The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-20
Vigorous Denial of Reports Sent Out
from Washington by a sensa-
tionaI Correspondent.
NO ATTEMPT At DICTATION
REPRESENTATIONS AND SENATORS
HAVE NOT INTERFERED.
VIII Attend Convention. but Merely as
OnIookers-Crumpac booming
A. C.. Harris for Vice President.
special to the Indianapolis Journal.

WASHINGTON, April 19-Indiana men,
bers Of Congress are beginning to hear
from home in a way that annoys them
greatly with regard to the baseless reports
sent from Washington charging them with
having taken part in the preparation of
platform and otherwise shaping the busi-
ness Of the convention to meet In Indian
spolis next week. They stoutly main
tain that the report referred TO is utterly
without foundation and that they have
had nothing whatever to do with the map
ring out of the work of the convention
or In any way attempting to shape its pol
icies The misleading report originated at
the time Chairman Hernly paid a visit to
Washington to confer with Senator Hanna
and arrange with him some of the details
of the presidential campaign in Indiana.
If Chairman Hernly brought platform to
Washington he neglected TO show 1t to
any Republican member of the Indiana del
cgation or to Senator Fairbanks So far
as can be ascertained. nobody claims to
have seen the alleged Hernly platform.
except the correspondent of an afternoon
Indianapolis paper. An unknown and un-
named party the same veracious chron-
icler vaguely refers TO as a sharper In the
deal
From Senator Fairbanks clear down
through the Indiana Republican delegation
In Congress. with one single exception,
who was not seen by the. Journal corre-
spondent. each and all give specific denial
of the published stories that they were
called In by Chairman Hernly to construct
q State platform or consulted about the
craftsmanship proposition. Fairbanks,
Steele. Landis. Brick. Hemenway. Watson.
Overstreet, Crumpacker and Faris are of
one voice on the question.
Some of the Indiana representatives have
received very pointed communications from
constituents advising them to attend to
their own business and not meddle with
the convention. A number of newspapers
throughout the State seem to have taken
the same stand. and marked copies are
being received by members voicing the
prevailing sentiment on the subject. The
congressman who are being made targets
for this kind of attention. being entirely in
nocent OF any wrongdoing along the lines
complained of. are naturally indignant that
they should be subjected to the uncalIed-
for annoyance and Misrepresentation. II
they had attempted to mix into the busi-
ftCcc VI the Stdtc COINcHllOn tuey might
feel that the attacks upon them are JUS
titled. but not having been consulted by Mr.
Hernly or anybody else on the question
OF platform making or upon the selection
OF chairman for the convention they
want the truth TO be given circulation
They do not feel they have calls to become
self-elected guardians of a state conven-
tion with whose affairs they have nothing
to do beyond the part allotted other earn
est individual Republicans of the common
wealth. The state convention WILL never
theless, draw nearly every Indiana Re-
publican member of Congress TO Indian
apolis. Representative Hemenway left for
Indianapolis this evening. He takes an
early start In order that he may be on the
ground TO help his friend. Frank b. Posey,
I'm his race for the gubernatorial nominal
tion- Mr.. Watson will probably start to-
morrow. Major Steele. Mr.. Landis, Mr..
Brick. Mr.. Cromer and Judge Crumpacker
expect 10 leave on Saturday and be in In
6ianapolis on Sunday night and Monday
Senator Fairbanks is planning to be home
on Monday. Whether Il will be possible
for Senator Beveridge TO be on hand or
Tot no one In Washington appears to be
advised
Judge Crumpacker in an interview this
evening said he had no intention of urging
upon the Republicans OF Indiana the adop-
tion by the state convention of a Porto
Rican declaration He thinks that perhaps
T. may be well, In the interest OF harmony.
for the convention 10 ignore that ques-
tion
Judge Crumpacker will take with him TO
Indianapolis an embryotic vice presidential
boom. He has made up HIS mind that Hon.
Addison c. Harris. our minister TO Aus
tria, is about the best material to be found
In the country for Vice President, and will
try TO impress his views upon his Indiana
friends. He recalls the historical fact that
Mr. Harris was urged very strongly for a
Cabinet position three years ago and came
near being appointed Judge Crumpacker
thinks Mr.. Harris would add materially to
the strength Of the national ticket II given
second place on IL.