The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-25
SENATOR CHANDELIERS BAD BREAK.

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Considering Senator Chambers record
as a stalwart Republican, he shows sim
gular persistence in his attack on he
alleged campaign methods Of the Nc
Kinley people. His charges are more by
innuendo than by direct assertion, but
they are intended to imply, and do i'm
ply, that the managers of the Mckinley
campaign are resorting to improper and
corrupt means of securing his nominal
ton. Assuming this to be true. he says:
II Mckinley Is nominated we shall have
to meet the charge that we fried the fat
out Of the manufacturers In the last cam
paign; that we fried the fat out of them
again to secure his nomination.; hat he Is
continuing to fry the fat to buy his cleo
ton, and as a result. he will pay his po-
litical debts with a high-tariff bill framed
solely in the interests Of the manufacture
ers. With such charges as these to meet
on the stump, the campaign on the part
of the Republicans will be defensive in
stead OF offensive.
Whatever Mr.. McKinley's friends may
have done. and the Journal does not be-
lieve they have exceeded the usual limits
Of political effort, they have not given
currency to charges against other a n
didates which can be used as effectively
against the Republican party as against
individuals. Senator Chandler has al
ways been recognized as a stalwart Re-
publican and has taken pride In the
appellation. yet in his matter he be-
comes the willing mouthpiece of charges
against an honored leader of the party
which can be used quite as effectively
after his nomination, If he is nominated,
as they a be to prevent it. 1t will
be a new role for Senator Chandler to
act as ammunition-bearer, or powder
monkey" as sailors say, for Democratic
gunners. yet that is precisely the posi-
ton he will find himself in If Mr.. Nc
Kinley is nominated at ST. Louis.
If Senator Chandler had stated posi-
lively that he knew for a fact that the
manufacturers to raise money to secur
his nomination the Journal would not
have doubted his word, but when he
makes the statement in the form of an
innuendo and unsustained by any proof,
1t Is fairly open to question, IL not
wholly incredible. The managers Of Mr..
McKinley's campaign are no more
Ol liz tAAooC "a CtAAC
candidates, and, considering his evident
| strength with the people. there was no
necessity of their resorting to unusual
or improper methods of pushing his
cause along. Moreover, American manu-
facturers have sense enough to know
that the election Of any Republican
President, with a Republican Congress.
will mean the restoration of protection
and reciprocity, and that. after all. CON-
gress will control the situation. So far
as Indiana Is concerned. the Journal
feels very sure that no improper means
or methods have been used to promote
Mr.. McKinley's interests. The strength
he has developed in this State has been
a natural and legitimate outgrowth of
his popularity, and we see no reason TO
doubt why it is not the same in other
States.
Senator Chandler has made a mistake.
His preference for one candidate should
not have led him to make i~nsinuations
against another which seem to have no
foundation outside Of his own magma
ton and which are dishonoring to the
party of which both are trusted leaders.
That kind Of work should be left for
| Democrats.