The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-05-21
POLITICAL NOTES AND GOSSIP.
Fairbnnk. for SECOND pIncs-r,


Fairbanks for second PIace.-The
Indiana delegation is planning to get up
boom at the Philadelphia Convention for
Senator Fairbanks for President in 1900.
This, at any rate, is the report recently
sent out from Indianapolis. The delega-
tion will be accompanied TO Philadelphia
by thousand or more Hoosiers. all OF
whom will be Fairbanks rooters. The I'M
dertaking is SO novel a one that naturally
IL is suspected something less remote than
the first place nomination four years hence
is what the Fairbanks people are after.
For several months the senior Indiana
Senator has been a receptive candidate
for the second place on the ticket this
year. None of his friends have denied that
he was candidate. Every time the Sen
ator has been approached by newspaper
men on ~th2 question he has shrewdly
avoided its discussion IL is known that
he is very close to both Mr.. Hanna and
Mr. Mckinley. At the imminent risk of
losing his hold upon the party organiza-
ton in Indiana Senator Fairbanks has
boldly and consistently supported all Ad-
ministration measures in the Senate. He
and Mr.. Hanna are seen together a great
deal. and il is not doubted that there is
a thorough understanding between them
The Senator has the freedom of the White
House at al hours, and is a more frequent
visitor there than any other party leader
except Mr.. Hanna All of these signs in
dicate that he is persona grata to the
powers that be More thoroughly
than any other man mentioned
for the second place on the ticket
Senator Fairbanks represents the powerful
corporation interests which were response
bic for the nomination of the late Vice
President Hobart. As presiding officer Of
the Senate he could be depended upon
in all possible emergencies to safeguard
these interests. As the heir apparent he
could be trusted 20 carry out the admins
tratiye policies in the insuiar possessions
already inaugurated by Mr Mckinley. as
Well as others which will be fnaugurated
when the campaign is over. Senator Fair
banks seat in the Senate is in danger.
AS things go in Indiana, il win be The
Democrats turn to elect Senator when
Mr.. Fairbanks term expires in 1903 Even
IL the Democrats should not control the
Legislature. il is certain that Senator
Fairbanks would have to make a very
hard fight for reelection. with the odds
against him II therefore behooves him
and the interests he represents 10 take
advantage of the present opening in ma
tonal politics 10 keep him in high public
station. The noise which will be made
for him at Philadelphia is expected TO
stampede the convention to him for Vice
President. The only disadvantage under
which his boom labors is that he comes
from State which adjoins the Presidents
State. But as Mr. Mckinley this year Is
not to be presented as Ohio's candidate.
geographical considerations will not mill
tate against Senator Fairbanks candidacy.
Whose Man Il NeeIys-There seems
to be a disposition on the part OF the In
diana patronage distributors 10 shift re-
sponsibility for the appointment Of c. =.
W. Nicely as Treasurer OF the Cuban Pos
tai Service. II is distinctly recalled by
various gentlemen in Washington who
went to Havana with the American Army
Of occupation that the frugal and enter
prising Nicely showed up there soon after
the Army arrived with the proud an
nouncement-msde slyIy. Of eourse-that
he was very close to the Hon Perry 5.
Heath, and that but Tor the favor OF the
First Assistant Postmaster General he
would not have been seat to Cuba He
also boosted that Senator Fairbanks was
his friend aud hacker but he relied more
upon his pull with Mr.. Heath than upon
any other qualification. Close friends OF
Mr.. Heath say that gentleman now re-
SItLs ludl NuGu the uTSL news OF the Gu
ban scandals reached this country he is
sued a statement which theoretically re-
scented the intimation that Nicely was the
personal appcintee Of the First Assistant
Postmaster General. They say that in the
agitation Of the moment Mr. Heath lost
his head and made the first foolish break
he has made since he abandoned an hon
orable career IN journalism al Washing
ton for the alluremenJs OF Office Il is
pointed out that what Mr.. Heath should
have said in the statement referredfto was
that he had selected Nicely for the impor-
tant post in Cuba because he had known
the man intimately for years and at the
time OF his selection had no reason to suS-
pect his honesty. This. it is conJended.
would have made IL much easier for Mr..
Heath to face the grave responsibility !
which he assumed by appointing boyhood
friend to Of the most important posts
in the insular ser~ioe. Also it would have
disarmed the kind OF criticism which is
now being directed ar Heath. none OF
whose friends are willing to believe him
capable of desiring to shield Nicely
sherman Not Invited.-It is learned
that 70 invitation has yet been extended
to the Hon John Sherman by Mr. Hanul
to attend the Philadelphia Convention as