Evening star., 1900-02-08
Indiana Editors Mold Public Opinion
in Hoosier State.
SOMETIMES CLASH WITH POLITICIANS
Conventions Usually Follow Advice
of Their Party Newspapers.
THE SITUATION AT PRESENT
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

In one very important particular Indiana
differs in political management from all the
other states of the Union. In other states
the politicians outline the policy and the
newspapers and the people follow their
lead, but in Indiana the editors outline and
the politicians follow. The editors of both
the great parties have their association,
and they hold a meeting in midwinter. At
those meetings an expression is given on
the political issues, and from the date of
the meetings the position of each party in
the state is well defined. and the campaign
is fought out on that line SO far as the
state is concerned.
In 1883 there was division among the
party leaders of the state, some of them
advocating Harrison and others Gresham.
The republican editorial association de-
clared in favor of Harrison, and the tide
turned that way In 1896 nearly all the
politicians were against Mr.. Mckinley, but
again the editors in their association an
nounced the feeling of the party in the
state, and the opposition to Mckinley died.
Declared for Sound Money.
They also declared emphatically for
sound money. Prior to that time there had
been very strong feeling in the party,
both ir the rank and file and with the poll
tIcians, for free silver; that is, the rank and
file Were for free silver and the politicians
in favor of dodging the issue, but the ed
itors We're outspoken, and when the con-
vention met it followed the lead of the
editors. Among the democrats of that year
the leaders were nearly all against the free
silver idea such men as Capt. w. E. En-
glish. John w. Kern, w. r. Myers. A G.
Smith. Hugh Dougherty, w. d. Bynum
Thomas Taggart, the Frenzells We're out
spoken against free silver and made
speeches at mass meetings against that
doctrine. The editors, however. at their as
sociation declared in it's favor, and the poll
ticians We're forced to acquiesce
Both of the associations have held their
meetings this year, and both have an
nounced the policy of their party. The re-
publicans have declared for Mckinley the
currency bill and expansion. The demo-
ciats have declared for sixteen to one and
against holding the Philippines A strong
enort was made to get them to abandon
free silver and to not oppose the Presi-
dents policy to the Philippines, but they
decided otherwise Since the campaign of
1896 the ranks of the opponents of sixteen
10 one nave been strengthened by Samuel
Morse, late consul general to Paris and
editor of the Sentinel. He did not take an
active Part in the editorial meeting. but
w. r. Myers, who has served three terms
as secretary of state, took strong grounds
claiming that before the campaign would
be opened the currency bill putting the
country on practically gold basis, would
become law, and 1t ought to be given a
1alr trial. He also declared that the flag
once having been raised over a country
should never be lowered. He was defeated
however, and it may be put down that the
democracy of Indiana will now stand again
1or iree silver, and will oppose the Presi-
dents colonial policy.
Change In Views of Partssans.
This attitude of the editors will cause
quite change among the party followers.
Six months ago full 40 per cent Of the
re- in tha
tion of the Philippines. Now not more
than 20 per cent lean that way, and of that
20 per cent a very small fraction. il any.
VIII abandon the party on that account
Iii 1896 fully 80 per cent of the party on
posed free silver, and a very large number
months ago fully 40 per cent were in favor
OF abandoning that issue; now all who
ilnaliy stood for free silver in 1896 stand for
making ii issue again. but those who
would not vote for Bryan then will not
vote for him this year. So the two parties
stand practically as they did in 1876 in In
diana.
One-half of the populists coalesced with
the democrats in 1856, and they will do so
now, on the free silver and anti-expansion
issues. -Four years ago the republican edi-
tors pronounced strongly for protective
tariff; This year they missed that issue al
together, except in d resolution asking that
rags and wood pulp be put on the free IT
IL locks as if their OK was being gored.
Inc democrats are for free silver but they
are not so warm for Bryan. If they could
fihd some one else who stands for their
fnanclal notions. and who could make a
good showing in the convention, they would
abandon the Bryan flag. All the leaders
either openly or secretly oppose the nomi
nation of Bryan, and in this they are joined
by quite number of the most influential
editors. If Ex-Governor Matthews had not
died they would go to the convention strong
for him, but they are not yet ready to unite
on a candidate as against Bryan.
Sop to the Seceders. .
The democrats are hoping to win back
most of those who deserted them on the
financial issue. They are saying the cur
rency bill will pass and as the republicans
will control the Senate for a number of
years and thus make it impossible to
change the law, there is no reason why
those who believe with them on all the
other issues should not unite with them
again. With any other candidate but Bryan
TINS argument would have it's influence
but the gold democrats say that Bryan
Would keep up such a turmoil that he
would keep business unsettled during his
whole term, and they do not want TO see
the tide of prosperity turned again to de-
preston.
The republicans, notwithstanding on gen.
eral issues they are united, are having their
own troubles. Already about fifteen eandi
dates are out for the nomination for gov
errnor, and quite bitter feeling is dis
played. This feeling is being fostered by
the friends of the two senator's In Indian
apolis there are two afternoon papers,
both leaning to the republicans One is
looked upon as the special organ of Sena-
tor Fairbanks while the other is the
avowed champion of Beveridge The Bev
eridge organ announces that Fairbanks il
laboring in the interests of Congressman
Lands for governor, while the Fafrba nks
organ declares that the Beveridge men in
the state are working for John l.. Griffiths
of Indianapolis. in the hope that in 1909.
when the term of Fairbanks expires, the
state will ask for division Of florors with
Indianapolis, and thus relegate Fairba nks
to private life. Recently the Beyertdee
organ had very cunningly devised letter
from Washington, as to the relations be-
tween the two senator's which stated that
outwardly the two gentlemen were the
best Of friends. but that Fairbanks was
exceedingly jealous of his colleague All
the hypocrisy was placed at the door of
Fairbanks and all the candor to Beyerfipe
The letter has increased the belief that
there is an estrangement between the two
and is having an effect on the party here
Animal Relieved to BE Mad.
The killing Of a dog at No. 41O 11th street
northeast was reported by the police last
night. 1t was believed that the animal was