The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-16
JUDGE HACKNEY'S REPLY
VOTED FOR BRYAN, BUT DOES NOT
BELIEVE IN FREE SILVER.
Does Not Propose TO Let SpitefuI
Judge Hord Read Him Out of
the Party.

Judge Leonard ]. Hackney, Of the SUI
preme Bench, is in a state of much bitter
ness of spirit Up to yesterday morning
he apparently had cinch on a nomination
by the Democratic convention. but ex-Judge
k. NJ Hord. of Shelbyville, a member of
the Democratic state committee, broke into
the columns of the press yesterday with a
signed communication which duly read
Judge Hackney out OF the Demo-
cratic party. The letter appeared
in the Journal and proved of
such absorbing interest that little
else was talked of in political circles. What
added spice to Judge Hord's fulminade was
that it included a letter signed by Scott
Ray, the editorial sage of Shelby county,
before he died, in which he scored Mr.
Hackney as having allied his fortunes with
wv. d. Bynum, John r. Wilson & Co. and
also with having voted against William J.
Bryan for President This letter from the
grave goes on to say that Mr.. Hackney had
denounced the Democratic platform in
language too bitter for a self-respecting Re
publican, that This ingratitude and disre-
gard of every personal and political obliga-
ton is only equaled by his colossal cheek
in asking further favors of the party" and
that he should be left to stay outside of
the Democratic household, where he has
voluntarily placed himself while eating
bread at the hands of the party. Judge
Iord makes the further charge that Mr..
Hackney is seeking to obtain a delegation
from his county to the state convention to
his own liking through a piece of political
chicanery.
JUDGE HORD'S SPITE WORK
When Judge Hackney first read the Jour-l
nal article he was very indignant and had
not recovered from his wrath when q re-
porter asked him for a statement in the
afternoon. He said that he did not desire
TO say much at this time, but he said
enough to clearly demonstrate his unwIl-
ingness to be read out of the party 1T is
all the result of the feeling of enmity
nat has existed between Judge Hord and
myself for a long time and there is nothing
in it except spite work" The judge then
proceeded to read himself back into the
party. Il did not vote for Mr.. Mckinley,
he said. Il voted the Democratic ticket.
The whole article by Mr.. Hord, boiled down,
IS founded on the premise that / voted for
the present occupant OF the White House.
If the premise is wrong the conclusion is
wrong and say now that the premise is
utterly false"
| never believed in the free coinage of sill
yer either before or after the last presi-
Dental election. / do not believe in it now.
But the protective tariff doctrine of Mr..
Mckinley was as obnoxious to me as the
free silver idea, and after taking into con-
sideration the fact that had been elected
to my present position by the Democratic
party, determined upon voting my party
ticket and did So
Not long ago Judge Hackney stood up
in a meeting of Democrats and in pre-
pared speech expressed himself being in
favor Of inviting back into the fold all of
the gold element that had strayed away
and that they should be made to feel at
home and not be subjected to too strong an
odor of burnt beefsteak. But it appears
that he is himself to be the first victim
of the frying pan. At all events the fight
that has been started against him is a
strong and bitter one and it may develop
into q casus belli between the two FAC
lions of the Democratic party. Strenuous
efforts have been made to open the door
for the return of the. gold Democrats, but
if Judge Hackney is denied a denomination
they cannot retain their self-respect and at
the same time return to the fold. 1t be-
gins to look like all the sound and con-
sentative men of the old party will be forced
to definitely sever their former affiliations
and make all the more permanent and ag-
gresSive the National Democratic Organiza-
ton.