The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-01-12
Caucuses Held by Fairbanks Men and
the Field and Organization of the
Joint Caucus Determined Upon.
LIGHT LEGISLATIVE DAY
FEEBLE EFFORT MADE TO OVER
THROW THE RULES OF THE HOUSE.
when the Committees VIII BE An
nounced-Senate Amends the Legis-
Iative Appropriation Bill.

Yesterday was practically the last day Of
the senatorial struggle, and il witnessed a
final squirt by both the Fairbanks and the
Mckeen followings. The followers of Gen
eTal Lew. Wallace and Judge X. s. Taylor
did not make very strenuous efforts. The
position OF each of these candidates had
been rather of a receptive nature, each
holding himself i'm a position to get the ben
eft If the members Of the Legislature
should decide to elect neither of the men
who have been in the canvass for so many
months. There was practically a continu-
Gus caucus of the friends of Fairbanks,
and another of Mckeen all afternoon ana
evening. The friends or Doth candidates
among the Republican politicians through
out the State had flocked 10 the city to put
in a last word with the members represent
ing their particular counties in behalf OF
their f~avorite, and it was no uncommon
thing TO hear one politician. whose word is
usually good, declaring that the people of
his county were practically unanimous in
favor of Fairbanks, while another pOliti-
clan of equal veracity from the same coun-
~ was declaring that 10 was practically
unanimous for McKeen. Under such cir
cumstances it does not seem strange that
a few members of the Legislature have
hesitated about telling how they intend to
vote. Doubtless a number of them would
like 10 see a secret ballot without any pos
sibility OF anybody ever nnding out just
how they did vote.
There was some surprise expressed
among the friends of Mr.. Fairbanks over
the fact that all the candidates remained
IN the race. They had expected that one
or two of them would withdraw before the
time came for the caucus. but it now seems
certain that all four of the names that
have been considered will be presented to
the caucus and that none of them will be
without votes. Various friends of Mr. Fair
banks claimed for him all the way from
"a to 6S votes, while various friends of Mr..
McKeen conceded that Mr.. Fairbanks
would have from 26 to IS votes. While each
side brought as many or their friends
among the members as sney could into
their caucus each also claimed that many
of their strongest supporters were not pres
ent, and thus there was no effort to make
of the caucusses a Showdown of
strength. Among those who turned up to
participate in the final struggle was r. IT.
Mcdonald, of Fort Wayne, but he did not
have any more wonderful plans concealed
about his person.
AT the caucus of the friends of MI. Fair
banks yesterday afternoon there were pres
ent forty-nine members and eleven ac-
counted for. among the latter two from this
county: The purpose of the meeting was to
determine upon the details of the Joint eau
Gus this evening. Senator L.. II. Newly was
chosen as their candidate for chairman of
the joint caucus and representative Hen
derson for secretary. The question of
whether the ballot for senator should be
an open or a secret one was discussed to
some extent, but no action was taken, IL be-
ing the general opinion that it was imma-
terial and should be left To the caucus it
self to determine. There was no loss of
confidence uDon the part of the friends of
MIR. Fairbanks. and they regarded the thing
as thoroughly settled. just as they have for
the last month or two.
On the other hand. the friends of MIR. Nc
Keen seemed equally confident of encom-
passing the defeat of Mr.. Fairbanks. THE
field has forty-eight votes said Mr.. Fill
beck, and there are some more that are
doubtful. Fairbanks has never had more
than thirty-four sure votes and has no more
than that now
w note 10 change said Senator Early.
who has charge of Mr. McKeen's interests.
Mr.. Fairbanks has but thirty-eight votes
and cannot get any more. So far as we know
there is no new on the part of
any of the members and the situation
stands just there, where it did II week
ago
Senator Early stated that the McKeen
forces had not discussed the matter of or
ganiZing the caucus. That is immaterial."
said he, land they can have the chairman
il they want him. We are combining our
attention TO the main point"
Among the prominent citizens of Terre
Haute who are here i'm the interest of Mr..
McKeel are Colonel r. w. Thompson and
Russell Il. Harrison. Among the prominent
Republicans from out of town here in the
interest of Mr.. Fairbanks are w. Il. Dur
bin. of Anderson, Indiana member of the
national committee, and Perry $. Heath.
who had charge of the literary department
of the national committee.