The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-28
THE DRIFT OF POLITICS.

The list of prospective entries for the
Republican gubernatorial handicap is grow
ing. The list at present includes lawyers
and manufacturers. Comes now a farmer
James NJ. Barlow, of Plainfield. Hendricks
Countrywide is just concluding a term in
the State Senate.
Senator Barlow was in the city yesterday,
and while he did not formally announce his
candidacy, he said that unless the unex-
pected turns up to deter him he will in all
probability be in the race before it is many
months older.
1.-THE Office Of Governor is one which I
had never thought of seeking until a few
weeks ago." said the senator. lone of my
friends asked me why did not get into the
race, and since then several things have
occurred to lead me to consider the sugges-
ton seriously and carefully. 1 am very free
to confess that have not been waiting for
the Office to come to me, or for a great
popular uprising to bring me the nomina-
ton on a platter. On the contrary. have
been looking into the question, commune
eating with my friends and attempting to
determine what my chances as a candidate
would be- If / am led to believe that 1
would have a fair chance to win, / shall
become candidate.
II have received many letters from friends
in various parts Of the State, who are so
kind as TO urge me TO become q candidate,
and to assure me of their support even
before / asked Ii, and a number of news
papers have had kind things to say about
me and the suggestion that / enter the race.
OF course this has been extremely crafty
ing. L believe that the race for the Repub-
ican nomination for Governor is young yet.
The finish is long ways off, and | don't
believe any one can pick the winner. The
developments of the next three months may
put an entirely different phase on the situa-
ton, and | am in no hurry to make my
decision. 1 have observed that in politics
the race is not always TO the first candi-
dates in the field.
II have talked with a number of promi-
net Republicans whose political wisdom /
regard highly. and without exception they
advised me that there is room in the race
for another candidate and fair chance for
his success. While here to-day | met two
men who expressed that opinion"
From this 1t is evidently inferred that
Barlow is willing, but with the caution
proverbial of farmers, he purposes to make
no rash moves and will not announce his
candidacy unless he feels reasonably sure
he has more than a fighting chance.
Senator Barlow has been an active and
aggressive member of the upper branch
of the Legislature During the last session
he held the craftsmanship of the committee
on reformatories, was a member of the
committee on county and township bust
ness and had other important assignments.
He introduced number of bills and was
successful in pushing several of them
through. He is not an orator. but on oc-
casion demonstrated that he could command
a hearing on the floor.
The Fifth district has at present but
one avowed candidate for a nomination
within the gift of the Republican State
convention-Ben <. Corwin, of Greencastle
who has formally announced his candidacy
for reporter OF the Supreme Court
Judge David A. Myers. of Greensburg
chairman of the Republican organization
in Decatur county, was a caller at Senator
/ Beveridge's office.
/ The members of Senator Fairbanks's Office
corps are preparing for the annual mi.
/ grafton to Washington. Carl Balm will be
the advance guard as he will depart fol
! the capital this evening. Jerry Mathews
/ the senator's private secretary, will follow
/ I'm ten days. while Russell G. King viii
bring up the rear ten days later.
Senator Fairbanks himself will probably
not return to indianapolis before the open
ing OF Congress. When he left for Obi,
Monday to fill his speaking engagement:
! in that State he expected TO go direct from
I. Ohio TO New York TO look after bushes.
matters for a few days, and go from Their,