ISSUES.
The Republican convention, which is to
meet on Wednesday. promises to be one of the
largest and most interesting ever held in the
State. The Republicans have held some
great and memorable conventions here during
the last twenty five years, but, from present
appearances, the one about to meet will equal
any of them in numbers, in spirit and in all
the elements that 60 to make great political
assemblage. In addition to the regular dele
gates, a very large number Of Republicans
will come up from all parts of the State to
assist, as far as they properly can, in shaping
the action of the convention, and to attest by
their presence the harmony and enthusiasm
that prevail in the party. No Republican
convention, for many years. has been looked
forward to with greater interest and We vent
ure the prediction that when it shall have ad-
journed it will he found that none ever better
represented the spirit and sentiment of the
party, or performed its work in a more con-
scientious and satisfactory manner.
The fact that this is presidential year will
naturally affect the temper and proceedings
of the convention somewhat, and this tend
ency VIII be emphasized by the fact that for
the first time in the history of the State
one of the great political parties has nomi-
mated an Indiana man for President. The can
didacy of General Harrison has already be-
come controlling factor in State politics.
and started wave of enthusiasm which bids
fair to become irresistible. But interesting
and important as the presidential contest is,
it has not caused the people to forget, and We
presume il will not cause the convention to
forget, the State issues involved in the pend
ing election. It is no disloyalty to General
Harrison to say that even apart from his can
didacy and from all questions relating to the
presidential contest, the State issues in this
campaign are such as should inspire the Re-
publican party to its greatest efforts. No
party in any State contest ever had or could
desire better issues or better cause to fight
for than the Democratic party has given the
Republicans of Indiana this year. The main
issues are (D the outrageous gerrymander of
the State for legislative purposes in 1885, by
which about onefourth of the Republican
voters in the State were practically disfran-
chised; (2) the infamous mismanagement Of
sko1o .fo
tuition for political purposes; (3 tho usurpa-
tion of Green Smith, his bold theft of the
Office of Lieutenant-governor and the revolu.
tionary proceedings accompanying it; (4) the
wholesale corruption in the Southern prison;
(5 the Sim Coy tally-sheet forgeries.
In the Legislature of 1ss4-5 the Democrats
had majority on joint ballot of 46. Not
! content with this. they redistricted the State
on plan intended to give them a still larger
majority, making a gerrymander of which
Senator Voorhees, said he should feel person
ally disgraced if 1t did not give the Demo
Gratis majority of fully two-thirds.
Nothing in the history of the State has ex-
cited more popular indignation than the pros
titution of the Insane Hospital by a corrupt
ring of Democratic politicians, including the
abuse of the inmates and feeding them on
maggoty butter and diseased hogs, supplied
by favored contractors of the ring.
The usurpation of Green Smith an his
theft of the Office of Lieutenant-governor was
the most high.banded outrage ever attempted
in the State. Although now defended by
nobody except political outlaws, it was part
of Democratic conspiracy to revolutionize
the State and control the election of United
| States Senator. The party must not be per-
mitted to escape the responsibility and odium
of this proceeding.
The exposure of the rottenness and corrup-
ton in the southern penitentiary was only
| publicans, and the whole business was white
washed and defended by the Democracy until
they could do so no longer.
| The Sim Coy tally-sheet forgeries were part
of Democratic scheme to carry Marion
county and obtain majority in the last Leg
islature. They have been approved and de-
Tended time and again by Democratic leaders,
and although the two ring-leadsrs of the gang
are now in the penitentiary, they are regarded
and treated rs Democratic martyrs. Coy still
draws pay as councilman from the Eighteenth
ward in this city.
These issues partially outline the load of in