The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-11-11
INDIANA'S CANDIDATE
HON. f. r. ROOTS SAYS 1T WILL BE
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
A Well-Known Hoosier Defines His
understanding Of the Attitude OF
the Ex-Presidents Friends.

NEW YORK, Nov. 10.-In a communica-
tion to the Herald, F. T. Roots, a prom
inent Indiana politician, a friend Of Benja-
min Harrison, and delegate to the two
national conventions which nominated him,
defines his understanding of the attitude of
the ex-President's friends with regard to a
denomination in 1896. Mr.. Roots's letter
says:
when away from my home in Indiana,
am confronted with the question. is Mr..
Harrison a candidate, and what steps are
being taken to help his candidacy? In
answer will say do not believe Mr.. Har-
rison has confided that great secret to any
What significance attaches to the meeting
OF Mr.. Michener and other politicians re-
Gently at indianapolis, and the active work
and other sections OF the country / un-
hesitatingly venture to assert that there
is concerted movement on the part of Mr..
Harrison's friends to crystalline public sem
tinient in his favor and so concentrate that
sentiment in the various States that when
the first ballot shall De taken at the con-
vention Of 1886 Benjamin Harrison will have
q very formidable showing Instead of
having only one little State (VermonD solid
for him, and instead of having his own
State divided on the first ballot, he will
have several States, and Indiana will be as
she is now, for him to a man. And why
should Mr.. Harrison not. be. nominated?
What we do want, and what is imperative.
is business mans administration, manned
and piloted by one who has been tried,
tested and mot found wanting"
Mr.. Roots quotes from a letter received
by him previous to the Minneapolis con-
vention from one OF the present members
Of the Republican national committee, who
Is, he says. one of Mr.. Harrison's most Bit
ter political enemies. The quotation fol-
lows:
at want the man nominated who has the
best chance OF success at the polls, and
believe Harrison Is the man. The present
delegation from Indiana may well feel
proud IL they can sustain the reputation
made by their predecessors at the conven-
tion of 1888 for earnestness and zeal in the
support OF our distinguished fellow-citizen.
My advocacy Of Harrisons nomination is
wholly due to my desire for party success,
and because / believe he can best meet the
requirement Of the hour. I shall be glad TO
assist in whatever work our delegation may
deem necessary. and shall report for duty
on arrival
Mr.. Roots publishes also letter written
thinks, will tend to disprove any impression
that the ex-President is a cold man in his
personal attitude towards members of his
party. The letter, which is dated "Execu-
tive Mansion. Washington. Jan. 4. 1892 fol-
lows:
grief and chief burden OF this place that
have only had choice as 10 which man /
would disappoint. 1t being decreed before
hand In every case that l must disappoint
friends, can hardly tell how much griev-
Gus trouble have had over the thought
that my friends felt aggrieved. i have tried
to be fair and kind; and one of the few
things l am sure OF. connected with the
administration, is that I have never will
ingly hurt any worthy friend. 1 have not
heard any serious complaint by any Repub-
lican friends of any public act of the ad-
ministration: and IL IS a comfort to know
that nothing has been found assailable
there and that most of those who have
been disappointed I'm getting Offices have
acted with great generosity and friendli-
ness With kind regards, very sincerely
yours. BENZ. HARRISON"