The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-10
POLITICS IN ILLINOIS.
The Real Meaning of the Chicago Tribune's
OverZealous Boom for Judge Gresham.

Special to the Indianapolis journal
CHICAGO, March 8.-The meeting of the Re-
| publican conference for this State was the prac-
teal starter of the campaign. though, of course,
the waters have been bubbing for some time
The attendance was large, and the enthusiasm
and confidence all that could De desired. The
great fight is for the gubernatorial nomination.
and the most of the candidates were present
and some of them made speeches The Illinois
Republicans are not permitting themselves to
grow unduly excited over the presidential oues-
ton, though no small interest is excited by rea-
son OF the course of the Chicago Tribune re-
specting Judge Walter @. Gresham whom it il
booming" with a zeal that has already aroused
the gravest suspicion. Judge Gresham is re-
garded as a local man; he is looked upon more
Ilinoisan than Indianian, and il is Tot
impossible that if he really an Illinois
man, the State might take him up as can
dldate, and send to the national convention a
delegation in his interest But that is utterly
out of the question as things are now The
shrewd. sensible, long headed Republicans know
that for Illino OILS to make him a candidate as an
Indiana man, and organize for his nomination
In face of the recognized choice of Indiana for
Harrison, would result only in mischief; and
therefore, to the Chicago Tribune's assertion
that Illinois would probably send Gresham
delegation, the Chicago Journal replies that
such statement is the baldest nonsense. and
that nothing of the kind will De done. But the
Tribune's antics have revealed a curious state of
things. In the first place, il has set the Gresh-
am bee to buzz1ng. and there is doubt of
regular and sySte matte effort being made in
his behalf, with headq uarters here in Chicago.
The Tribune printed an elaborate sketch
OF MS life and career. and an immense edition
OF the issue bought and has been shipped
into other States for the purpose of arousing
sentiment in his favor in various quarters.
This has been supplemented by the active eff
q fe ynan nd yzho viSifb era
not lnfrequentiy. holding conferences with
certain local leaders, urging that the movement
De vigorously pushed. and when the Indiana
delegation comes up, no matter whether they
De nominally for General Harrison. they can be
surrounded with such influences as ito sweep
them ln." The curious feature however
in the whole affair is the attitude of
the Chicago Tribune, and the almost universal
feeling among republicans as to the real purpose i
OF that paper Republicans Of prominence and in
nuence without notable exception believe the
Tribune TO be nothing but a marplot Its
columns have been filled and are filed with slurs
and car1catures against John Sherman for the
purpose of killing him off. and everybody thinks
1t entirely iusincere in its advocacy of Gresham
the idea being to kill off General Harrison,
whom all recognize a. the choice of Indiana and |
strong both in that State and in the country |
as Well, probably, to ruin General Gresham, if |
a sentiment should develop in his favor that |
would foreshadow his possible nomin ation. The |
Tribune believes thatif it divide Indiana and
play on Gresham against Harrison it will sue |
coed in killing both. It's object is believed to |
shrewdest means it devise any one whom |
1t regards strong and dangerous, so that at the |
proper time Blaine's name will be sprung upon |
the convention, and he be nominated as the |
only man to reconcile the greatest possible mum. |
Der OF Republicans. This is practically the |
universal opinion of party men here, and they |
expect to see the Tribune knife Gresham and |
drop him when it feels that it has accomplished |
the work of not only killing him, but of |
GRIPPING or destroying General Harrison also
With this universally prevalent opinion it is
strange that Indianains can be found to join |
with it, but some of judge Greshams near
friends, who are reported as his representatives,
have been fooled into the belief that the Tribune
s In earnest and that throu eh It's advocacy there
Will be good chance of securing his nomina-
lon; and so there are many giving assurances
70 local managers here that the Indiana deleea-
ion can be carried into the scheme il only suf-
icient influence is brought to bear upon them
when they come to Chicago This is the stua-
ion as it exists to-day; and with this revelation
# It Republicans the country will watch
With interest further Developments especially
o see whether Indiana will aid in destroying i
IS chances for the candidate in the person OF
ither Harrison Gresham. by walking into
he parlor of the Tribune spider. If 1t does, it
will not be so fly" as it appears. though it will
)e very Sily