The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-08-08
OF H RING
HOW T MAN SPAN SUBDUED THE
ANTS BY INSULTING THEM.
1t Was All n Part of the General Plan
Defeated Candidates with
Sharp Knives.

before the Democratic county convention
have been gathering in little knots on the
corners near the courthouse during the last
few days, sending up their walls and telling
each other how the ring downed them. Bud
Swift and Sheriff Emmett and another one
of the defeated were on the courthouse
steps yesterday afternoon discussing their
troubles. Emmett is feeling very disgust
ed over the way the ring, which was OPP
posed TO his nomination, split up the Ro-
man Catholic delegates SO as 10 defeat En-
NETT. The developing of Colbert as a cam
didate so as TO tax this element of
strength from Emmett was a shrewd
scheme Matched by the ring when II saw
that Emmett was determined upon seeking
a denomination as an Endorsement of his
administration.
There is also a great deal of Indignation
against Chairman Span, whom the court
house ring had installed as chairman in
preference TO Greene Smith. 1t was found
by sounding a number Of workers that
Smith might be defeated for chairman, on
account of the workers contempt for a
man who grabs thousands of dollars in fees
and spends none of this amount on his
party. Smith had up to that time been the
choice of the ring.
Then it was determined to put in Henry
Span, who stood for the ring, pure and
simple, even back TO the time of the tally
sheet forgerieS and the lucrative admins
tration of John E. Sullivan. The ring knew
that there was no timber backbone there,
although it did finally become necessary at
one time for Tom Taggart to coach the
rings man in the chair. A number OF
prominent Democrats had insisted that
Span had voted against Sullivan the last
election, and they did not want him to have
charge of the convention on that account.
They also accused him Of at one time be-
ing a full-fiedged Republican. then a Green
hacker, then a member Of Plan Buchan-
ans party, and finally a ring Democrat.
Some were even mean enough to intimate
that he was an Anarchist of a demagoglc
variety. All of this was insufficient to cause
the ring to drop Spaan. The ring was not
taking chances on a man that might let an
opponent TO the ringSterS get on the ticket.
Attorney w. w. Spencer is not feeling
satisfied over the way he was treated. he
thinks that after all the work he has done
for the courthouse gang in the years past
he should have received better treatment.
He has his own opinion Of Span, who held
him up to contempt by charging. him from
the platform with plugging" for a Su-
perior Court judgeship on the floor of the
convention. Judge Cox, the ring candidate
for one of these places, was not disturbed,
although he was one of the conspicuous
men in the hall, and chased up and down
the Hobbies like a man whose all depended
on the nomination. There is another DEM
ocratic lawyer who has a knife for Span.
Span aloud referred TO him practically as
a shyster, and the only provocation was the
movement of this lawyer across the floor
of the convention. Insult was heaped upon
the opponents of the ring to embarrass
them and TO keep them from doing effec-
tive work in defeating the ring in the con-
vention. The ring had to have Hunter Nc
Caslin nominated for treasurer. Taggart in
sisted on this, as there are many deputies
in Taggarts office who want 10 have two
chances on getting positions, hoping vainly
that possibly one of the nominees might
creep in in November. should the other be
defeated.
Il suppose" said one politician yesterday,
lit was cheaper TO the county committee to
put Lon Mcclellan on the ticket than to
have him off it. OF course, he will not put
up a cent. and l suppose he will vote for
himself all right, but, as l say. / think it
will be cheaper to have him on the ticket.
And I'll tell you" this politician con-
tinued further. Il think we can get a lit
tie roll from the saloon keepers this year on
the strength of Reinhard's nomination. Cox
has, of course, been their standby on the
bench, for it is all over with them if a man
gets on the bench who is in favor of en-
forcing the laws pertaining to the liquor
traffic. The boys are satisfied with Rein
hard. 1t is a disgrace that Cox, who did
SO much to allow the rowdy element to
come to the front in indianapolis, should
be put on the ticket again. Look at that
pool room case which has been hanging fire
before Cox all summer. 1t would never do
to hurry up that case, because Bill Iron
and his pool room are roping in the boys
and young men at his gambling house all
summer. No doubt Cox will let the case
run along till cold weather stops racing, or
rather stops interest in the sport, and then
Iron will not lose so much In the event the
room Is closed. Cox has never punished a
saloon keeper more than imposing a light
fine, and most OF the cases that are APP
pealed are hung up in his court, even those
of the most fragrant violators of the laws.
1t would not be necessary for the Mayor to
revoke licenses if there was a judge on the
bench who would see that the laws are en-
forced. and not protect the la wbreakers"