The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-02
Fourth District Democratic Quarrels.

HV"HsH DAssrics DemOcrat1c Qu0rreIs.
To the Editor of the indianapolis Journal:
The Democratic political pot in the
Fourth congressional district is boiling
over with contending factions and personal
interests, and the Republicans are rejoicing
at their dilemma. Close observation
throughout the district shows that the Re-
publicans were never in better fighting
trim, and they are eager for the fight. On
all hands they express themselves as conf
dent of a victory. With the strife and in
ternal warfare among the Democrats it
looks very much as If there is good ground
for their hope. The controversy among the
Democracy originally existed between John
Overmyer, Of North Vernon, and Francis
NJ. Griffith, Of vevay. Mr.. Griffith's former
recognition causes him to feel that he has
a claim on the party for reelection, and
he has an enthusiastic following, but with
the leaders OF the party in the district for
various reasons, he is not popular, and
when the slate Is made he will doubtless be
left of. Mr.. Overmyer Ca recent convert
10 the Democratic party) has long been en-
gagged in working political wires to secure
the nomination for himself, but ii is under
stood among Republicans that the active
workers OF his party in his own county
(Jennings) are at heart opposed to him.
and that they are secretly arranging to
dump him. The contest between these
two has become SO warm and the breach in
the party so wide that Chairman Martin
has been forced to turn his attention to
the district, which has long been regarded
as Democratic Gibraltar. II is said that
Chairman Martin has agents at work
throughout the district trying to bring
about an amicable settlement. From the
best information that can be gathered, 1t
would appear that the Democratic state
committee has undertaken to settle the
difficulty by leaving out both Mr.. Grit
nth and Mr.. Overmyer and picking a man
who is presumed to be outside of the poit-
zeal broil. It is also said that the poll
ticians of the district, chief among whom
are Judge Willard New and Lincoln Dixon
Of Jennings county, who are ostensibly for
Overmyer, sanction this move and are
lending IL every assistance In their power.
1t Is at least current rumor that with this
purpose in view, and incidentally to further
a few personal interests, a slate has been
agreed on. and that by private agreement
Judge Willard New will be nominated for
Congress, Lincoln Dixon (member of the
state committee) will receive the nominal
ton for Circuit judge of Ripley. Jennings
and Scott counties, Senator Joe Shea, of
Jackson, will lend his influence to the
scheme in order that his cousin, James
Fortune. may have the nomination for
joint senator from Clark. Scott and Jen-
nings, and Charles Cruson, of Scott, will
lend his assistance and be the nominee for
joint representative for Scott and Jennings.
Thus Griffith, Overmyer, Geisel and the
rest of the lesser lights are TO be laid on
the shelf. The fight will then be just be-
gun. and the outlook for Republican sue
cess In the district is more than encour-
aging. OBSERVER.
Scottsburg, Ind, Feb. 1.