The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-27

Yesterdays convention was one of the
most notable in the history of the party
because Of the intensity of the rivalry for
the nominations. The determined contests
were not those of factions such as exist in
other States. but simply struggles of in
dividual candidates and their friends to
obtain the coveted nomination. The inten-
sity of the feeling grew out of the loyalty
of supporters to their candidates. Both
Colonel Durbin and Mr.. Grifhths had an
advantage greater than that of leading on
the first ballot I'm that they had votes in
every section of the State that did not have
candidates. The result of this was that they
had men In delegations who could help
them, so that instead of falling off their
respective votes increased with each bal
lot. 1t was this fact rather than his lead
on the first ballot which gave Colonel Dur
bin the nomination. The success of Capt.
Newton w. Gilbert for the second place
come within forty-five votes of a nominal
tion was one of the surprises which make
political contests uncertain. In the history
of the party two such contests in an In
diana Republican nominating convention
are without precedent.
Colonel Winfield T.. Durbin is well known
in Indiana. where he has always lived. By
untiring application and good judgment he
has been most successful in business. He
is a man of rare executive ability. always
accomplishing with signal success what
ever he has undertaken. He was a private
in the Union army as soon as he was old
enough TO be accepted. He has always
taken an active part in political matters.
being the Indiana member of the Repub-
Ecan national committee in 1896, where he
was recognized as an effective organizer.
No better volunteer regiment was in the
service than that of which he was colonel.
He Is not al orator in the general accep-
lance of the term, but he possesses execu-
tive ability and is an experienced and
skillful organizer. He is a man of affairs.
which fits him admirably for the direction
of the business of a great State. 1t is no re-
Election upon the other able men who
aspired to the second place on the ticket
to say that Captain Gilbert is admirably
qualified for the position. He was a faith
full and capable senator and an efficient
officer in the Observation-Disclosures
Indiana. He will be a very effective man in
the canvass. With the exception of Statis-
tician Conner, the rest of the ticket is COM
posed of the present incumbents of the Of
fees: If Mr.. Johnson can bring to the Of
flee of statistician the qualifications of Mr..
Conner his selection will prove a fortunate
one. Mr.. Foster made a brilliant fight for
the judgeship, but the antitrust decision of
Judge Jordan which has attracted so much
attention gave him many votes. From first
to last, and as a whole, the ticket is one
of the best ever presented TO the voters Of
Indiana by any party.
Very naturally, many are disappointed:
indeed. with so many candidates 1t could
not be otherwise; but the fact that the
utmost fairness prevailed during all the
ballots and that no personal bitterness
grew out of the canvasses of the ~aspirants.
all will give cordial support to the ticket
nominated. 1t was an excellent days work.