The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-26

THE ROW IN THE FIRST DISTRICT.


Correspondence OF the indianapolis Journal
MT. VERNON, Ind, Jan. 24.-Hon. Mason
y. NIblack has been brought into the Demo-
cratic row over the judgeship in the First
judicial district. Mr.. Loudon, in card,
asserted that Mr.. Niblack said that Cover
nor Gray had made the appointment of
Judge Richardson on Judge Parrett's
recommendation. Judge Parrett's interfer-
ence in favor of Richardson occasioned
such degree of dissatisfaction among the
Posey county Democracy that it threatened
Parrett's defeat at the special election on
the Goth prOx. Hon. L. NJ. Spencer. of this
city, was prevailed upon to write Captain
Whltworth, now Posey county's Represent
atlve at indianapolis, and request him to
urge upon Ex-Governor Gray and Speaker
Niblack the necessity of some action in this
matter. WhitwOrth called on Gray and
presented the situation of affairs down
here. Governor Gray, famed for his polit-
lcal sagacity, took the matter under con-
slderatiOn, and the conclusion was that
Nlblack must write letter to Mr.. Loudon,
the defeated aspirant for the judgeship, dis
was appointed on Parrett's recommends
tlon. The following is copy OF the letter:
INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 20.
Hon. VIM. Loudon, Mt Vernon. Ind:
Dear Sir-In card published by you in the
Mt Vernon Democrat, of the 18th inst, you say:
Evansville, on Thursday night, the Sd day of
january 1889, said that Governor Gray told him
he had made the appointment on Judge Parrett's
you refer is the appointment of Judge Richard
son, recently made by Governor Gray.
In making this statement, you, of course, do
not intend to Go me an injustice. wish to say,
however, that did not make any such statement
as you attribute TO me. Ii 1 had made such
stat statement It would have been false, as Governor
pointment Of Judge Richardson on Judge Par
retts recommendation, nor anything OF that
any way, that Judge Parrett had had anything
whatever to do directly or indirectly, with the
appointment of Judge Richardson as judge of
the Vanderburg and Posey Circuit Courts.
have sent to Judge Parrett copy of this let
ter, and given him permission to publish it if he
cerely yours, MASON j. NIBLAcK.
The above letter was circulated rather
freely In this county, and, of course, placed
Mr.. LoudOn's informant, Maj. q. V. Men,
Zles, III position requiring an explanation.
Major Menzies's explanation is embraced in
the following letter to Mr.. LOudon:
MOUNT VERNON, Jan. 81.
Hon. VIM. Loudon Mount Vernon:
Dear Sir-I have been shown the letter adj
dressed you by the Hon. Mason Niblack, of Jan.
2O,slSS9, in which that gentleman denies a con-
versation had with me at the L. & n. X. Il. depot.
Evansville, Ind, concerning Governor GrayS
action in appointing judge for this judicial dis
trict to I'LL vacancy caused by the resignation
OF the Hon. Vim. L. Parrett.
am informed that Mr.. Niblack, in private
letter to Judge Parrett, admits meeting me at
the time and place stated by me to you, and hay
ing conversation with me. This letter Judge
Parrett, learn, does not make public. The diff
ference, then, between Mr.. Niblack and myself
is, did he, in a conversation had with him, make
q statement concerning Governor Gray's conduct
in appointing the Hon. R. y. Richardson Judge
OF this circuit! assert that he did.
One of the first questions Mr.. Niblack asked
me, after the usual greeting, was, IL there was
much feeling in Posey county about Richardson's
appointment! I said there was considerable
feeling, and it was that the county had been bad
ly treated by Governor Gray, and that the latter
had made political blunder not in keeping with
his reputation for political sagacity. Mr.. Nib
lack replied that it was all wrong to hold Gov.
Gray accountable for Ii, as he, in his appoint
ment of Richardson, had acted on the advice and
recommendation OF Richardson's predecessor,
Judge Parrett.
then asked Mr. Niblack if Judge Parrett had
recommended Richardson to which he replied,
Eyes; he did" then remarked that had taken
no part in the matter and had signed neither the
petition of Mr. LoudOn nor that OF Judge Rich
ardson. The conversation then changed to other
matters. When first met Mr.. Niblack he was
with Mr.. Storton, travelling agent Of the Evans
Vile Journal Company. Whether the latter
heard what transpired between US, cannot say.
Yours respectfully, u. V. MENZiES.
1t becomes, therefore, question of verac-
ity between Major MenZies and Speaker
Niblack, and the universal opinion is that
Niblack is the mistaken man. No one
doubts that Niblack has assumed this re-
spOnsibility in order to clear the skirts of
Judge Parrett. For young man of his as
pirations and prospects to do such a thing
occasions feelings of surprise and regret
amongtthe many friends OF his respected
father here in Posey county. NJ.