The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-11-16
MR.. BYNUM'S REASONS
Why the "Grass Burner" May Not
Run for Congress Next Year.
His Distribution of Local Offices Unsat-
isfactOry to John Kern, Smith Myers
and Other Pap-Seekers.
NO HOPE OF DENOMINATION
And No Confidence that DemOc-
racy Will Carry the District.
Representative ~Springer's Plan to In
crease the Circulating Medium
Alabama PrOtectiOnists Ignored.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Nov. B.-Representative
Bynum has for a couple of days been in
the recesses Of the Virginia mountains gun
ming for squirrels and birds, and it was i'm
possible for the Journal correspondent to
secure from him to-day either a denial or
confirmation of the report that he had de-
cided to decline the race for a renomina-
ton to Congress and retire to the practice
of Law in Washington. 1t was stated at Mr..
Bynum's house to-day that he would not
return here until the end of this week. The
report that the Indianapolis Representative
did not intend to contest for a return to
Congress has frequently come to the Jour
nal correspondent, and he has inquired of
Mr.. Bynum If the report was true, but the
questions have been evaded in such a way
as to leave the impression that the Repre-
sentative of the Seventh Indiana district
was undecided; that he was viewing the
field for the purpose of ascertaining what
his chances were for denomination, and
that he intended TO wait until the tariff
bill was passed and see how that measure
developed and what the Industrial condi-
ton in his district would be under the new
tariff proposition before he made known his
ultimate decision.
1t transpires that the news of Mr.. By
NUNS cogitation and the fact that he was
feeling about for the purpose of making
up his mind as to retiring from Congress
cropped out in a private conversation by
one of his Hoosier colleagues in the House.
who is also in a close quarter as to both
the denomination and the outcome if he
should be successful in the primary con-
test. Three or four of the Democratic Rep
resentatives from Indiana, whose predica-
ments were reviewed by a Washington spe-
cial in Mondays Journal, are also in doubt
as to whether they Will voluntarily retire to
private life before the next campaign.
Among them are Brookshire, Martin and
Taylor.
An Indianapolis Democrat, who recently
arrived here to confer with Mr.. BynuIn,
and whose name is known to nearly every
person in Marion county,, stated to the Jour
nal correspondent to-day that ne had
learned from Chairman Taggart and from,
Mr. Bynum himself that the question of
the latter'S retirement was not altogether
one as to whether he could be elected if re-
nominated, but largely a question of re-
nomination.. "Mr. Bynum has been exceed
ingly unfortunate" said he, "in the distri-
button of offices under this administration.
- AD@0 ~ Nh~oS 60 ~ PoN AAAAioN4 O&N
of point with nearly all of the party work
ers. 1 don't believe it would be possible for
him to defeat John w. Kern in an open
contest for the nomination next year. Why,
Mr.. Bynum, as early as last January, made
the voluntary and solemn promise to Smith
Myers that he should be surveyor of the
port of Indianapolis. He also promised the
position OF district attorney and marshal
to other men than those who now hold
them. Smith Myers is but one Of the few
who have secretly registered a vow that
Mr.. Bynum shall not come to Congress
again. The selection of Mr.. Tanner to be,
surveyor OF the port was made upon the
demand of John r. Wilson and Benjamin
a. Eaton, and Mr.. Bynum thought it would
placate a certain element which would 9TH
erwise rise up against him in the race for
the denomination. Instead of pacifying, il
has only intensified the Smith Myers and
one or two other elements. 1t would be i'm
possible for Mr.. Bynum to now secure an
organization in Marion county which would
insure him that delegation in the next nom
mating convention.
1t would seem that Mr.. Bynum had re-
Gently been, in a confidential manner, seek
ing advice from two or three of the
most prominent and influential members of
lIC Jus OdNoALC u Io " dGlCAdliOU.
One who occupies as commanding a posi-
ton in the House as any Democrat, ex-
cepting Speaker Crisp, said to the Journal
correspondent to-day, after being assured
that his name would not be quoted to any
one: "Mr. Bynum talked to me some days
ago about declining a denomination. 1
don't think at that time that he had made
up his mind fully, and 1 doubt if he has at
this time, although he has practically con-
cluded to stay out of the race. He said to
me that it looked as though there would
be a Republican landslide next year, and it
would be a smart thing for men in his posi-
ton having industrial districts like his own
to step aside for a couple of years or until
the storm had passed. 1t is my opinion he
has reached the conclusion that he could
not be reelected owing TO the adverse effect
which the new tariff law must have upon
industries and labor. and that he simply
prefers to practice law until he is confident
that the Democratic control OF his district
is assured"
Another Democrat who comes from Mr..
Bynum's district stated to-day that there
was a good deal of dissatisfaction in the
ranks of the party because he had been
unable to get any of the common people
positions. He cited two Irishmen who came
To Washington some months ago to get
places and complained that Mr.. Bynum
would not go to the department with them
and try and get them positions, although
they offered TO hire a carriage and take
him around. These men are afterward re-
ported 10 have said that when Mr.. Bynum
had at his disposal one or two places under
the present organization of the House he
gave them TO residents of the District of
| Columbia instead Of the Seventh district Of
| Indiana
TO INCREASE THE CIRCULATION.