The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-03
ROCKFORD IS THE BOSS
HE WILL CONTROL THE DEMOCRAT
&c COUNTY CONVENTION.
Sahm Refuses to- Accept the Chair
manship-Frank Burke for Pros
ecuting Attorney.

The withdrawal of Albert Sahm from the
race for the Democratic nomination for
county treasurer as announced in the Jour-
nal yesterday, caused something like dis
may in the minds of many of the aspiring
heelers of the party, who were in hopes of
seeing him nominated, believing that he, If
any Democrat could would bring success to
the ticket. The more substantial members
of the party also regard his withdrawal as
distinct misfortune, as they are conscious
of the fact that it means the triumph of
the nondescript element in the convention.
Efforts were made to head off this element
at the time of the meeting of the state COM
mittee, in January, when a resolution was
passed requesting the calling of organiza-
ton primaries by March L, the idea osten-
sibly being to separate the election of pre-
cinct committeeman from the selection of
delegates to the nominating convention. By
virtue of this resolution, it was hoped TO
GUST Chairman Rockford, whose affiliations
are with the statesmen of the whilom sill
yer push, and put in his place man who
would use the power of the craftsmanship
in effecting the nomination of ticket COM
posed of business men. But Mr.. Rockford
refused to be decapitated. even though the
nomination of prosecuting attorney was
promised him If he complied with the reso-
luton of the state committee. He declared
to the kid-gloved element that he and no.
body else was going to call the nominating
convention and is now engaged in fixing the
ropes for convention that will fulfill the
expectations of the "boys." He is also see
ing that his canvass for the nomination for
prosecuting attorney is not neglected.
The respectable" element, in the mean
time has changed its tactics and is telling
Mr.. Rockford that if he keeps his hands off
the craftsmanship fight there will be no OPP
position to his nomination for prosecuting
attorney But whether this partial knuck-
ling down to his leadership will mollify the
present chairman and induce him to exer-
else his power in moderate degree remains
to be seen. However, the withdrawal of Mr..
Sahnn must be taken an indication of the
nomination of poor material on the ticket
and an acknowledgment by the best leaders
of the party that defeat stares them in the
face this fall.
The nominating convention will be called
about the middle of this month and the
various candidates are making an active
canvass. One of the interesting contests Is
that between John McNutt, librarian of the
Supreme Court, and ]. e. Mccullough, for
the nomination Tor superior court Judge III
Room 3. Mr.. Mccullough only recently an
nounced his candidacy, but Mr.. McNutt has
been quietly at work for some time The in
dications point to his nomination; Judge
Harper is also a candidate for the same
place. This is the position on the bench
now occupied by Judge Carter, whose term
does not expire until month preceding the
presidential election in 1900 Some efforts
have been made to obtain an agreement
between the two party organizations post
poning the election for this place until the
next campaign, as it could very Well be
DONE But the Democrats decline to enter
tain such proposition.
The withdrawal Of Mr.. Sahm has created
a desire to make him county chairman, but
he has thus far refused to entertain the
idea. He has been promised the mayoralty
nomination in 1899, if he takes the place,
but he says he would not accept the office
of mayor as gift.
It has been reported that Frank Burke,
formerly United States district attorney,
now living in this city, will be a candidate
for the Democratic nomination for prose-
cutting attorney.