The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-16
CONVENTIONS IN JULY.
Chnirmen of Both Parties Favor Hold
ing Them that Month.

The city conventions are being discussed
by the local politicians and plans are being
laid for the summer campaign. The senti-
ment among the leaders of both parties
seems to be in favor of a campaign of not
more than three months Longer time than
that spent in active work for the party
nominees would be labor thrown away,
seems to be the almost unanimous opinion.
Two years ago the Republican convention
was held July % and the Democratic con-
vention preceded it by about two weeks.
Everything now points 10 about the same
dates for the conventions this year. The
election viii take place Oct. g. which would
throw the sixty-day poll on Aug 9. 1t is
always considered good policy to have the
conventions prior to this poll, for the rea-
son that after the nominations are made
there is activity among the workers
and a better and more accurate poll of the
precincts can be obtained.
Harry B. Smith, the present chairman of
the Republican city committee, favors hold
ing. the convention not earlier than july. 20
and not later than Aug. 3. He thinks that
would give ample time for the organization
Of the party and at the same time would not
draw the campaign out so long that inter-
est would lag before the election. He will
not be a candidate for reelection chair
man of the committee. The call for meet
ing of the old committee for the purpose
OF calling an election to select committee
men to serve for the rext two years win
probably be issued early in June. Mr..
Trusler favors the middle of July as the
time for the convention, although he would
not object to its being he'd as late as Aug.
/, while Lee Nixon thinks 1t should not be
held until the middle of August He thinks
forty or forty-five days is long enough for
aOn the Democratic side there is little diff
ference of opinion. WIN one exception the
men approached agreed with Tom Taggart,
who said Il am out of politics and don't
care when the convention Is to be held; in
fact, have not given Ii Q thought. When
the middle Of July, he said That time would
suit him: but when asked IL the latter part
of August would meet with his approval,
he replied that it made no difference. John
Hoffman was the exception to the rule.
He was strongly in favor of striking
medium in selecting the date; not too early
or not too late. About the middle of July,
he thought, would be the most acceptable
time.
Behind all this, however. there are other
matters which will enter largely into the
selection of date for the Democratic con-.
candidates for the Office Of Mayor who are
backed by opposing brewery and saloon
interests, and the Democratic leaders are
anxious to keep the fight from growing
too warm, in which case they realize that
a hopeless split would result. To head this
to get the opposing factions condidates to
withdraw and allow Sterling r. Holt to be
nominated as a compromise; or, falling in
this, there may be an effort made to rally
the Holt forces and hold an early conven-
ton. BY this course, the leaders would
hope to capture the nomination for Holt
before the brewers fight settled down on
definite lines. These circumstances may lead
to the calling of a convention as early as
May or the first week in June.
J. C. Adams has announced that he would
not accept the nomination for Mayor under
any circumstances. His business connec-
tions, he says, makes this Imperative. He
sells large quantities of brick to city con-
tractors, and, under the present law. il he
were Mayor, he could not furnish any ma
teria1 for the use of the city. He says he
cannot afford to sacrifice his business in
terests to become Mayor. The name of Po-
lice Judge Stubs has been mentioned for
the head of the ticket. He has not an
nounced himself candidate but sew
eral of his friends. are. in quiet way,
sounding the situation to see If they think
best to advise him TO enter the race.
Charles A Bookwalter is being urged by a
certain set of young Republicans, among
whom he has large following, who would
support him in a most enthusiastic man.
ner if he should receive the nomination
For clerk. il seems that Lee Nixon will
have little opposition for renomina-
ton. He is an active candidate and no other
names have been mentioned yet for the
place. On the other side Bud Swift may be-
come a candidate. Ex-Sheriff Emmett will
also seek the nomination.