The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-29
a Meeting Held in the Office of the
Democratic State Central
Committee.
SOME RECKLESS CHARGES MADE
JOHN w. HOLTZNAN, a. G.. SMITH AND
JOHN w. KERN AT MEETING.
Frank IL. Burke Also Leading Spirit
of the Conference.-The Action
Taken.

In response to invitations sent out by the
Democratic city committee nearly a half
hundred attorneys of the Indianapolis bar,
all of whom are supposed to have more or
less faith in the principles of the Demo
cratic party, assembled yesterday afternoon
at the headquarters of the Democratic state
central committee, on the sixth floor of the
Lombard building, and after three hours of
persuasive eloquence instilled by repre-
sentatives of the Democratic machine or
ganized themselves into a working political
body auxiliary and subsidiary to the plans
of the Democratic city committee.
When the legal gentlemen first arrived at
the meeting place they were in ignorance of
the object Of their presence, the invitations
conveying intimation of the meeting s
purpose. The greatest care had been ex-
ercised in order that none but the faith
full should be invited to the parley, but, as
sometimes happens, one or two of the in
vitations found their way into the hands
of those who are no longer affiliated with
the Democratic party, and consequence
the doings of the meeting are now an open
secret
MIR. HOLTZMAN PRESIDED.
When the rooms occupied by the Demo-
filled and the hour had grown so late that
no other guests were expected, the doors
were carefully closed and the meeting was
called to order by John w. Hoffman, who
acted as temporary chairman. Without
circumlocution Mr.. Hoffman proceeded to
inform his fellow-attorneys of the object
of the meeting. He said the Democratic
leaders had after much elaboration, ar
rived at the unanimous conclusion that
there was need of greater organized effort
in the present campaign, and that If such
a thing could be made possible no addi-
tional organization would be so efficient or
bring about better results than one re-
cruited entirely from the ranks of the
Democratic lawyers of the city.
Think what such an organization, allied
with the city committee, would mean to
the Democratic party In TINS CITY! sald
Mr.. Hoffman. There is nothing We
could not accomplish with your intelli-
gence for our sinews of war. The tenn
pOrary chairman stated that there had
been some talk of making such an organ
iZatiOn a permanent affair. but that 1t
was a matter entirely within the discretion
of those present, and he would therefore
take the liberty of calling upon them for
expressions.
Looking towards Alonzo Green Smith,
the chairman asked if anybody present
desired to express himself on the matter
prmed himself for the occasion, embraced
the opportunity. He said the time had come
when the attorneys in this city who were
affiliated with the Democratic party were
compelled to associate themselves together
for the sake of mutual protection. He de-
clared that it was impossible for a Demo-
cratic attorney to obtain his rights
fair hearing before any of the courts Of
Marion county. The Criminal Court, he
said, was used for political jobbery by the
Republicans and unless an attorney rad
he X m W. for
him to go into the courts and expect TO be
treated with fairness. He urged upon his
hearers the necessity of political organiza-
ton and maintained that the organization
should be kept intact not only through the
city campaign but long enough TO Dust the
men who sat on the benches of the Marion
county courts.
BURKE'S CHARGES.
Frank B. Burke went Mr.. Smith one bet
ter and declared that the judges of the
Marion county Superior Courts wrote
their decisions at the Marion Club, being
governed in each instance by spirit Of
craftsmanship which made justice a mock
cry. Like Mr.. Smith he insisted that
political organization which would effect
change in Marion county's judiciary
would not only be of great benefit to the
Democratic party, but TO the attorneys
themselves.
Speeches along the same line were made
by John w. Kern, Joseph T.. Bell and 9TH
ers closely connected with the administra-
ton. One speaker paid his particular re-
spects to Judge Allen, of the Circuit Court,
declaring that he was more unfair than
either of the judges of the Superior bench.
When the attorneys who composed the
audience had been worked up to the proper
pitch with dreadful tales of wrong and
injury which the agents of the Taggart
machine poured into their ears. the speak
ers instantly subsidized, motion was hast
lily put to the chair and before the men
knew what they were doing they had
formed themselves into organization,
and all were pledged to drive such men
Henry Clay Allen, John l.. McMaster. Vim
son Carter and James NJ. feathers from the
judiciary Of Marion county, OStenSibly be-
cause of alleged unfairness. but in reality TO
make room for some of the organizers of
yesterday s meeting.