The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-11

toward events; that Is a good Democratic
selves hoarse in proelaiming as long as II
is the other fellows administration that is
TO suffer. Whether it viii work out remains
10 De seen. / am inclined TO believe tnat IL
Will not, for six months or year from
now, when the events of this week can be
viewed dispassionately and without bias, the
people or Evansville will realize that the
unfortunate affair would have occurred just
as inevitably under one administration as
another, and that neither Republicans nor
Democrats, but the lawless spirit that can
be so easily aroused among the rin-ran OF
Doth parties, is responsible.
And. by the way, while the subject is up
pernost let IL be said that practicaly al
ing Identified in any way with the rioting
moDs are without foundation II always
adds great deal to dispatch concerning
a demonstration IF such nature to ring
all the changes on the part taken by prom
inent citizens" :the most substantial bust
ness men," conservative, cool-headed citi-
zens. etc. and correspondents are prone 10
make their copy" as good as possible.
This week in Evansville has been no ex-
ception. Even the local newspapers have
fallen into the mistake, not only in their
own columns, but in the information which
they have furnished 10 special correspond
ents. So far / have been able to learn.
no prominent citizens were involved IN any
manner in the rioting. Many notorious cit
liens took part, but none who is prominent.
in the real sense of that much-abused word.
During Sunday nights affair, when hard
ware were broken INTO anu the tuODS
shot up the town." a number of young
men were involved who belong to prominent
families and are well known, but they were
drawn into the affair through spirit OF
recklessness and dare-deviltry, not through
innate viciousness.
To come back TO the question of the prob
able political effect OF the late war" it will
be seen that the question is one of impor-
tance when 1t is pointed out that Evans
vile holds the key to Vanderburg
county and the first district as well.
AS Evansville goes so goes the
county and district. The city has
normal Republican plurality of from 5000
to 1900. which happens to be just about the
number of negro voters there are here, al
though 1t Is said that the Republicans by
no means get all these votes. 1t would not
require a great reversion of sentiment TO
overcome that Republican plurality, how
ever, and turn the reins over to Democracy,
and this might happen but for the fact that
the Democrats of the city, county and dis
trict will be embroiled in the party ruction
that is spreading all over Indiana, dating
from July 4 and the formation of the In
diana jefferson League. There are Bryan
Democrats in this part of the State-for did
not Evansville produce the man for vice
president Of the league in the person OF
William Reister?- there are also Demo-
Gratis Of the other brand, high 'reorgani-
GERS" and the forces are fairly well divided.
The result is readily apparent. Both ele-
ments claim they will win out hands down.
Said Mr.. Reister when saw him this fore
noon:
1.-The Bryan Democrats are in a large ma
jority in the district and We shall gain con-
troll practically without struggle. All We
need Is TO get the voters out and Interested
In the question. If the issue is left TO few
politicians the other element may retain
control"
Said John j. Nolan, the present member
Democratic committee from
the district, last night:
There isn't enough of them CBryanites)
to control a precinct in the district. 1 had
virtually decided to retire from politics, as
my present business requires all my atten-
ton, but If II comes to fight for control
of the party organization ! suppose I'll be
mixed up in II. One thing / must say, how
ever-while the Democrats of this section
of the State are not for Mr.. Bryan now, If
he should receive the presidential nomina-
ton next year they will all be for him."
Mr.. Nolan said this like he meant it. Per-
haps he did.
Mr.. Reister talked freely of the proposed
work of the new Jefferson League.
There is no mystery about the new or
ganization." he said. 1--WE are merely at
tempting to start a movement in the inter-
est Of true Democratic principles We want
our party to promulgate platforms that
can be distinguished from Republican plat
forms and nominate candidates about
whose Democracy there cannot be the
slightest question. OF course, We shall try
to control the party organization. How
otherwise, could we hope to accomplish our
purpose? The only question as to our sue
cess is the question of getting the voters
out to take hand in the affair. The rank
and file of Indiana Democracy is with us,
but 1t is often the case that the rank and
file has little to do with the control Of the
party or the PRONUNCIATION of issues and
principles. We hope to change conditions so
that the rank and file will have everything
to do with 1t.
The work of spreading the organization
of the league is we'll under way, says Mr..
Reister. The system Is this: The executive
committee appointed last Saturday will
name precinct president for every pre-
cinct in Indiana the precinct presidents in
each county will elect a county president
and the county presidents will elect the dis
trict presidents. The Jefferson League
clubs will be organized in every precinct.
Pamphlets explaining the nature of the or
ganization and its purpose and membership
cards will be sent out by the Thousand be-
fore the LIST of August. 1t had been the
original plan to distribute this literature
July 20. but there will probably be slight
delay. Some time this coming fall a big
rally of the Bryanites will be held at In
dianapolis to give the league a rousng
send-off. 1t is understood that the leaders
of the movement expect to pay space rates
for all publicity concerning this demonstra-
ton which is given them in the Democratic
state organ.
Speaking of Bryan Democrats reminds me
that A P. Cardwell, one of the men under
indictment by the grand jury here for riot
Gus conspiracy and participating in riots
of Saturday or Sunday nights, is regarded
as one of the leaders of that wing of the
party in this community. He has been
referred to frequently since his arrest as
one of the most prominent business men of
Evansville, but such is not the case. He is
a furniture dealer, with an establishment
on Main street, the principal business thor
oughfare of the city, but he makes no pre-
tensions to ranking as one of the leading
merchants here.
Enough for the Democrats. There is a
of the sort that it is good to meet and hold
communion with. and George A. Cunning
ham, who is at the head of the district or
ganization. and therefore member of the
Republican state committee, is one Of the
best of these. Mr.. Cunningham has been
deeply concerned over the tumultuous af-
fairs of the past week, and was at the head
of the citizens movement TO assist Mayor
Covert and General Mckee in directing the
disposition of the city and state forces to
control the situation and restore peace and
order. He has been in the work almost
night and day since Monday, and is about
worn out physically, but, although ex-
tremely tired. he is happy. for he firmly be-
lieves that Evansville will never have a
This morning Mr.. Cunningham was asked
If he would talk politics.
well. l declare" he replied. II had al
most forgotten there was such thing as