The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-24
AS TO INSTRUCTIONS.
A Life-Long Republfcan Takes Sxcep-
tfons Co Autocrattc Methods


tfons 40 Autocratic Methods
To the Editor Of the Indianapolis Journal; =
I have read Chairman Gowdy's inter1e'V
about instructing the delegates at large The
last sentence / have read several times IL
so strange a declaration that / quote II: -
will insist that Endorsements and inst>
tons shall be passed favoring Mckinisye
nomination" Insist Is a strong word. y
Is never used except by those who have. -
think they have. power and right IL d tho
word OF a ruler, an autocrat. and In phtlcp
Of a boss-the one-man power.
Mr.. Gowdy Is chairman OF the State CEN
trail committee. 1 was for him. I have been
a Gowdy man. But. really. bis an ounce
ment to the Republicans that he VIII in
sist." with the Inference that all others must
yield, Is not pleasing. Now. l an an old
time Republican. managed to vese for Linz
coin in 1860. L was in the Union army az
the outset with those who went in April
1861. l saw the last fighting at MAJ hville. I
carried a muske'. When ] came back I be-
gan voting the Republican ticl,e. as did
John Gowdy. ] have kept on voting Il, bug
i haven't had an office, although 1 have put
i'm many a days work Ior the cause. am il
the RANKS noN. For my service In the past
why have l not as good a right 20 ma
Andt lHC oAalC <La4X AQ WUaA
wish as Mr.. Gowcyy That is the question:.
Ii Is a fair one. Does he sinsisr" upon in~
structicns because ne is chairman OF the
State committeey He might insist" that the
convention approve the wilson tariff law IE
fact, when a man. by virtue Of a position 10
which he has been elected. begins to i'm
time he may insist" that such a man b
nominated tor Governor. and II MS power to
insist is recognized in regard 10 what a con-
that two years hence there shall be no con-
vention. There can be no logical reason for
a convention II the delegates when here ara
mit,ee. 49,. -
/ have looked over the rules recently
adopted by the State COMMITTEES. l cannot
whole committee claims the power 10 insist
that a State convention shall DO this or that
rogative. If the Committee revising the rules
had intended that the chairman shall dc
tate the action OF conventions. IL would have
adopted a rule running thusly; The stats
questions coming before II unless the chair
man OF the State committee shall have given
ton shall be on any subject. In which case
the convention shall have no power 10 act"
A rule to that effect would attract wide
test. yet the declaration OF Mr.. Gowdy
which has been quoted Is an assumption that
the convention must surrender the right TO
contrary.
/ am not expressing an opinion on the
policy Of instrncting the delesates at large TO
support McKinley's candidacy AS a Repub-
lican who. fer his faith Ia Republican policy
and craftsmanship. has sustained the cause
in Indiana as long as Mr.; Gowdy. ! protest
that he has no mere right than ] have 10
insist upon what a state convention shall
do. / insist that his duty with the conven-
t tenn chairman and done what he can
OLD WAYNE.
MIR. ClaypooI Favors Instructions
To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journais
II is conceded that a large majority Of the
Republicans of Indiana desire the nomira-
ton Of Governor Mckinley for President
and are anxious that everything should %
done that can be done 20 accomplish that
result. The Mckinley sentiment in Indiana
is as strong as IL he lived in the State, ana
his supporters desire to give full expression
to that sentiment in the only legitimate way
that IL can be proclaimed-by resolutions Ia
dorsing and instructing for Mckinley at the
State conventions. II the claims of McKin-
ley's friends in Indiana are well founded. IL
is but just that the convention should prop
eriy reflect that sentiment in unmistakable
terms, and not only assure him OF the dele
gate vote of Indiana, but add to his candi-
dacy the weight and influence OF one OF the
greatest States in the Union II the ma
jority of the Republicans In Indiana are
Mckinley for President. they should in eve
cry possible way that is honorable use their
influence to accomplish his nomination. ana
IN no way can they do so more effectively
than by securing instructions from the State
convention TO the four delegates at large to
vote for Mckinley as long as there Is q
ing accomplished. Nobody wants the con-
vention TO instruct the delegates TO vote
for Mckinley after all reasonable probability
Of his nomination has gone by. IN such =
thing should occur; therefore, why this aw-
full dread Of Instructions by these Republic
Of aff th wn par EVEN n 1 the ststes This awful dread
of instruction Is sufficient 10 create a sus-
picion little short of a disbelief in the minds
from a we;l-defned fear that Instructions
would head on the plans now being matured
by a small per cent. of Republicans in In
diana who are opposed 10 the nomination OF
Mckinley. There are several States where
sentiment has not crystallized around any
particular candidate. and. Of. course. In such
egates TO the convention. On the 18th Of
March the district conventions 10 select del
egates to the national convention were held.
Six Of these conventions Endorsed and in
structed for Mckinley, and two others in
dorsed him. In the other hve districts dele
gates understood to be favorable to his nom
him were chosen. Furthermore, almost
without exception, every Republican county
the State since the 18th Of March has in
dorsed Mckinley. Taking these facts to-
gether. and they are facts. II leave no room
for doubling the fact that a very large pro-
to see William Mckinley nominated for
President and will most heartily approve
y The eh Fact cta thai tto certain renfiemen Who bor w nsm;
to go TO St. Louis as delegates at large
would consider u an Impeachment Of their
honor to be the bearers OF Instructions. ~
any such there be. cuts no figure whatever
In the controversy. III they do not consider
II an honorable Office TO carry with them to
the convention the recorded viii OF the great
mass of Indiana Republicans. they can be
very safely left at home.
y. H CLAYPOOL.
Indianapolis. April %.