The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-09-02
A COMPROMISE ON JEWETT
Voorhees, and Gray Factions Will Not
Trust Each Other as Party Managers.
The Suggestion to Make the Ex- Governor Chair
man of the Committee Aroused the Wrath
and Opposition of Voorhees, Followers.

1uc DuSgcotiVHt W Mdkc tuc GA"UONtInOI Ohoi-
man of the Committee Aroused the Wrath
and Opposition of Voorhees, Followers.
After q delay of nearly two months, in
which the availability of nearly every
prominent Democrat in the State had been
discussed, the party has practically decided
that Chairman Jewett shall continue as the
ostensible head of the committee. and no
change is probable before the close of the
township ~canvasses next spring. The
friends both of Governor Gray and Senator
Voorhees, have found that they cannot
reach an amicable understanding regarding
the disposition of the Craftsmanship, and the
leaders ave concluded that it will be bet
ter to await the actual Inauguration of the
State campaign before placing another at
the head of the party committee. While
there is an intimation that Jewett himself
would like to go to the Senate as Voorhees,
successor, Gray and the Senator do not re-
gard him as a formidable opponent, and are
not disposed to push the matter of his
resignation. In fact, Gray is said to nave
advised against the step on the part of
Jewett. for the reason that his resignation
at this time is almost certain to result in
the selection of a pronounced Voorhees,
adherent for the position.
Terre Haute Democrat who was in the
city last week said that the committee was
practically fxed in it's choice of a chairman
u Jewett resign, and that under such
circumstances his successor would GER
tainly come from the section of the State in
which Voorhees, was most popular. What
ever might be his individual preference
between Gray and Voorhees,, local pressure
would be such that he could not manage
the campaign in the interest of the former.
There are a number of Voorhees, friends"
said he. who would accept the chairman
ship rather than see it go to Gray or any
man who may be considered his particular
supporter. Among these is the elder Nc
Mutt, OF !erre Haute. who would not have
the position under any circumstances unless
it was to prevent the State. campaign from
being run against Voorhees's interest. The
little talking during the agitation of elect
ing a new chairman, but they have been
thoroughly organized, and when the
time comes they will show their hands
in a way that will surprise some of
the small-fry politicians who think that
Gray is to be the next United States Sena-
tor from Indiana. They lave been fully
prepared for such an attempt as was re-
Gently foreshadowed to place the commit
tee in Gray's hands. but the moment the
scheme ripened would nave been the signal
for one of the hottest factional fights that
has ever been seen In the State. In fact,
Gray would have found that his friends
upon the committee were decidedly in Q
minority, and a Terre Haute man would
lave carried off the honors. The commit
tee, if not run in the interest of Voorhees,,
would certainly not lave been run against
Lamb, and there was a perfect understand
ing between every friend of Voorhees, upon
the committee"
The same gentleman is authority for the
| statement that Gray's refusal to be 'consid-
cred for the Craftsmanship was the result of
some advice which he received from the
Pocket" statesmen just after he returned
from the West. He foundt that Ed Richard
son and Others, whom he supposed willing
of its ~propriety. They stated to him that
| such a course could not fail to arouse
f%actional feelings, and it was better for all
concerned that the chairmanship should
either remain where it was. or that some
one, not q pronounced friend ofeither him
| self or of Voorhees,, should be selected.
This advice was based upon rather q cur
ious condition of affairs In the Pocket"
which. while illustrating the impolitic con-
duct of the Evansville Courier. made it inn
possible for Gray to secure a cordial sup
port from that section of the State as
chairman of the State central committee.
The Courier" said the Journals in
formant, Twas the most pronounced oppo-
nent that Gray had during his canvass
for the nomination for Governor against
Landers. and the paper said many hard
things abOut him, declaring that he had
come into the party for office. and that he
could not he elected if nominated for the
governorship. Day after day the Courier's
columns were full of abuse, and when Lam
ders was nominated, the defeat of Gray was
called a personal victory for the Shanklins.
and the paper was really controlled by him
in all its attacks upon Gray. Four years
later the Courier took no hand in the fight
against Gray, but rather Endorsed him by
saying nothing against him-a change that
would naturally result to his advantage
wherever the paper had influence. Shortly
after this Shanklin went ITO Washington
aiter an appolntmen out, IKE q good many
nized. He attributed his disappointment
to Voorhees, and Hendricks, and soon after
a series of editorials appeared in the Courier
ad rnsa TIM n a change f ct J leaade ef This his
and Voorhees, against the paper. and when
the Courier sought to bring Gray forward
as the leader who was to supplant the Vice
president and the Senator the change of
Democrats could not stand it. They re-
called the abuse that had been heaped
upon Gray four years before, and
as much of the prejudice then
aroused continued to exist against Gray.
it grew in intensity When the Courier
sought t. put him forward as the party
leader in the State. The first effects Of this
spirit. as il affected Gray, was seen last
| year, when the convention sought to in
dorse his candidacy for the vice-presi-
dency. George Shanklin and Congress
man Cobb were on the committee on resO-
%lutions, and when they met to transact the
business they were forced to throw their
votes against the resolutions of indorse-
their. constituency though they gave it
moral support by saying that they indi-
vidually. approved of 1T. This was the
meeting before the State convention that
passed the resolution %instructing the dele
gates. to the national convention to vote
for him.. This prejudice still exists
against Gray, and the fact that the
Courier caused it to exist is a
source of modification to the Shanklins.
now that they want every body to regard
Gray as the leading Democrat of the State.
They are for him for the Senate, and bit
terly opposed to Voorhees,, but this very
fact Is working to Voorhees, advantage in
the COuriers territory.