The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-01
FEW KURTZ MEN In EVIDENCE
THEIR NOISE APPARENTLY FAR
GREATER THAN THEIR NUMBER.
Mr.. Hanna and a Host of Politicians
ON the GrOund-TalIxs with the
Senator and others.

arrived in the city tonight ana the Sena-
torial skirmish is at its height. Not since
the senatorial election of six years ago,
when the Sherman-Foraker contest was on,
have there been so many politicians in the
city at one time. Many have come merely
out of curiosity, but large number are
here to take active part in the contest be-
tween the Hanna and anti-Hanna Republic
ans To the Republicans at large the situa-
tion is inexplicable. The anti-Hanna Re-
publicans actually in evidence are so few
in numbers that the initiated can scarcely
comprehend why there should be such
| political stew. Charles l.. Kurtz, who is
leading the opposition to Senator Hanna,
to-day assumed personal charge of the
anti-Hanna headquarters at the Great
| Southern Hotel and small army of work
ers, mostly appointees of Governor Bush
nell in the state departments and state in
stltutions, besieged the rooms. The activ-
| ity at the Hanna headquarters at the three
| leading hotels was even more formidable.
The developments of the day were decid-
| edly favorable to Mr.. Hanna, on the sur
| face at least. The arrival of Mr.. Hanna on
| the scene during the afternoon seemed to
| turn the tide slightly in his favor His
| arrival was surprise to those not in touch
| with the managers of Mr.. Hanna's inter-
| ests as he was not expected according to
previous announcements, until Sunday.
| This change of programme construed
| by some to indicate that Mr.. Hanna's man.
ayers considered the situation desperate,
but there was nothing to indicate that this
surmise was we'll founded. On the con-
trary, Major Dick and his co-workers at
the. Hanna headquarters were in the most
cheerful spirits, and took more hopeful
view Of the situation than yesterday: There
was some rejoicing over the public declara-
tions of Representatives Redkey, of High
land county, and Smith, of Delaware coun-
ty, that they would vote for MIR. Hanna.
Both these representatives had been
claimed by the opposition. Mr.. Redkey
comes from county where it was expected
that the majority of his party would in
dorse his stand against Mr.. Hanna, if main
tanned. Representative Smith had a war of
words with Mr.. Kurtz as a result of his
desertion from the anti-Hanna ranks. Rep
resentatives Mason and Bramley, of Cuya-
hoga, now stand practically alone in their
opposition to Mr.. Hanna, although they do
not represent the strength of the anti
Hanna Republicans. The others have up to
this time kept closely under cover Repre-
sentative Mason is the avowed candidate
Of MIR. Kurtz for speaker in opposition to
Mr. Boxwel.
JONES WILL REMAIN NEUTRAL.
Lieutenant Governor "A. w. Jones, of
Youngstown, arrived this evening" He was
reported to have said that Mr. Hanna
would be defeated. In an interview he said:
81 am here to do my sworn duty under the
Constitution. shall preside at the organi-
zation of the Senate and think there will be
| .s-V I
know nothing about it; neither do l pro-
pose to take a hand in the matter. 1t is
my place and duty to be strictly neutral
and that is the position / will occupy.
hope everything will come out satisfactory
to the Republican party What more can L
say?
Hanna badges were conspicuous about the
hotel lobbies tonight. They bore a picture
Of Mr.; Hanna and the words, For Senator,
sieged by callers all evening, but accorded
a representative of the Associated Press an
interview. In response to an inquiry as to
what he thought of the situation he said:
THE contest between the Republican and
Democratic parties was settled by the peo-
pie at the polls last November. Their ver-
dict was in favor of the Republican party
and its platform. Since then l have not
read anything or been given any good rea
son why the verdict should be changed,
| The Toledo convention recommended the
whole state ticket and indorsed the admin
lStratlon or PRESIDENT Mckinley and Gov
ernOr Bushnell. The platform was adopted
by the state convention by unanimous vote.
1t contained an Endorsement of my candI-
dacy for the United States Senate and so
far as the party could do in state conven-
ton, 1t was committed to my election to the
high office to which / aspire. That COM
| bined action was a part of the platform of
the party, and, therefore Republicans all
over the State think the fruits of the vic
| tory obtained by the success of the Repub-
| lican party at the polls means nothing less
than that the will of the voters as eX-
pressed last November shall be carried out
by their representatives in the General AS
sembly. l know Of no reason why there
should be any change from the programme
| adopted at Toledo, and, having faith in the
loyalty and patriotism of the Republicans
| or Ohio, have no reason to doubt the full
illment of the pledges made TO the people,"
What do you think of the action of Mr..
Kurtz?'
II do not see any occasion why should
| indulge in personalities. I consider that
my own personality in this contest is insig-
nificant as compared to the Importance of
| this issue as affecting the future welfare of
| the Republican party. l will merely state
that | am confident that the attempt TO de-
feat the will of the people will not be sue
cessful."
LAST NIGHTS RUMoRS.
\ Rumors of all sorts were current tonight
regarding the attitude of the Democrats in
the senatorial matter. Nearly all the Dem
ocratic members-elect arrived this after
noon and evening. in response to telegrams
sent out last night, and there was great ac-
tivity around the anti-Hanna Headquarters
at the Great Southern Hotel. The opening
of Hanna headquarters at this hotel some
what disconnected Mr.. Kurtz, and he Sc
cured private rooms in remote part of the
hotel. There were {. series of conferences
between Mr.. KurtZ and the Democrats by
Allen o. Myers, Lew Bernard, of Cincin-
natl, and James Ross, of this city. Hereto
fore 1t has been understood that the DEM
ocrats We're to receive only portion of the
offices in the organization of the l1egisla-
ture. in consideration of a fusion to defeat
Mr. Hanna Now it is claimed the 1pe5no-
Gratis will not be satisfied with these spoils.
The latest story is that they demand ap-
pointive offices under Governor Bushnell
and also an agreement to assist in the cleo
zion of a Democratic secretary of state next
fall. This story seemed preposterous. Tut it
was vouched for by men who claimed to
have information of reliable nature TO that
effect. The story was denied at the anti
Hanna headquarters
To friend who broached the story Mr..
Kurtz is reported to have said lnas ne lid
not rely on Democratic votes to defeat Mr.
Hanna ar. kurtz has made this statement
before, but the numerous conferences which
he has held with the Democratic leaders
have not caused much confsdene 10 lie placed
In IT. 1t was claimed by some that the de-
-