The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-16
TIE UNPOPULAR SULLIVAN.
Democrats Are Leading Him Merry Dance In
Ills Efforts to Keep the Party United.

When tie Democratic city convention
occurs Mayor Sullivan will ostensibIy be
nominated unanimously for reelection.
That is there will be nc candidate named
against him, but that does not mean an al
laying of opposition. which IL as fierce a.
any truly good citizen with the backing of
vicious politicians can possibly have.
Indianapolis Democrats never cottoned to
Sullivan with any degree OF enthusiasm.
He was nomia ated because he had done
nothing to gain the i'll will of any one.
The majority Of his party looked upon him
as Hobson's choice. aud now they cannot
get rid of him. If it was not for stand
ing by him as the head of
charter Rovernmens on TRIAL
he wonld be thrown overheard. AS it is.
he is having bard time to keep his loot
ing. and he hardly puts himself in position
to think he is safe before something occurs
to keep up the racket against him. while
he il endeavOring TO arrange s-uce In one
part of the city. be 10 violently assailed In
another quarter. So it has been ever since
the people began TO talk about the city
cleo ton.
Mayor Sullivan's Board of Public Works
10 not popular. Ii is too dictatorial. for
one thing. to suit the common herd OF the
Democratic party. Its iniudicious exer.
else OF power 10 charged to the Mayor. and
Il. he doe does mot not pass ,a bis w" Sa
he will lose large percentage of the Demo-
cratic vote. Such a demand has been made
on him. but as either the doing or not do
ing of it means destruction be wisely says
holders on South West street. most of
whom own nothing but their modest
homes. are nursing . grievance. They do
not want an expensive improvement; such
as brick or asphalt, buc until recently the
Board of Public Works said they must have
brick. But for few days the board has
not been stepping high as usual in bOssiDs
the South West-street property-holders.
They think the big three have been called
of by Sullivan until after the election and
fear that the May or, in for Q second term,
will allow the board to put the iron
into them red-h0 Therefore they are not
serene over probabilities. and inter any
amount OF hard words about Sullivan, fol.
lowing them with assertions not TO vote for
him. 1t is down in that section of the city.
too, as we'll a. in other parts of the south
Side. that great deal OF wrath 10 having
full sweep OF accOnnJ of high tax yalua-
tions. These are particularly the grievance
OF the Germans. and reports of what they
say coming to SuIliyaD's ear make bis head
swim. Bnt the County Board OF Review
il trying TO circumyent danger in the loss
of that important vote by making as many
reductions as possible. This may bring
some back into the fold. but enough votes
of that class will remain out to cause Sui
lvan all the anxiety be can bear in his
present state of health.
But il the opposition caused By the Board
of Public Works and high tax assessments
cOuld be overcome Sullivan would have TO
make peace with the Irish Apericans in the
Twenty fifth ward and parts of the city
adjoining. Superintendent of Police Col
bert figures as an offender down there. 1t
Is charged that he made n great many
promises to have the boys appointed patriot
men. A great part of the list of would 6e
club-sw myers was composed of men living
where the Democratic party has ITS biggest
majorties. Very few If any were ap-
pointed. and hence there is not room enough
In their part of town for them and
Mayor Sullivan. He sent friends
down there to pacify the avengers.
but they would listen to nothing
that provided a compromise. The Mayor
then entered the field as peace maker.
and sent for leaders of the tuI bulent aud
opposing Democracy. They were not in
clincd. az first, to grant him the courtesy of
q visit. nut they went. and the MayOr said
to them: "What will satisfy you" They
replied: Removal of the Board of Public
Safety and Tom Colbert This knocked
ont the May or 8 diplomacy, and the leaders
left to redouble their cursing of Sullivan.
Colbert aud the board leaving the Mayor
to think ana do what he pleased.
In addition to these trials Is another OF
as great damaging power. The friends OF
City Clerk Swift are constantly talking
abont Sulliyans srltishness in taking re-
nomination by reclamation. when Swift.
who ia equally entitled TO such honor. has
to work. and work hard, night and day. to
be renominated. IL Swift is defeated IN
convention. il is understood that he and
his friends will lay down and let the Re-
publicans walk over sullivan.