The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-12


In the afternoon the hall was crowded. while
two three hundred spectators were packed on
the outer edge There was no hustle or noise.
the delegates listening to the wearisome formal
ity Of calling the roll with commendable pa
thence. This was done to obtain tn names of
five delegates from each county who to look
after the organization of the Hendricks League.
Although it was stated every ounty had repre-
sentatives in the convention, some did not
respond. There was a representation efficient
ly complete, however to show that the Demo-
Gratis of the State alive to the / interests or
their party notwithstanding the differences on
various points OF policy which only needed an
airing to throw the crowd into az
found relief in staring at the legend swung
above the stage over n portrait OF the late Vice
president, reading THE immortal Hendricks.
men till there is not tyrant left on the face OF
the earth" 1t was suggestive of the time when
inoiana democrats mad but one OPINION aoous
leadership, and that the struggle therefore on
the part of mbitious men did not carry with 1t
the feud that is threatened in the antagonlsm to
Gray. An effort was made to get every county
on the record, but this became wearsome and
further calling was indefinitely postponed, With
instructions to the counties to send In the names
hereafter to the secretary.
The committee club organization did
not report in time. and the chairman
then called for the committee
resolutions, but it's chairman did not come for
ward nor was there anything said done to
express the eagerness of the crowd to hear from
him just at that moment. An expectancy pre-
vailed that the resolutions might disturb the
apparent harmony which had so far been ad-
mirably managed, although the outcropping of
opposition TO some proposed steps could not be
altogether covered up. Governor Gray waited
for something to come from the convention, but
each delegate thought the Governor ought to
give the cue for further proceedings The ST.
lence was distressful until George w. Cooper. of
Bartholomew county, arose and said that while
the convention was at its leis ure. it would be
good time for him 70 make motion which he
thought would raise commotiou 1t was that
the State central committee should be recon-
mended to call the State Convention for the
first Wednesday in June. Governor Gray
hesitated moment and then began to put the
motion. when several cried, 'There is no Sec
ond." but as many more crowded down this pro-
test by saying, II second it."
Isaiah B. Mcdonald, of Whitley, at once came
to the rescue of the protestants by saying that
he was opposed to this convention making any
suggestions or recommendations whatever. He
opposed the holding of any convention until the
national nominations had been made ard the
platform adopted. 1t was impolitic to take any
step in the dark, and Indiana Democrats could
afford to wait. for their record was all right.
They can stand by 1t, and for this expression
the speaker received a vigorous round of APP
plause, he did when he stated that nothing
should be done concerning recommendations
and policies. he believed the able State CEN
trail committee coCld attend to the time for the
State convention without any suggestions. He
did not want the hands of that committee tied.
He wanted the question to rest in peace, and the
Democrats of Indiana to abide their time 1t
was hoped by him that the motion would be laid
on the table. but he did not want it done until
there had been full and free discussion.
Mr. Cooper, with some warmth, replied that
it was not his intention to tie anybodys hands
The committee need not adopt the resolution if
it did not see fit to do SO, but it is the servant
of Democracy and should obey its master He
did not think it was taking any step into the
dark, for the party had come out into the broad
sunshine of liberty aud principles. 1t has a
leader. and platform he has given it, and in in
dorsing this sentiment the convention applauded
vigorously. All that is necessary to be done in
the national convention IS to put man on the
ticket for second place. Indiana ought to fur
nish that man, and her Democrats ought to be
heard before the national convention meets
There was hearty applause over this expression
which Mr.. Cooper supplemented by saying that
the Repub party press was telling the world
there were chickering's and dissensions among In
diana Democrats. He wanted their State con-
vention soon as possible to stamp such state
ments as false, for the people must know the
truth and the only way TO get it to them is for
the Democrats of Indiana to speak loudly and
emphaticaly The proper way to do this is to
begin with the township conventions, and in the
end reach the climax in that OF the national
Democracy.
When delegate from Fort Wayne suggest ed
waiting for the National conven ton some veneer
able Democrat representing the worth of his
constituency in substance and intelligence qui-
city inquired, IF you don't hold the State before
the National convention how are you going to
select the States delegates at large to the lat
ter" The convention seemed to appreciate the
value of the suggestion, which was strengthened
by Mr. Mcdonald modifying his opposition
by stating that he did say the
Democrats were in the dark. He said he did not
want them TO get there. In continuing the dis
cussion a Democrat from De Kalb county, of ro-
tund proportions and abundance of good nature,
speaking in a voice that has doubt stirred his
constituents in the heat of many a campaign,
proclaimed in favor of old-fashioned Democracy
and the old-fashioned way of doing things.
He believed every State in the federal |
Union should be allowed to control it's domestic |
and he wan ted the Indiana Democrats |
to be free and independent and to set the time
for a State convention which they thought best. |
There is no necessity to wait for national |
policy. That is in letters large that all the |
world can see and they raised that all the |
blind can read. This movement of an early con- |
vention was in the interest of Gray and rather |
than have discussion proceed to point where the |
delegates would be embroiled in charge and |
counter charge, the opponents of the motion &C |
4uesced in having 1t passed While the vote |
appeared to be unanimous. many delegates re-
Trained from responding either yes" or no"
This question out of the road Leon Bailey. |
for the committee on organization of clubs, read
a lengthy report containing a preamble and |
constitution for what ia to be known as the Hen
bricks League. Local clubs add any name |
they desire TO that of Hendricks League and
the names sent up previously by the delegations
of each county were those of delegates who are
to see to the organization OF the first club in
their respective counties This work is to be
done as soon possible, and the first club is
thereafter to organize clubs in every township
luired to send to the secretary of the State CEN
raj committee and the county committees list
If members, and add to them members
sre initiated. All this is to be carried out
he belief, the preamble expressed
t, that the good of the coun-
nv and perpetuity of American institutions
epend on the continuance of the Democratic
,arty in power. 1t is provided in the constitu-
ION of the league that the president and vice.
resident of each local club to be ad-
isory committee to confer whenever il is
esired with the State central committee No
elegate found any objection to this plan, and
was adopted unanimously.
HOW THE RESOLUTIONS WERE RECEIVED.
There may have been some nervousness
mong large proportion of the delegates to
be resolutions which came next but when the
Ion. Thomas r. Cobb. chairman of the com
littee, began the first sentence laudng Cleve-
and, an uproarious applause put all at their
ase. When he read about the excellent ad