The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-08
ALL EAGER FOR POSITIONS
Legislators and Politicians Gathering
for the Opening Of the Assembly.
Contests for Offices in the Two Houses That
Revive Some Chapters of Campaigns That
Worried the Shrewdest Manipulators.

legislators and politicians gathered in the
lobby of the Grand Hotel, that every sec
zion of the State is to demand from the
Democratic caucus some recognition, no
matter how small, in the distribution of
offices. While the Speakers position is the
goal half hundred members of the House
would sacriice their dearest interests to
obtain, tn ere is disposition to leave the
contest to Niblack. Schmuck and Willard.
But the candidates for door-keeper of the
same body are not so self-denying. If
Representative is not struggling for
the speakership, he is sure to nave a
man in training for door-keeper. This
threw into tine gossip, scheming and
button-holing yesterday. the idea that
the place was worth extraordinary
Efforts to obtain. While the few would-be
Speakers were active, the prospective
door-keepers impaired to the scene all that
hustling energy which marks the man who
wants to get his fences into position to
trade If the first place is not to be had,
then it is desired TO make deal
Among the most assertive of these candi-
dates for door-keeper is James Il. Wilson.
He poses as the representative of organized
labor and bases his claim to the position on
the ground that he brought the Labor
press. Knights of Labor and trades unions
over to the support of the Democratic par
ty- He and the dollar-a-day lie were close
" allied in their relations with the Labor
Signal, which was turned over to the Dem
ocratic party against the wishes of
its owners. Wilson, since it was known
that the Democrats would have
D majority in the House. has been persistent
in its efforts TO keep his claim for party
service before the Representatives.. He
has flooded the State with confidential APP
peals like the following, which, in the
middle of December, was received by one of
the Democratic members of the House:
Dear sir-Upon the solicitation of many demo
cratic friends, have announced myself as can
didate for doOrkeeper of the House of Represent
at1ves, and II you are not pledged to the support
of any other candidate L most earnestly solicit
your influence and support In the race for the
position 1 have the endorsements gocd-wishcs
and support OF such men as the Hon. u. G. Mat
son; Edward Hawkins, " s. MARSHALL; Hon Leon OF
Cooper Hon. John W. Kern, and the most honor
able Judges of the Indiana Supreme Court, Mes
sieurs Niblack. collars and Howk, and the Hon.
W. ID. Bynum, with many others 1 could name
who know the part took during the recent cam
paign and or what service rendered. hope
during the coming organization to meet you per-
eonally, and should not be successful in my race
there viii be no sore spots on me for am a dem
Yours truly,
JAMES b. WILSON.
= This places Wilson's candidacy solely up
on the line of reward for party service
which he claims to have rendered by pros
tituting the Knights of Labor and trades
union for political purposes, under instruc-
Democratic State central commit
tee. If his, double character as
a Knight of Labor and Democratic politi-
NJ 90 N, hp forrnH in,
letter, under an official letter-head, which
reads as follows;
NOBLE AND HOLY ORDER OF THE
KNIGHTS OF LABOR OF AMERICAN
DISTRICT ASSEMBLY No. 106.
WILLIAM Z. KLNEsMTTH. EDWIN +. GOULD.
District Master Workman. District Rec. Sec
The letter was under date of December IA,
three days before Wilson sent out his own
appeal, and was addressed to the same DEM
ocratic member. 1t reads as follows:
Dear sir-I beg leave to call your attention to
a few facts In regard to the candidacy of James
b. Wilson, for dOorkeeper of the House of Rep
resenatives- From the position I hold in the
whereof / speak. 1t was through the efforts and
hard work of Bro Wilson that the entire Labor
Press and Organization of the State were brought
10 the support of the Democratic National, state
and County tickets.
Hon. c. 9. MatsOn, Edward Hawkins and C. l.,
Jewetf, am sure, VIII bear me out In this asser-
ton. 1t was through his wise management that
Labor Day." was grand success and which
lion coming over to the Democracy. Bro. Wilson,
is endorsed by his Assembly Commercial S032.
K of L. for the position. He has the backing of
over 1000 labor Zig men, mechanics and rail-
readers petitioning his appointment With all
these facts L most earnestly endorse him not
pny as the best representative OF Organized
rrat as well. Amy recognition bestowed upon
him viii be, not only recognized, but appreciated
by Organized labo:
w. f. KLEINsMITH.
District Master Workman, ID. A. LOG.
In the above il is distinctly acknowl
edged that the Labor day demonstration
last September was organized for the
purpose of a Democratic rally and that it
was the beginning of the work in bringing
over the entire labor organizations of the
ticket. But the day after District
Master Workman Klnesmith wrote this
letter, Joseph l.. Riley, chief clerk in the
pension Office, addressed to the same Demo-
cratic member the following:
dacy of James b. Wilson, for door-keeper of the
House OF Representatives. 1 do so because
know from my personal knowledge that it was
entire Labor Press and Labor Organizations in
= fae State were brought into line for the support
Of e ong ana as0 n 70 he
lily and of all the candidates spoken of for the
position, consider him the most worthy; for ii
was finally through his efforts with the Labor
Organizations that we were enabled to carry Ma
ron County at the late election
Yours truly,
JOS. L. REILEY.
Attached to this letter was the following
printed slip:
CONFIDENTIAL.
For the truth of the declarations of the within
letter from Mr.. Joe Riley, ex sec. of State Demo-
cratic Central Committee, and at present chief
clerk In the L. L. Pension Office refer you to
Hon. Charles l.. Jewett, u. g. Marshall Ed Haw-
kins, Hon ST. Sherrin, Hon. Eph. Marsh, Thomas
Iaggart, chairman Marion county DEM con-, and
Congressman Bynum; also, Mr. Will McGinniss,
them, think, viii substantiate the facts in the
within letter Yours truly,
JAMES b. WILSON
All of this reveals in unquestionable proof
what was so well known and often written
aoont during the campaign, that the Demo-
cratic State central committee, through
men VINO were ready to misuse the Knights
of Labor assemblies and trades-union in
sought 70 get control of the organizations.
for door-keeper, and he is using it to the ut
most. But he comes i'm conflict with
= Schmuck's aspirations for the speakership.
as both are from this county and both ex-
pect the labor influence to help them ont.
Their chances are also lessened by Markey's
endeavors to become president of the be-
nevolent boards, and the candidacy of ANDY
T. Wilson, also a Knight of Labor for door
keeper.
The race for the speakership has another
1t is doubtful if he ever saw a Legislature
lx<f- IL o+f<x