The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-03-29
BUREAU OF THE SENTINEL,
1870 NEW IORK-AvF., n. W..
WASHINGTON. ID. C.. March y.

WASHINGTON. ID. G., March r.
The Burke appointment is the chief
topic OF hotel lobby talk. The local papers
have all commented upon the great sur.
prise. All Indianians have freely criti-
cised the appointment, and the question
discussed now is who is responsible for the
political blunder. 1t has been stated by
persons near to President Cleveland that
the president was not aware OF Burke's
bad record. and that Senator Voorhees,
alone was responsible. Yet Senator Tur-
pie has informed several Indianians
that no thought the president
knew the facts but be 10 not positive.
The general opinion is that the president
Knew nothing about II. a New York
Congressman who stands close to President
Cleveland SAYS that no doubt the presi-
tent had been told all about Burke. but II
vas not placed In writing, and he did not
remember tho matter when he considered
The case. lie has lately said that he could
not remember conversations 10 regard to
candidates, and the only sure way was TO
Gle statements in writing. This close
friend Of Mr. Cleveland saws that Burke
would not have been appointed had the
facts relative 10 Burke been reduced 10
writing and placed on file.
Labor Resolutions withhold.
One thing is certain, the resolutions
adopted by the labor orgt nizations never
reached the president. Tie responsibility
for with holding these protests has not
yet been located. Jason Brown. who as
sisted Senator Voorhees, in pro curing
Burks's appointment, has this 90 say about
what Mr.. Cleveland knew of Burke. In
urging the mans appointment Brown
raised two objections TO kern-that In
dianapoiis had tho Mexican mission and
that the Third district had nothing. and
had nothing eight ysarsago, although next
90 tho Fort Wayne district it was the
largest democratic district in the state.
Also that Ksrn was a hold-ovsr senator in
n close district and that tho republicans
would probably elect his successor If he
resigned 10 accept the attorneyship. The
president Was much surprised, Brown says.
whea informed of Kerns unexpired sena-
torial term. "Why didn't his friends tell
me this?" exclaimed the president in
tone showing displessure because some
thing had been concealed.
Brown took advantage of the situation
and Eaid: "Mr. President, / will not de-
ciove you about my candidate. / will
lectlons have been made against his APP
poiniment because he voted against the
co-employe bill" Then Brown explained
the provision OF the first draft of the CO.
employe bill, which was introduced but
never passed on account of some radical
features. The president replied; "Tho
bill should have bean defeated"
What burke Did DO.
The bill that Burke defeated was not
The one outlined by Brown. 1t was a
copy of the Massachusetts law. Ii Burke
had simply voted against it there would
be no serious objection TO his action, but
II was tho course he pursued to prevent a
vote on the bill by resor.Ing TO oil sorts OF
questionable parliamentary tricks aided
by Parson Chase from the chair. When
the bill passed in the last DAYS of
the session. il went back TO tho
house amended. 90 as 20 give
the railroads still more advantages.
Invent 20 Q conference committee Burke
was on the committee and no never al
lowed report 10 be made 10 the senate.
IL died in conference. But bis record on
this bill Is very small part OF the obiec-
lions to him. He stood up in the senate
against every reform measure, and was
the mouthpiece OF the lobby. lie did not
conceal his work and when tauntod about
Ii he replied: Eyes; and what are You
going to do about it?" He has been
so dead politically in Indiana that
he is frequently held up as
tendencies to legislate for Doodle only
Beware Of the political fate Of Burke"
has frequently appeared in the news-
papers when warning msmbers to look
out for the lobby. He was beaten in a
square fight for denomination TO the SEN
ate at the primaries, after a full discus
sion OF his record upon the stump. His
legislative record was the issue. He
could not be elected to an Office even In a
county as strongly democratic as Allen.
Brown Didn't Tell.
But Brown did not tell the president
about this. DO did not tell him that no
fought the Australian ballot law, and had
be been powerful enough Indiana would
still be Doodle state. He did not tell
him Of the juggling with the cigarette bill.
He did not tell him that Burke was so
displeased st Cleyeland's nomination that
he said that there was one consolation,
Cleveland could not be elected, and 10
vindicate his prediction he refused to lift
his hand To elect him. OF course the
state committee feared 10 antagoaize
workingmen by assigning him on the
stump, and he was thus handicapped.
Brown did not tell the president how
Burke always referred 10 the size Of Cleve-
lands neck when referring to him before
and even after, the nomination. Brown
says, too. that the FIGHT against Burke by
organized labor brought Acknowledgement
Olney 10 his support. because Brown saws
Olney - a corporation lawyer. but upon
reliable authority tho statement "a made
that Attorney-Gsneral 0lney was much
surprised when he heard Burkes record
after the appointment had been made.
Bot the nasty confirmation OF Burke by
the senAte shows where the responsibility
rests. One word by either senator would
have DELAYED the confirmation until. at
least. the president had time 10 investi-
gate the character Of the appointment.
UnseemIy Haste.
Bot when the rumor got ont that demo