The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-02
A POPULAR CHARACTER.
Picturesque Buckner Warmly Greet
e~d-Nertucfxy and WattersOn.

Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner stood a few
feet from the doors of the dining room of
the Denison at s O'Clock last night. His
tall, commanding figure is slightly stopped
with age and his fine, silky white hair falls
profusely over his neck. His smile is per-
petual. AT 8 o'clock he was trying to make
his way across the intervening few feet to
supper. He had just left a pretty Ken
lucky woman and her husband when a re-
porter sought a few words with him. The
old gentleman was the center of all chances
in that vicinity and the people noted the
old-style deferential manners of the Ken
tuckian as he talked to the lady.
General, may 1 have a few minutes chat
with you about convention affairs?" the
General was asked.
why. certainly replied General Buck
ner. Il shall be glad to-why. my old
friend, how are you?' and a hand was shot
into the KentUckian's. 1t was a man from
Georgia greeting the General. Then others
crowded in and the Kentuckian was busy
for four minutes exchanging greetings.
Now, what was it you would like to
know" turning to the reporter. oh, yes,
you wanted me-ah, L am glad to see you,
sir" and this time it was a delegate from
the East. A dozen hands passed in sue
cession into the broad RAIN of the distin-
guished man. 1t was after acknowledging
the compliments of a dozen or so men that
the General had an opportunity to turn his
head about to the interviewer, but it was
useless for him to attempt to talk about
the convention Their. Too many people
wanted to have a passing handshake. 1t
was fully thirty minutes before he could
make his way to the dining room, and he
was dreadfully hungry, as he admitted at
tho +ipoa Ocoa SinnalJy soma KaDfJJokion
would reach over and whisper in his ear.
II am in the hands of my friends was his
reply in nearly every case.
General Buckner told several of the Ken
lucky delegates that if they want to sup
port Mr.. Watterson for the presidency or
if they think it would be best for Ken
lucky to take the first instead of the sec
ond honor he would step aside 1t is re-
called that soon after the Watterson inter-
view appeared in New York General Buck
ner declared that Mr.. Watterson ought to
be nominated by the sound-money Demo-
Gratis for the presidency. This was after
the Kentucky convention had Endorsed Gen.
uckne The delegates, however, are not
disposed to drop General Buckner. One of
them was asked last night how the State
would vote on the first ballot, when the
name of Mr.. Watterson was sure to be
before the convention.
II am sure l do not know what the State
will do" said he. 1T is very embarrassing
for us. Our delegation will determine this
morning now to act. 1t is quite probable
that the vote of the State Will be split up
despite the fact that Mr.. Watterson's
name is before the convention
a West Virginian stated last night that
Watterson would not get a vote in the
convention from that State. These West
Virginia delegates were anxious to revive
the first boom for Villas.
Editor Knott. of the Louisville Post. said
last night that Kentucky was thoroughly
LOYAL 10 Buckner. 4 think the party pre-
fers Buckner for second place TO Waiter
son for first place on the grounds. at least.
that 1t would be better to have a Ken
tuckian who has evoked no antagonism.
You know very Well a MAJ cannot be in
larry in an editorial capacity. without max
ing enemies. We have too much at stake
in Kentucky this election and must put
forward the man that will draw the most
SIlOpOrt