The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-09-03
THE DEMOCRATS In DOUBT
Norton Deriving Assistance from Sulli-
vans Dislike to Become Mayor,
But the Friends of the Two Judges Confidently
Claim the Nomination for Their Candidate
Election Boards and Voting Places.

position of certainty when an assured
success would permit them to accept
either one of the judges who are being
urged for the mayorality. A feeling is ex-
pressed against Sullivan on account of his
indifference to the matter. His position is
regarded as selfish. inaslnuch as it is I'M
derstood that his standing in his party,
relative to q candidacy for the circuit
judgeship, depends upon the course he
now pursues. If he had no desire to 60 on the
bench again, he would have none to be the
Democratic candidate for Mayor. His ac-
ceptance of a nomination for the latter
office is being made to serve his canvass for
the other. He has said positively that
he does not want to be Mayor. and
while he will do nothing to secure the NOM
nation. he is willing to accept it only at
the solicitation of his friends.
No one better understands the value of such
a position on the part of an opponent in adj
vancing his own chances than Judge Nor
ton. He and bis friends are not losing
sight of it, and wherever they go they scat
expect to derive q benefit when the con-
ventlon occurs. mo man." said q Demo
crat yesterday, understands the tricks of
eiectioneering better than Norton. He is
always on the alert. and a canvass by him
Is for all there is in it, no matter whom it
effects, so he is the beneficiary.
/ was down in the Seventeenth ward
the other night. just after contingent of
the Norton faction had been there. l met
a man who. during the day, was an earnest
told me that he would vote for no man who
would not show some disposition to work
for himself. Norton, he said, will be nOmi-
mated. That is but one of the devices Nor
ton &c ~ xntx Sx,ll
Another, i presume is the one he successful
ly applied when he was candidate against
Buskirk for criminal judge. There was
toil-gate keeper near the city who had con-
siderable influence, which he exerted until
day before the convention against Nor
ton. He was an enthusiastic Buskirk man.
and Norton wanted him. The afternoon
before the convention the Judge drove
out to the tollgate and said to the
keeper: Il understand you are for me.
L am sure / appreciate your frlendIiness,
and place much higher value on your in
huence than Buskirk.'
What's the matter with Buskirkp ca
gerly asked the gate-keeper.
He says, replied Norton; that it makes
no difference whether you are for me or
not, as you are man of no influence
''The gate-keeper went to the convention
and worked for Norton. But Norton is
tireless In a canvass He is out early and
late. spending money freely. He goes into
no ward without making favorable inn
preston, and / think he will be nOmi-
natedn
The conclusion this politician expressed on
the strength of his observations of the can
are fully as many who, without preference
for either Judge, say Norton will be the
nominee. There is friction in the canvass,
and the leaders of the party are trying to
keep 1t down as much as possible. This is
the method County Attorney Spencer is
using. II don't know who will be nomi-
mated" he said yesterday.
But surely" suggested the reporter,
you have an opinion"
Perhaps; but / am not willing to state
definitely what it is. However. if the con-
vention had taken place to-day. Sullivan
would have been nominated. There is no
telling now what may. occur. Perhaps
there will be new candidate"
HAS any one been mentiOnedT
mo; but. there are always probabilities.
You know" AS Mr.. Spencer retired Col.
Goose" Eden, of the Coy brigade.
came mp, and at the outset
expressed but little knowledge as to what
said. HE may be nominated. That's all
can say" This is suggestive of the gang
working in both directions, with the
chance of either nominating Norton and
McGinnis, the latter for city clerk, or Sui,
with their victory at the primaries Friday
evening, will insist upon having a repre-
sentative on the city ticket. indianapolis
Democracy cannot 90 without the gang.
Norton knows what he wants." said a
friend of that gentleman yesterday, land is
not afraid to ask for it. He is helping his
supporters in their work to the best of his
ability, On the other hand. Judge Sulli-
vans strongest hackers claim nothing
further than that t their candidate has
it is rendered to him. He makes
no secret of his aversion to the duties
of the office and his dissemination to
put himself in a position where, by any
form them. This attitude is beginning to
have its effect among Democratic brethren,
who have been accustomed to see their can
didates get out and hustle for votes at the
head of the column instead of sitting back
in shady corner of the tent. They want
no waiting for crowns of victory to be
TANNED down over their ears by main
strength and in spite of earnest protesta-
tons"
las / understand the matter" said a
well-known Democrat, Judge Sullivan
has refrained from saying he would not ac-
cept nomination for Mayor, if rendered
him, although he does not rant it, simply
and solely because he Is unwilling to do
anything which might initiate against his
chances of a Democratic nomination
hereafter which he does want. His pOlit-
zeal ambition is understood to run in the di-
rection of judgeship, and he probably
realizes that If he should be governed by
his inclinations now, and speak as he feels
declining absolutely to make the may orally
race, he might be met, when he comes to make
his next race for the bench. with a rebuff
from his present supporters. The Demo
Gratis would not hesitate to remind him that
if he was not disposed to help them make a
fight when they wanted him, they were not
disposed to make a fight when he wanted
them. Nevertheless, thereS has been no at
tempt on his part to conceal his aversion
to the office and it duties, nor of his Cflsin-
clination to make any effort to secure
the nomination. For one am not disposed
TO push man into place he does not
want, when there are plenty of good men
willing to take it, and discharge its duties
cheerfully and efficiently"
Another objection urged against him is
that he is not as approachable as the ideal
Jeffersonian should be- when the average
Democrat comes into his presence. 1t is
said instead of being put at his ease, so that
he can spit and be sociable. he is CONCEALED
vents him from having the use of
his most common functions. These things
seem trivial to the philosopher who holds
that the office must seek the man and not
the man the Office, and that sociability
ought to cut NJ figure In the selection of a
candidate for official duties, but they have
their weight and influence. nevertheless,
and are making themselves felt in the pres
ent contest. Democrats who could not find
takers a week ago for wagers that Sullivan
would be nominated find no difficulty in
securing people willing 70 invest in OPPOSE
ton to that basis now, and the odds are in
the contrary direction where they are
given.
rbara -. no+b;po furfbar raporfa1 from,