The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19
HOKUs, OR HOAX, SMITH.
Great Democratic Newspaper Kindly Ex-
plains Who and What He Is
An esteemed Democratic correspondent
In Bath sends us this whimsical inquiry:

plains VINO ana WhB
New York Sun.
An esteemed Democratic correspondent
in Bath sends us this whimsical inquiry:
Who in blazes is Hokus Smith, Every news
paper see has lot of stuff about HulIus Smith,
OF Georgia. being Secretary of the Interior. VIII
there any such man as Hokus Smith. or is he a
myth or pseudonyme! What is the joke. any
way!
Our esteemed correspondent is evidently
puzzled by the unusual Christian name of
the Hon. Hokus Smith. Hokus or Hoax is
unusual at least in these parts, although IL
may be more familiar In Georgia. The
family name of Mr.. Hokus Smith, on the
contrary. Is borne by SO many estimeble
citizens that 1t has pleasant. home
like sound In all our ears. The
popularity or distinction of Mr.. Hokus
Smiths name Is It's blending Of the
and vigorous name. We take Hokus to he
u name of Scandinavian or Gothic origin,
AKIN. perhaps. TO Hskon OF Hagen. or to
the various forms of hook, hake, etc. To
receive such name is OF itself piece OF
good fortune, and Mr.. Hokus Smith has
worn 1t gracefully. Instead of being an
apagram like the name of Voltaire or q
translation like Erasmus, 1T Is genuine and
actual
In lnquirinu if Mr. HoKus Smith is amyth
Joking himself, and in n manner which, We
must be permitted to say, is unjust to his
reputation for good taste. Mr.. Hukus Smith
Is, we believe, man of vast vitality and
imposing physical bulk. He is. or has been.
we are informed. a lawyer; but he has
earned hla chief distinction by his activity
as the editor or proprietor OF newspaper.
In the face of immense opposition he per-
slstently advocated the denomination of
Mr.. Gle Seland in 1892, and for some years
before il be stood up for that change In
tariff policy which at length eliminated
last year in the declaration that all pro-
t,vn Hnvn ,t,.t, IL
newspapers of most influence and weight
in Georgia were inclined toward protec-
tion likely to be beneficial
to that State. and they were
Cleveland. Mr.. Hokus Smith was perhaps
the most convinced and industrious laborer
for Mr.. Cleveland's denomination to he
round in the south; aud after the re-elec-
ton of Mr.. Cleveland IL was natural that
the friends of MIR. Hokus Smith should ex-
expect him to hold Othce himself, or to be q
powerful adviser In regard To the distri bu-
ton of offices. The announcement made in
his newspaper some time ago that Georgia
candidates for federal office would have to
send IN their papers through Mr.. HOkus
Smith was explained by him to be unau-
thorZed: but 1t expressed a belief. IL not u
fact, and was gratifying evidences TO Mr.
Hokus Smith of the influence which was
attrl but ted to him III his own State and by
his own newspaper.
The laborer is worthy of his hire, and Mr..
Hokus Smiths earnest and successful Ia
bors for Mr.. Cleveland are entitled TO a re-
ward. This. is n sound political practice.
| and one which even these Georgian Demo-
| Gratis who have not shared In Mr.. Hokus
Smiths labOrs must approve. MIR. HOkus
! Smith may still be not well known in
Maine, but be has achieved reputation in
| Georgia. and should he be called to the
| Cabinet. he would undoubtedly illustrate.
with new and national distinction. the
name which our uniformed Bath corre-
! spondent presumes to question. There can
be no doubt. We trust. that Mr.. Hokus
| Smith is AS loyal TO the Chicago platform
! as he is to Mr.. Cleveland.