The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-03

ONE LITTLE OFFICE.
But the Democratic Candidates Arc
Having a Lively Scramble for Ii.


A humorous feature of the House organi-
cation which has hitherto escaped notice Is
the violent contest going on over the one
lone important Office within the gift of the
three little offices at the bestowal of the
Democrats of the House, but only one of
SUFFICIENT consequence to incite compet.-
ton. This is the position of whip" des-
ignation accorded the assistant sergeant
alarms, whose duty IL is to stand guard
at Democratic caucuses and serve in con-
fdential capacity for the minority. There
are four candidates for this position, three
Of whom are decidedly unique characters
and the fourth. H. H, Mohler. of Illinois. is
These three picturesque competitors are
Ike" Hill. Of Ohio: Felix McCloskey. of
everywhere, and Tom Coakley presume
Coakey are said to be the three greatest
romancers ever collected in the national
assembly. McCloskey, TO hear him tell 1t.
has been on intimate terms With every
public man who has been on the carpet in
the last seventy-five years, and has par
ticipated personally and actively in every
where within the geographical confines OF
the United States. He was in at the birth
OF California, took part in the vigilant
Charleston convention that tried to nomi-
nate Jeff Davis for President, saw the Brod-
erick-Terry duel in California. witnessed
Florida and Louisiana during the return
ing-board incidents in 1876 helped carry the
wounded body of President Garfield out of
the pennsylvania depot In 1881, has been at
the deathbed OF score more of distin-
guished statesmen and financiers, is almost
a professional witness of renown in great
will cases. led heroic part in the Johns
town food. helped chain Niagara and has
generally been able to hold some sort of
job in and aroun1 washington between
times. Felix Is parchment-faced old man.
red as TO hair. aggressive in features, spare
of frame, with the nerve and activity of
Scotch terrier. and with bark almost as
Ike Hill has for many years been one
of the wel-known characters of Washing
ton. He has an inexhaustible fund of anec-.
about the private habits and haunts of
congressman than any man living. He never
lets fact destroy the symmetry or beauty
truth to impair the decorations of recital.
He is as full of wit as an egg is of meat.
hut never malicious in his talk. In competi-
story telling Tom Coakley would be a
great favorite in pools. but in the present
race. he cheerfully confesses that he is
outclassed. Tom feels that he has fair
show of winning. and for day or two was
in high feather over pledges that he had
received of the solid vote of the Indiana.
supplemented by a. promise of ''all but one
CT the Democrats from Illinois. When he
picked up directory 10 ascertain the
was chagrined TO learn that the five States
mentioned only had one Democrat in the
House. Then he went out looking Tor the
fellows who had been ''stringing" him.
Compared with the trio named Mr.. Mohler.
of Illinois, is very commonplace individ-
ual. He nevertheless feels that he Is going
10 get the job he is after, but the chances
are that Ike Hill Will secure the prize
The contest is exciting as much interest
among the Democratic Representatives. as
the fight over the entire House organiza-
ton is among the Republicans, and we'll Il
may. for IL is all that the great Democratic
party has left 10 fight over. One lone SLIGO
a year job TO show for the magnificent
landslide of three years ago.