The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-05-29
FIGHTING OVER The OFFICES.
The Indiana Republicans at Washington
Disguised with Harrison.

Washington Cor. N Y. Times.l
A storm is brewing among Indiana politicians
in Washington that Is apt TO break soon, to the
establishment of President Harrison. Ever since
March complications over Indiana appoint
ments have been accommodating. 4 widespread
discomfort has been created, which has never
come to the knowledge of the president in its
full force because of the Discrimination of all
those bidding for patronage 70 involve them
selves in the unpleasantness by being the ones
TO make IL unknown.
When President Harrison reached the white
house the general belief among the 800 men,
bers of the Indiana republican association here
was that while the civil service law would be
enforced liberal construction of it would be
made when the interests of the republicans
could be served; that those who had been dis
missed from the government service for polt-
lcal reasons would be reinstated without regard
TO civil service rules and that liberal provision
would be made by which ex-sOldiers could more
readily secure government positions. Presi-
dent Harrison has been too conservative to
please his Indiana followers. Ii has been
plainly shown by motion made in the repub-
hcan association from that state at its last
meeting, when the question OF disseminating
the association as political body and reorgan-
ling on a social basis discussed. The
president of the association, who is Capt. It. III.
Mckee, was forcible in advocating this course,
and said he could see no reason for political
organization in Washington if the civil service
law was TO be enforced. When put 10 a vote
the motion was defeated.
But this discomfort has been brewing, and
lndlanans, at a loss TO know what President
Harrison's policy really is, have stifled their
denunciatiOnS of il and the president. hoping
for a change which has not come. A short time
ago Congressman Cheadle of Indiana called
on Secy. Noble TO secure appointments for the
HoOsiers at his hands. 81 am sorry" answered
the secretary, shut President Harrison has told
me he wished no appointments whatever made
fI.,sv Id.
except with his approval" Mr.. Cheadle there
upon went TO the white house, and upon repeat
ing 10 the president the secretarys words was
astonished at the reply. IL did not tell Mr..
Noble that" said Mr. Harrison. Mr. Cheadle
went away without any satisfactory explanation
of what the president did intend regarding
the members OF the party in his state. 1t is
known that Treasurer Huston made a reply
similar to that OF Secy. Noble some time ago,
and when its purport was made known 10 Secy.
Haltord it was denied.
These accidents have resulted in rather
muddled conception of the presidential inten-
tons regarding Indiana among HOosiers. but
II has, together with the official acts of the
president, created a unanimous feeling that no
HOOsier can hope for political patronage who
does not personally know Mr.. Harrison and
that the appointments issuing from the white
house OF voters OF that state are made on per
sonal rather than political grounds. A prOmi-
nent Indiana republican said tonight: "Presi-
dent Harrison Is sacrificing his party by allow
ing his personality to have free play. lie is
not now recognizing those party leaders who
carried him through the campaign successfully.
One-half of the appointments he has made in
Indiana have been OF men from indianapolis,
while the northern part of the state has been
ignored by him and has received not one APP
pOintment He is making mistake and lead
erS OF the party know il and want to tell him
20, but hesitate TO breach the subject. IL is not
so much the fault OF Harrison as it is of his adj
visers. Those whose cOunsels have most
weight with him know nothing of practical
politics. In this number Private Secy. Halford
figures very prominently
President HarrisOns slOwness in recognizing
Indiana claims has resulted in number of the
members of the colony of ofice-seekers from
his state giving up hope. and number of them
are packing up and will leave here for home
within q day or two. Among these is N. :.
Ragsdale OF WorthingtOn, who two years ago
contested the Second district, which had previ-
ously gone 1000 democratic, succeeding in re-
ducing his majority 10 loo. Ragsdale did
this with no hope of carrying the district, but
simply 70 benefit the party of the state and
looked for his reward at Mr. HarTison's hands.
Ragsdale had involved himself financially by
the expenses of the campaign, so that he could
himself from his difficulties. He came to
Washington 10 the Inauguration and has been
here ever since, but Will probably start for
hame Tomorrow. He wanted to be Indian CON-
missioner. but Harrison told him that could
not 20 to Indiana. He applied for the position
Of superintendent of Indian schools. That APP
pointment went to Massachusetts,, and now he
wants anything ne can get, but is disheartened
with no hope Tor even a clcrkship.