The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-03-22
Factions Interview a. Washington, Calling
Burke the Great Wheedler- Into Line of
the Disseminated Labor Vote.
Judge Ayres Talks Very Plainly About
Burke, and Says He Was a Tool.
Civil Service Reformers Realize They Trusted
in False Gods in Cleveland-Goyernor
Matthew's Days Work-Notes.
KERN A CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR.

"
disappointment Over Burke Still Rampant
Among the Democrats.
The appointment OF Burke and the dis
appointment of Kern in re the district
attorneys ship promises to be a nine days
sensation among the local Democracy.
Judge A. G. Ayres. president Of the Hen
bricks Club. the most influential Demo-
cratic organization in the State. a Cleve.
land delegate To the Chicago convention,
and one of the most prominent of the
Cleveland men In last years light, made no
effort TO conceal his disgust yesterday. 81
was for Kern" said he, but l could have
accepted almost n of his opponents
with better grace than Burke. Though /
do not know him personally at all. it is my
understanding that. in the Legislature. he
was the tool of q lobby. and stood for cor
poration interests for other thar conscien-
tious motives. That Voorhees, should be
permitted to force the appointment OF
such a man | regard as q serious mistake"
The Democratic organ yesterday came
very near expressing the or W
per cent of the local Democracy when 1t
roasted" Cleveland for Burke's appoint
ment and denounced Burke as 1.-THE reo0g.
nized mouthpiece of the corporation lobby"
tho uncompromisiD and studlousiy OF
fenslve enemy of organized labor" and "a
machine politician in the fullest sense OF
the term" 1t contained also an interview
with Kern from Washington. The CORE
spondent found Mr.. Kern looking cheer
fur and the disappointed office seeker ex-
pressed himself in this cheerful fashions:
cannot confess TO serious disappointment
From the first I have expressed grave doubts Of
my success. From a political standpoint the
appointment Is a good one. Mr.. Burke was 40
disappointed at Cleveland's nomination that he
dc no work In the late camldlgn. UnIS appOllI-
ment will bring him in line and greatly strength
en- our forces In southern Indiana Mr.. Cleve-
land understands that Democrats like myself
work for the party all the harder the more we,
are kicked, and so no harm Is done by turning
me down. Then our labor vote was getting q
little restless, especially in the cities. Mr..
Burke's appointment Will bring the labor vote In
line, and We need apprehend no languOr in that
strong in labor circles. rake il ali in ali. the ap-
p~Ointment ia a good one. Mr.. Cleveland re-
wards a true and tried champion and friend and
pleases the rank and file of the Indiana Democ-
racy beyond expression. For myself. l have a
good law business. to which l shall devote my
self until the Democracy needs my services.
when, of course, l shall go out and whoop up the
boys for voorhees,. Turpie and reform.
The disappointment of Kern may have q
more important effect upon local politics
than IS at first imagined. His friends have
already named him as a very likely man
for Mayor, and if he wants the Democratic
nomination for that office he can probably
get it without any trouble whatever. And
he will probably want il. 1t 10 q position
of high honor and large respon sibility.
with q comfortable salary of "a. 600 per
year and o big patronage list that makes 1t
tempting TO the eyes of the average Demo-
cratic politician. kern has behind him ele-
ments that are remarkably influential In
local Democratic ouncils. and unless he
should decline to run, through some unfor-
seen circumstance, Sullivan and Downing
might as well get out of the way.
Mr.. SWIFT FULL OF WRATH.
But the rest of the Democrats are not
half as wrstrful as is Lucius B. Swift, who
constitutes the Civil-servIce Reform AssO-
citation of the State. In his next issue of
the Chronicle Mr.. Swift will say:
The appointment of Frank b. Burke. of Jeffer-
sonville, to be United states district attorney
for Indiana, is SO unfortunate that it ought to be
withdrawn. Burke was q member OF our State
Sen te in 1889 and 1891. He was one OF the
leaders in defeating the civilservice bill which
out OF politics. He opposed the Australian
ballot bill and was the OILY Democrat in
the General Assembly who voted against il.
He opposed the new charter for this city.
Any measure that was for the general benefit
could safely count on Burkes opposition. lie Is
one OF the most vicious men who ever got into
public place. His appointment seems TO he due
10 the influence of Senator Voorhees,. After be-
ing the chief factor in bringing Mr.. Cleveland's
former administration into disgrace in Indiana,
it is strange that Voorhees, should have any in
fiuence. He Is working solely and only to Sc
cure the reelection OF Daniel w. voorhees, to the
Senate without friction. He cares nothing for
the public service. He Is a bourbon OF bOur-
bons; he has never been known TO lift up his
voice for any kind OF reform. There is a reform
element in the Democratic party in this State.
1t has to fight steadily against such men as
Burke and Voorhees,. and against them it has
already accomplished Important work.