The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-09
Labor Agitators Divided as to Their Prefer
ences, and Their Work Is Becoming Marked
by Desire to Defeat Their Own Men.
IT Is Decided to Keep Lieut.-GOv. Rob-
ertson Out of the Senate Chamber.
Chairman Jewett's State Central Committee
Endorses the Caucus Action, and Will Take
Turn at Preparing an Election Law.

ticians and labor agitatOrs, all whispering,
buzzing or chattering about the Offices that
are to be had on decision of the Demo-
cratic caucus. No place is too small TO miss
having at least half-dozen men becom-
ing foot-sore and tired of tongue in pass
ing from one Senator or Representative to
another in their effort to secure pledges. So
many are the Office-seekers that they over
shadow the legislators, and in the center of
the crowd could be found the alleged rep
resentative of organized labor, like Tom
Gruelle, Ed Gould, James B. Wilson, and
others of that ilk They have factional
fight on hand, which was strengthened by
the publication of the Wilson letters, in
which he fatty stated that he wanted
to be doOr-keeper of the House
because he organized organized labor
in the interest of the Democratic party
during the last campaign. But this claim
is not Endorsed by Gruelle, with whom Will
son first acted in his efforts to bring about
an understanding with the labor agitators
and the Democratic State central commit
tee. Gruelle and his crowd had Andy L.
Wilson out for the position James b. Will
son desires, and Notwithstanding Andy
in his attempt to become president of the
benevolent boards, he was quietly pushed
yesterday, as it was regarded that his
chances were better on account of the JAS.
B. Wilson letters. Marley, Gruelle, Gould
and Stackhouse held a consultation about
the matter near one of the pillars in
the lobby during the afternoon, and
In the meantime James b. Wilson was
perspiring in his rushing efforts to con-
vince everybody that he was not Demo-
erat for revenue. GIuelle says the same
thing and is especially sOlicitous in his en-
deavors to prove that it would be damag-
ing to organized labor to give James Is.
Wilson position.
Gruelle though has to be somewhat eau
tious in his remarks concerning Wilson, as
the latter asserts that it was he who
Labor Signal, over to the Democratic party.
Wilson intimates that Gruelle got 81, 900 for
his services, solely on account of Wilson's
influence as Democrat in principle and
enter into the details of the deal
when questioned about it,. but al
lowed his questioner to draw the
inference that If Gruelle and Gould do not
mend their method he will be- inclined to
give some information that will cause them
to take to the bush.
The men who are supporting Wilson for
Door-keeper can be found on the side of
Schmuck fer Speaker, but as both belong to
beginning to inquire if it would not be just
as well to let Indianapolis Democrats with
their detachment of labor agltators and
traders manage the General Assembly to
dition to the so-called labor influence. has
the Endorsement of the Coy gang
through the solid Marion cogn-
claim to havo delivered organized labor to
the Democrats on principle, and not Tor
revenue, are trying to bind hand and foot
the legislators, the representatives of Coy
are assisting them. Willard is understood
to be an opponent of Schmnck, but his be-
ing frequently found with the labOr-tfaders
suggests a kinship between the candidates
of the Lawrence county statesman and
Marion county politicians. Niblack, the
third man in the race for Speaker, is hold
ing aloOf apparently from any entangle-
ments with the gang or other questionable
influences. 1t seems that his policy is
bearing good return in keeping at the front
TO break his lines. as Willard
went around distributing chairman
ships of the principal committees
indiscriminately, here and there throwing
in a page or two to make the bargain good.
Nib.ack did not think this would do him
much HARM as whenever Representative
had a promise from Willard he would
immediately let the young man from the
about it. There was a disposition in this
way to get chairmanships from Niblack,
but he says he has made no promises.
After all 1t is thought that when the final
be dropped for Door-keeper, leaving
Sehmuck the only leading Marion county
candidate in the field strengthened by
Wizards support. while. Harrell and
Shambaugb, who are keeping in the race
for that purpose, it is presumed, will give
their influence ID Nlblack.
Green Smith still wants the secretaryship
of the Senate brought to him ON a plate,
garnlShed by a unanimous vote. Senator 8
Duncan. Andrews and Branneman are try
ing to effect this, and during the morning
disturbed the serene confidence of candl-
date Moss for an hour or two. They ener-
getically circulated the idea that If the
Jennings county patriot was not made the
secretary by unanimous Democratic vote
IL would be a rebuke to the Senators who
upheld him in the reign of terror he tried to
establish at the last session. But Moss re-
covered from the shock, and by even
ing he was as confident as ever
that he would be elected. Craig,
the other candidate, had little to say, but
on to it until both talker and listener were
tired.
No one knew what position would be
taken In regard to ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
robertson. Every Senator w.s ready TO
but during the day the suggestion got
abroad that the Democrats were not SO vio-
lent In their disposition as Senator Cox. of
Morgan, who would like to be President
pro tempore of the Senate, and Senator
Harry Francis, of LaPorte. desired to have
them. An opinion prevailed, and it seemed
TO have more favor than any other method,
that on the meeting of the Senate the
Democrats would allow an organization
under Robinson to be perfected, file
D formal protest against his pre-
siding, and then adjourn until Monday.
But this plan came FROM those who wish to
avoid the scenes of two years ago and set
down, as they say, TO legislation. 1t is not
safe to assume that this will be done,
as there is no telling what the bulldozers
will do although it is admitted that to es-
cape from recognizing Robertson e. ca for q
few minutes, if he is once in the hair, but
one other course can be pursued, and that
is to keep him out of the Senate Chamber
altogether. The State Librarian has the
appointment of the temporary door-k sepers
and il is believed that. Notwithstanding the
opposition of the conservative Democrats
these door-keepeSs will be selected at the
dietation of the bulldOzers, to keep Robert
son out of the Chamber whenever he tsie:
10 enter it. Pritchett, of Evansville, who
guarded Green Smith two years ago, Is here
and ii is possible he will be appointed Door
keeper TO meet the emergency.
Marshafing the Forces.
There were little and big conferences on
nearly every floor of the Grand Hotel last
I'll. l. Il