The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-03-22
BUREAU OF THE SENTINEL, I
1920 ERW YORK-AvE.,
~ - = y a = = n n
WAsHINGTON. ID. c., Mar

WAsHINGTON, ID. C., March 20.
The nomination OF Frank Burke for U.
S. district attorney fell upon Indianians
here like a wet blanket When the re-
port reached the hotel lobbies no one
could believe it. and only when it had
been verified by the afternoon papers did
they realize the awful predicament the
party was placed in by this nomination.
Membe OF congress and offce-seekers
alike joined in bewailiDg the appointment
of a man against whom organized labor
of the state was arrayed. With the ex-
oeption of Jason Brown, not a men,
Der oil the house could be found TO APP
prove of the appointment. Members
representing districts having large labor
votes We're especially down-hearted at an
appointment which would be made an
issue in the next campaign.
Burke's ability was admitted, but his
record as legislator was the objection.
His legislative record was so well known
by Indianians that no one expected to see
Burke appointed. His name was never
thought of in connection with the place
except by Senator Voorhees, and Mr..
Brown. John w. Kerns appointm ent
was expected for many reasons. In the
fret place. his appointment was the only
state Office asked by Senator Turpie,
Hawkins and Burke both being first
recommended by Voorhees, and credited
to him. 1t was generally understood that
Turple would have sufficient influence to
Rxsr,
made strong fight for Kern. Kern is
good lawyer. mas e clean record and is
popular with the rank and file OF the
party and strong with the labor element
His legislative record is beyond reproach.
He never opposed a just labor bill, has
never been the tool OF corporations. Be-
fore the latter's nomination ne had the
courage to take the stump for Cleveland.
and will be remembered as the author of
the Orange county resolution which
started the Cleveland ball in Indiana a.
rolling In the campaign he was on the
stump every day, sometimes making two
speeches daily.
Burke's Record.
On the other hand. Burke stood up in
thes senate against every reform measure
proposed. He was the only democratic
member to oppose the Australian ballot
bill and he made a speech in opposition
to its passage. He opposed every labor
reform bill and was the bitterest enemy
OF the Indianapolis charter. He was the
open champion OF the lobby on the floor
of the senate. Before the Chicago con-
vention he called Cleveland stuffed
| prophet" and other names, and during
| the campaign he sulhed and refused to
! lift his hand to elect Cleveland. After
the election he was the first to come for
! ward for q Job. His labor record was so
bad that organized labor issued blue
! book" against him and in q square fight
| at the primaries he was defeated for re-
| nomination TO the state senate, leading
workingmen taking the stump against
| him. Since his name was presented
! for district attorney labor organi-
! cations have passed resolutions against
his appointment and they were sent
here. But they never reached the presi-
/ dent. No one informed the president of
| the record of Mr.. Burke. Senator Tur-
| pie. who was supposed TO have kern's
affairs IN charge, never hinted to the pres
ident that Burke's appointment would in
| jure the party at the next election. The
/ president, while he will be held RESPONSE
BILE for this bad appointment, is the vic
tim OF misplaced confidence.
In some quarters Kern's defeat is ex-
planned on account of his location. Indi-
annapolis having Gray for minister to Mex
| leo, they say. should be satisfied The ar
/ gument was used against Kern also that
he was q hold-over senator in close dis
Irict. But il Kern could not be appointed
there were other candidates better enti-
tied TO recognition than Burke, and
against whom nothing could be said.
There were Vaughan of Bluffton, Swan OF
the First district, Korbley OF Madison,
Pickens OF Spencer, Shirley OF Martins
| vile, and others. But they were all
passed TO take up the most undesirable OF
the lot.
MIR. Kern's Statement.
John w. Kern, the defeated candidate
will return home tomorrow. He has the
sympathy OF every one here, but he docs
not seem to feel the blow as much as his
friends do. Had he been defeated by q
hard-working democrat he would have
been perfectly satisfied. This evening
THE SENTINEL correspondent found him al
the Riggs housa with party of friends
looking cheerful. In answer to o question
he made the following statement for pub
lication: II cannot confess 10 serious dis
appointment. From the fret have ex.
pressed grave doubts of my success From
political standpoint the appointment il
good one. Mr.. Burke was SO dIsap
pointed at Cleveland's nomination that
he did no work in the late cam.
paign. This appointment will bring him
in line and greatly strengthen our forces
In southern Indiana. Mr.. Cleveland un
derstands that democrats like myself
work for the party all the harder the mory
we are kicked, and so no harm is done by