The Indianapolis journal., 1892-01-13
HIS LIGHTNING ROD is UP
And Isaac Pusey Gray Expects the Pres
idential Lightning to Strike II Sure.
Town Full of Democratic Aspirants Prepara-
tory to the State Committee Meeting To.
Dsy-Shsnklin and Niblack.

my lightning-rod is up." said ex-Gov.
Isaac Pusey Gray to friend in the Deni-
son House lobby last evening, land the
lightning is going to strike it. for there is
nothing under heaven that can prevent me
from getting that nomination for President
of the United Statesw
Mr.. Gray evidently has a great deal more
confidence in his presidential aspirations
than even his most enthusiastic friends.
Careful perusal of the newspapers through
out the country leads to the conviction
that he has become obsolete. He does not
appear in any of the political calculations
or suggested combin ations.
The hotel corridors filled up with Demo-
Gratis last night from different parts OF the
State, who had come to attend the State
Democratic. committee meeting to-day.
Among the number were Senator Burke
and NJ. +. Stannard, of JeffersOnville; Syd-
ney Moon. of Rochester. who is q candidate
for Supreme Court Reporter: j. 6. Shank
lin and Mason Niblack. both ont for Gov
ernor. and Eli Nj. Brown, of Columbia City,
in addition TO other members Of the COM
mittee.
1t is understood that there is much oppo-
sltion among the members of the commit
tee against G. l.. Jewett for chairman. AS
to who will be chosen for this important
Office there seemed to be little doubt last
night but that Thomas Taggart would be
the man by unanimous choice.
Ex-Governor Gray was Hitting restlessly
about among the members in the offices of
the Grand and Denison hotels last night
urging upon them the advisability of an
early State convention. he didn't
seem to be advocating the candi-
dacy of any particular man for the
head OF the ticket. but he was very urgent
in in favor of holding the convention soon.
| The apparent reason for this is that Mr..
| Gray Is impatient to know just how he
| stands with the State Democracy for Pres
| ident. He doubtless thinks that 1t has its
| mind made up by this time. and the sooner
the agony is over the better Fort Wayne
| is hard after the convention and it has a
| delegation down here to lobby with the
| committee. The town offers TO pay all the
expenses and furnish commodious hall:
The committee will meet at 10 O'Clock this
morning at the State central committee
| rooms. on Maryland street. between Illinois
| and Tennessee. Conspicuous among the
| Democrats to arrive In town last night was
the Hon. j. u. Shankiin. OF Evansville,
| who found time enough to lay aside the ed.
| itoriai pen and take up the sword IN his
| fight for the nomination for Governor. Mr..
| Shanklin is to be admired for his candid
| candidacy, for he makes no bones about
| the fact. Ask him If he's candidate, and
| before you've had time to brace yourself
| for the shock, he TIPS out: Am III Well. L
| / should say. Why. am the hottest man IN
| the race; and Tm a sure winner, toO."
| Not even the blush of mock modesty tints
| his cheeks. and when his self-cOnfidence is
| quickened by an assurance OF certainty
| from a friend. instead of tho hectic flush
| of ditfidence surmountlng his brow, he
| compliments the friend on his clever judg-
| mont "As far as newspaper comment goes.
| have been a promising candidate for a
| year or more.p said MIR. Shanklin. He
| didn't say whether the Evansville Courier
was one of the leading supporters or not.
my name was first mentioned at the last
| national Democratic convention, but up To
| within the past twelve months have treat
ed all such mention as mere compliments.
| and smIl led 1t off good -naturedly. Within
| that period. however. began 60 see and
| believe that the Democrats really wanted
| me- and so / decided not to act stubborn
| about the matter. and allowed my name to
| go in in earnest"
| MIR. Shanklin feels confident that the
| Democrats will do their duty, and is per-
| fsctly willing to abide the consequences.
Areporter said to ex-Speaker Niblsck last
| night: Il understand you think you have
| thirty counties solid"
Better than that. my boy. better than
| that" he answered, with that familiar
| smile which has won him SO many vic
| tories. 'Pve got the entire nlnety-two,
| and Pm sure winner"
If the reader will glance at the interview
| with Gil Shanklin. III this column, he Will
| see that those words-"sure wiDner'-were
/
| man from Evansville.
lis there anything in the rumor of a deal
| between you and Mr. Shively to the effect
| that you are to be content with the Lieu
| tenant-gOvernorship. and he will 60 on as
| Governor. and later as United States Sena.
| tort"
well / should say not" answered Mr..
Niblack, with withering contempt Not
| bit of it. 90 on Governor. or not at
aIi. / would never accept the Lieutenant
| governors chair. Me, Niblack, taking a
| second place to Shively Aw. no." And
| the handsome ex-Speaker OF the
General Assembly lifted his new
silk tile and mopped the beads
| of perspiration that sneh thought had
started on his shiny. bald head. There are
| few handsomer men IN Indiana than Mason
| j. Niblack when he gets in q newly pressed
| cut-away suit. patent leather shoes and
| silver gray spats. Unlike most bald-head-
ed men. he is proud of that little skating
| rink head of his. and says he can think
| quicker than when he had q full growth of
| hair.
| Bent Murdoch. of Lafayette, says that
| Shively has Withdrawn from the race and is
| no longer to be counted init. Nevertheless.
| Mr.. Murdock, Silas SheeriD, James Ii. Rice
| and the members of that faction will con-
| tinue to be just antagonistic to Bynum.
as though they had Shively to center on.