The Indianapolis journal., 1896-07-03
THAT INCIDENT AT CANTON.
4 Friend Of Dir. Fairbanks Explains
the circumstances.

The announcement from Marion in the
Journal of yesterday to the effect that
Hon. Hiram Brownlee had become a can
didate for United States Senator created
considerable talk in political circles in this
city yesterday. Ii was stated in connec-
ton with the announcement, that Mr..
Brownlee had been offended by the fact
that when the committee of notification
from the national convention called on
Major Mckinley at Canton on Monday. Mr..
Fairbanks was asked 10 speak for Indiana
instead of Mr.. Brownlee who was the In
diana member OF the committee. 1t was
also stated that up to that time Mr.. Brown
lee had been friendly to the candidacy of
Mr. Fairbanks for the senatorship, but that
as result of Mondays action he had de-
termined TO become a candidate himself.
Concerning this matter a close personal
friend of Mr.. Fairbanks said yesterday:
IF these statements concerning Mr..
Brownlee's candidacy are true there is a
Misrepresentation of the facts somewhere.
happen to know just how Mr.. Fairbanks
went to Canton, not for the purpose of
making a speech or taking any part in the
proceedings, but for the reason that he
had never seen a ceremony Of this charac-
ter and as he was himself TO take lead
ing part in the notification of Mr.. Hobart
next week. he wished TO see how the thing
was done and familiarize himself with the
method of procedure. When the commit
tee assembled at the Mckinley residence
Senator Thurston, as the chairman of the
committee made his address of notifica-
uon, 10 which Mr.. Mckinley replied, and
the business OF the committee was at an
end no representative from any State be-
ing called upon for any remarks supple
mented to those of Chairman Thurston
After the committee had adjourned a dele
cation from Columbus appeared upon the
scene under the leadership of Representa-
"A of lfafr HI.
on the lawn Mr.. Watson, as spokesman
OF the party, got upon the porch and. de-
livered brief address to Mr.. Mckinley,
pieuSlnS the royalty ana devotion of those
Tor whom he spoke, and to this Mr.. Nc
kinley said that the visitors were fortu-
nate in the time of their coming for there
were present representatives from all the
States who had come as a committee TO
notify him officially Of his nomination and
he felt certain that they would be pleased
to hear from some of these. Immediately
there were calls for Chairman Thurston
and he arose TO speak. AT this stage Mr..
nialroanks, Ia believing that he would
remarks, and not wishing to say
anything on that occasion. left
hour, returning only when he believed the
speechmaking was certainly at an end
When he got back the speechmaking was
stili going on and Representative Watson
who was acting as chairman, called upon
him. He did not at first respond but sev-
eral OF his friends with whom ne had gone
MS accepting the invitation to speak and
ne went forward with reluctance He was
so long in coming forward. however, that
by the time he got on TO the porch. an
other was speaking and while this gentle
man was talking Mr.. Fairbanks asked Mr.
Watson II Mr. Brownlee had been called
on and was told that he had not been Nir
tolrbanks then asked Watson TO please
call upon Mr.. Brownlee before the meeting
odJourned. which Watson agreed TO do. but
10 tent on the lawn and the opportunity
did not offer. As matter OF fact before
any sthy sspeecheS were made the committee on
notification had adjourned and the talks
that followed were made to the visiting
delegation from Columbus. | am sure thar
Representatlye watson will attest the cor
rectness OF this statement / am absolute
~ certain that Mr.. Fairbanks was called
upon against his will and that there was
offense TO any one"