The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-10

Samuel r. Artman will be speaker of the
Indiana House of Representatives, being
the cnoice of the Republican caucus which
met at the Statehouse at o'clock. last
night. Mr. Artman was the only candidate
and his selection was unanimous.
James f. Statesman, who had for several
days hotly contested the selection OF Mr..
Artman, withdrew from the race late
yesterday afternoon, leaving the Boone
county candidate a clear field.
The Statesman and Artman forces both
held meetings late yesterday evening. and
at the Statesman meeting, which was at
tended by about fifty politicians. it was
decided that the Miami county candidate
should withdraw from the contest. There
were in the neighborhood OF twenty-five
members Of the House in the Statesman
meeting, 1t was said. The meeting was
held about o'clock and before 6 o'clock
Mr.. Artman had been notified OF his op-
ponent's action. He was informed by a
committee consisting of Messrs- Dilley. AL
len, Perrett and 5tookey. This committee
carried Mr. Stutesman's compliments 10
Mr. Artman and announced that he would
no longer be a candidate for the speaker
ship.
A few minutes later Mr.. Artman called
at Mr. Stutesman's rooms and the two men
shook hands and felicitated each other
on the harmonious and dignified manner In
which each had conducted his campaign.
Mr.. Statesman assured Mr.. Artman OF hts
hearty support. My troubles are over and
yours are just beginning said Mr.. Stutes-
man satirically. The latter attended the
caucus and cast his ballot for Mr.. Art
man. Before the caucus last night Mr..
Statesman made this statement in explana-
tion of his action:
"Up to 4 o'clock this afternoon we had
assurances that would receive a SUM-
cient number OF votes TO elect me speaker
of the House. At that hour IL appeared
that these assurances would not be borne
out We could not count more than twen-
ty-eight votes that II was believed would
be cast for me-" Mr. Statesman said he
felt very grateful TO his friends for their
loyalty. Those in the meeting" he said.
Offered to go into the caucus and stand
up and be counted for me-" J. II. Healing
said that at the Artman meeting there were
thirty-nine members OF the House present.
Mr.. Artman. he said. was sure of these and
knew of two more votes he could get that
were not represented. One OF these was
Frederick Ostermeyer. OF Marion county.
who was confined 10 his home by illness.
BUSINESS OF CAUCUS.
Representative Roberts. OF Jefferson
county. called the caucus TO order and an
nounced the purpose OF the gathering. John
A. Bonham. OF Hartford City. was chosen
chairman and the members Immediately
proceeded 10 transact business for which
they had been called together. The Sc
Iections OF the caucus were as follows:
speaker-samuel r. Artman. OF Boone
county.
Chief clerk-wilIiam Essmann. OF In
dianapoiis.
Assistant Clerk-D. B. J. schafer. OF
South Bend.
Chief Doorkeeper-william T. Murray, OF
Connersville.
The selection OF speaker was the FIRST
order OF business after the caucus had or.
ganized. Mr.. Statesman having withdrawn.
Mr.. Artman had no opposition and his cleo
ton was made by acclamation. He was
placed in nomination by A. NJ. Scott. OF
Montgomery county. who spoke highly OF
him. Mr.. Scott said he knew Mr. Art
man 10 be a man OF ability and he knew
that he enjoyed the confidence OF the peo-
pie OF the four counties he represents.
Mr. Scott will place Mr. Artman In nomi-
nation before the members OF the House
this morning.
William Essman defeated Fred KIM
bley for the Office OF chief clerk OF ths