The Washington times., 1894-04-30
HARRISON HOLDS The FORT,
The Indiana Nominations Dictated BY
the Ex-President.
A LIVELY CAMPAIGN EXPECTED
Many Features Of the Situation Make it Pos
sible for the Democrats to Again Garry
the Hoosier State Unless Harmony Among
the Republicans is Restored.


Republicans are concerned the opening gun
has been fired in what promises to be the
hottest political campaign ever fought in this
state. The Republicans encouraged by the
dissatisfaction with the Democratic party
that has been so manifest, have felt for sew
eral weeks that their time had come again,
and have been very enthusiastic. They have
also felt that this fight would be a forerunner
of that to be made throughout the nation two
years hence, and that added to the enthusi-
asm. Success in 1894 they regard as meaning
success and Harrison again in 1896. The
convention that assembled on Wednesday
morning did not adjourn until after mid
night, and to the casual observer the en-
thusiasm at the close showed that the ticket
selected and the platform declared met with
unanimous approval, but now the sore spots
begin to show themselves and the cooler
heads are admitting that all is not so lovely
as they had hoped.
The speech of ex president Harrison was
all that could have been desired, and was in
his peculiar vein. furnishing another de-
monstration that as a political orator he Is
without peer, never making a mistake or
uttering word that should have been left
unsaid. and making his meaning clear in
language the choicest OF that speech no
fault is found to-day by his party. The trouble
comes with the ticket and platform. 1t is
universally admitted that out of the material
offered the convention could have selected
ticket that would have been sure of success,
but now many admit If they carry the day it
Will be on account Of the dissatisfaction with.
the Democratic party and not through the
strength OF the ticket
The party In Indiana has for wears been
under the domination of an old set Of office
holders, and a determined effort was made to
name ticket Of youngsters. For every office
that was to be filed host OF young candi-
dates offered themselves, and with the excep-
tion of one they all went down. The candi-
date for Secretary of State is Hon. W. d.
Owen, who for four terms represented the
Tenth district in Congress. In 1890 he fell
by the way, and was taken by President Har-
rison and made Commissioner of Immigra-
ton. In that place he made such a utter
failure the President was strongly in
clined several times to remove him. His
selection will damage the ticket His princi-
pal opponent was Marcus B. Sulzer. The
great majority OF the Hebrews in Indiana have
been ardent Republicans. always supporting
the ticket enthusiastically and contributing
literally. They have never had a representa-
tive on the state ticket. Mr.. Sulzer was their
choice at this time. He is one OF the best
campaign speakers in the state and is at the
head Of the Lincoln League organization 1t
was through the work of the league that Mr..
Harrison carried the state in 1888, and, owing
to the efforts OF Mr.. Sulzer, it is to-day one OF
the most powerful political organization in the
country. The Hebrews feel very sore over
the defeat of their candidate
Among the candidates for State Auditor was
George Wilson, who headed the Gresham fac
ton OF the state in 1888, and has been ae-
cused of being hostile to Mr.. Harrison ever
since. but his friends declare he Loyalty sup
ported the ticket both in 1888 and In 1892. He
was overwhelmingly defeated. Mr.. Sulzer
had been an enthusiastic Harrison man in his
first race. bnt his ardor had materially cooled
before the Minneapolis convention. and that
was laid up against him by the Harrison men
aud was the potent factor in securing his de-
feat. There were several candidates who had
never been warm advocates of Mr.. Harrison,
but not one OF them stood a show. Harrison
ruled the convention in every particular. The
defeat of Wilson was so apparently due to his
opposition to the ex-President that il has
aroused that element of the party. There
was fierce wrangle over the nomination for
Attorney General. and. as with the other NOM
nations. the best man was left out.
The platform was a sore disappointment to
several elements and is likely to cause trouble
For several years past the Republicans have
had large Catholic vote. and that vote has
been OF late rapidly increasing. They asked
that the convention declare the country is
broad enough to shelter men of every religious
creed. They did not ask for any attack upon
the A. P. A.directly but asked for slight recog-
milton of their right to worship as they chose.
This was denied them and they are very sore.
Municipal elections are to be held all over the
state this week. and the Republicans are ex-
pecting great help from the A. P A.; hence
the disregard of the wishes of the Catholics.
The A. P. A. expected distinct recognition.
but they in turn were also disappointed, as
the whole question was ignored.
The party is made up very largely of tenn
perance people who have always been clamor-
Gus for a red-hot plank denouncing the
whisky traffic if not specific declaration in
favor of prohibition, but they, too, were
ignored, and are now breathing vengeance.
The main thing in favor OF the ticket is that
the campaign will be long one and there
will be plenty of time to heal up all sores
and smooth down all rough places.
1t is generally understood here that Mr.
Harrison is again working for the nomina-
ton. The party managers are making ar
rangements for grand Fall opening of the
campaign; when the ex-President will be the
orator of the day and sound the keynote for
the party