The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-08
Season of Fraternity and FeIicitatiou
Precedes the Nomination OF Mr..
watson In Convention.
IT Is NO TIME FOR CRITICISM
EARNEST THOUGHT, NOT CARELEss
TONGUES NEEDED. Is
The keynote of the Big Meetines
Hemenway to BE Nominated at
Rockport-Other State Politics.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
PERU, Ind, March z. - Notwithstand-
ing the nomination of Major George w.
Steele, OF Marion, for Congress without
opposition was a settled thing for weeks.
there was a large and enthusiastic repre-
sentation from the various counties OF the
district at the convention here this after
noon. 1t was Steele every place. and the
gathering was practically a good-natured
ratification OF the decision made some
time ago. The opera house was crowded
and a number OF ladies were present, Mrs.
Charles B. Lands, of Delphi. wife OF Rep
resentative Lands. being among them
The stage was decorated with flags and
had portraits of Mckinley. Washington
and Lincoln displayed. The Citizens band
furnished the music.
District Chairman Bigler, OF Wabash.
called the assemblage to order at 1:30
o'clock. 1t looked as IL there was an
air of uncertainty over some portions OF
the convention. owing to the possibility OF
an unwelcome Porto Rican resolution
showing itself to mar the harmony OF the
occasion, but plans had been laid carefully
by the managers, and danger Of that kind
from DR.. ]. N. Watson. OF Macy. or from
any other quarter did not develop. Mr..
Bigler announced the appointment OF w.
T. Wilson, of Logansport, the tempo
rary chairman. Mr.. Wilson spoke briefly.
The permanent organization was perfected
with Thomas L. Stitt, of Wabash, as chair
man, and Charles Lockwood. of Peru. as
secretary.
On the call of the counties, ali gave way
to Grant, and s. L. Strickler. of Marion,
nominated Major Steele In a ten-minute
address. Wabash county seconded the
nomination and the convention made it
unanimous by rising en- masse and cheer
ing to the echo.
THE ARTICLES OF FAITH.
The committe on resolutions, which had
been ready to report before the nomina-
ton, announced their present readiness,
and by Major J. B. Kenner. Of Hunting
ton, reported as follows:
Resolved, by the Republicans of the
Eleventh Indiana congressional district,
that we indorse the splendid administra-
ton of President Mckinley, in peace and
in war, and felicitate our people on the
sound financial policy instituted. the un-
precedented prosperity Of the people, the
restored cordiality and union of all parts
Of the United States, and our wonderful
progress and high standing among the ma
tions of the world, which we believe to be
the legitimate result of Republican doc
trines and principles. faithfully and dis
struction of the Nicaraguan canal under
the absolute control Of the United States.
Although our new possessions will involve
new and intricate problems which may re-
quire trial and alteration before they are
fully perfected and finally solved, yet we
have an abiding faith in the administra-
ton and the Congress and the Republican
party, and believe that these questions
will be met as they arise, and viii be
solved to the appreciation and true inter-
ests Of all the people OF our common coun-
try, incuding our insular possessions"
MAJOR sTEELE's ADDRESS.
The resolutions were adopted unanimous
ly. The convention called for Major
Steele. who was brought before them and
was greeted with hearty acclaim. 'Hs
spoke. in part. as follows:
'T cannot express this afternoon how
heartily / thank you for this my ninth
nomination in the old Eleventh district
Seven out OF the nine times I have been
successful and have been your representa-
tive. We started the war not TO gain ter
ritory, but to give Cuba stable govern
ment OF her own. When that is estab-
lished we will withdraw, but not so with
the Philippines and Porto Rico. The island
Of Porto Rico has been looked upon as a
garden spot and place to be sought by all
men. While it is all true, there come re-
sponsibilities that we knew not OF. Who
knew when We got the island hat % per
cent. of the population was unable TO read
or write, that 50 per cent. never were
clothed beyond perhaps a shirt that s. per
cent. did not wear Shoes that there was
not a single school building on the island,
that there were only seven roads their
places being taken by bride paths Did
you suppose that the population OF Porto
Rico was five times greater 10 the number
Of square miles than that OF Indiana? The
people have been downtrodden and op-
pressed for all these years. The laborers
work for from 10 to 60 cents of Spanish
money a day. In August last a hurricane
swept over the island, leveled the huts and
| tore the buds and leaves from the coffee
| plants, and no marketable coffee was left.
| The men who employed these poor people
| were as absolutely destitute as they We're
| Every acre of coffee land Is mortgaged at
an average OF $40 an acre. and there Is
| debt OF over $50000.0o0 on the entire island
| besides. The President in his message 10
/ Congress. said our plain duty is 10 abolish
| all customs tariffs between the United
| States and Porto Rico and give her prod
| ucts free access to our markets"
| The convention broke I'm at this time with
| applause which was not sought for. but
| Major Steele went on 10 the point he want
ed TO bring out. which was that the Pres
| ident had also asked that the regulation OF
| tariff rates on merchandise imported from
| the island into the United States have care
| ful consideration and action. thus recognize
| ing the power OF Congress 10 regulate the
tariff II believe" said Major Steele. with
the President. and so did nearly every
member OF the ways and means committee.
that we may legislate for the island We
| did II I'm Florida and we did II In Louisiana
There is no question in my mind about
is established that We may Iegislate fer
-