The Indianapolis journal., 1889-01-07
ASKING FOR A LITTLE SPOIL
Democrats Asserting Their Claims in
the General Assembly and Caucus.
Gapen and Markey in the Race, Backed by Coy
ism-Speakership and Senate's Secretary
Legislators and Minor 0ffiee-Seekers.

There were a dozen or more legislators
about the lobbies of the hotels last night,
with the opening of the General Assembly
only four days away. None of them had
much to tell about the proposed upheaval
in the nature of reform which the Demo-
Gratis have been prating about. Occasion
ally one would say something concerning
an election law or the school book trust.
with an indirect reference as to probabih-
ties connected with the indianapolis Police
Board. There was also the venture of
Judgment on the part of Republican that
it was expected the fire department would
be considered along with the police bill.
But what little interest one could find as to
legislation was soon set aside in the gossip
of the lobby by the talk about aspir-
ants for the Offices the legislators had
10 distribute. Whether the secretaryship
of the Senate or the speakership of the
House is to have the lead in the attention
of Lawmakers is hard guessing just now,
but from the indications last night both
will be equally watched until the caucus
decision is had. There was not much said
about the other Offices, but the Markey con-
tingent and the Gapen crowd, in their
struggle TO get the best of the situation
relative TO the presidency of the benevo-
lent institutions, were trying to force their
respective claims on the groups of politi-
clans and legislators scattered around the
Grand and Bates House lobbies.
Gapen is so identified with the Coy gang
that he cannot escape the responsibility of
being rated among the stanch friends of
Simeon, therefore when he appears
IN public to advance his demands
for the place DR.. Harrison now
has John E. Sullivan is not far away: The
talking wherever they could find a Senator
or Representative. Gapen would have one
OF tWo of them in one part of the lobby,
while Sullivan would gather them about
him a one of the obscure corners Markey
had his turn at the same vote-holders, but
always with a suppressed desire to be re-
ieved from COyism, notwlths Sanding tue
record of Council shows that he spoke urg-
emily and emphatically in behalf of Coy,
and voted to- retain him as councilman
from the Eighteenth ward while he served
his term in the penitentiary. Markey OBJ
lects to being classed with the gang, but ut
the same time seeks to defend Coy even
now as he looks upon him as a martyr. He
pretends not to like Gapen, however, and
before the race is ended there is like
ly to be an interchange of denunciatOns
between the two candidates and their sup
porters. This will be one of the most in
teresting political features of the session,
Gapen holding fast to Coy. and Markey
seeking support from the same gang. while
he is anxious to appear before the public as
one unspotted by the doings of the little
boss.
The candidates for Speaker have their
affairs arranged for brisk contest, but, as
be an amiability in it somewhat entranc-
ing unless Schmuck and Willard, in the
wind-up, combine against Niblack. 1t is
supposed that to the latter's interest the
- l.
lin, or Shambaugh, of Allen. would be
serviceable as Speaker, is attributable
If it develops that the Harrell
and Shambaugh candidates. are to
probable that Schmuck and Willard will
try to keep the young Vincennes statesman
away from his ambition. The kindly feel
ing that exists between the Marion county
candidate and the politician from Law
renee county was shown, last evening. by
the efflsiveness of their greeting, when
they almost embraced each other, and
claimed with confidence the election of one
occurred, had just left the dollar-a-day lie,
while, the incoming of the reporter dis
persed the group consisting of John
Frenzel, Albert Sahm and William Spencer
who had. their heads together with
Schmuck looking over Spencer's shoulder,
while he continued a calculation on "A tab,
presumably relating to the pledges Schmuck
had received from the Representatives from
the back districts. With the dOllar-a-day
lie in WillaIds confidence, and Schmuck
relying on the favor and work of
Spencer, who says Coy Is not
only innocent, but was the best
leader the Marion county Democrats ever
had the character of the com binatiOn can
be readily discerned. Already rumOrs to
break the back of Niblack's following are
going the rounds. One of them is to the
effect that his father is to be. urged for the
presidency of the benevolent boards. Young
Niblack, who evidenced shrewdness in
procuring pledges from the Democratic
candidates for the House before the cleo
tion, says such a thing is absurd. Some of
the men pledged were defeated, but he lost
mo time in putting that break in his fence
in order.
Off from the speakership the gossip tends
to the secretaryship of the Senate. w. j.
Craig said last night that he had no idea of
becoming a candidate until reformer Rice
suggested it. Il would naturally be around
the Senate great portion of the time,"
said he, land could just as well take the
Office although the experience will be new
TO me. As / am in the race now / will
stay, and | have fourteen votes out of
twenty-seven to give me start. We
Democrats were counting on twenty eight
Senators until BOZeman from the Gibson
district was declared elected"
Yes said bystander. "our candidate
there was defeated by his own folly"
How was that" inquired the reporter.
He is preacher, and In the course of
ton he denounced the Roman Catholics
That settled him, as the Catholics in that
district are many"
But editor Moss, of Bloomfield, who is
Craig's opponent, does not think the latter
has the chance he claims. He says he has
fourteen votes" continued the Bloomfield
journalist but / know he has on his list
some who are pledged to me in writing
believe i will have nineteen votes if all
pledges are fulfilled" Editor MOss's sup
porters, the chairman and secretary of the
Greene county Democratic committee,
have issued circular i'll which
it is implied that he is the
only Democrat to be depended upon who is
candidate for the place. 1t extols his
services TO the party and in the course of
its matter concerning the position of Sec
retary of the Senate, states: 1T should be
filled by man whose loyalty to party
principles and party interests is rs firm and
unyielding as the adamautine rocks; it
should be filled by man who is competent
and honest-morally, intellectually and
politically, and be one who will always be
there and can be depended upon under
all circumstances" Editor Craig has
not seen this circular vet. but
il is presumed he and reformer
Rice will issue one as acounter-irritant in n
day or two 1t is further urged in favor of
Moss that he comes from county that has
MT had single federal Office under the adj
ninstration of Grover Cleveland, while
counties with no more nor no better Demo-
cIats have had several appointments. As
ffr iraf i'm