The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-01
THE DRIFT OF POLITICS

The intimation that John L. Forkner. of
Anderson. may become a candidate for the
Democratic gu~bernatorial nomination has
been. on the whole. we'll received by the
party leaders. All of them have good words
for the Anderson mayor, and they do not
hesitate to express themselves in that way,
although the opinion has been advanced
by several that Mr.. Forkner is not a can
didate and has no thought of entering the
race.
Mr.. Forkner will be a new figure in State
politics, should he decide to hearken to his
friends in Madison county and become a
candidate for Governor. Indeed, he has not
until recently been conspicuous In the local
politics of his city and county, although
many years ago, when county offices were
especially desirable. he enjoyed a term as
auditor. He has long been one of the tried
and trusted Democrats of his community,
and in a quiet way has done some little
work for his party, but he has never
aspired to leadership. and had not been a
candidate again until he was brought into
the mayoralty race last year. He did not
really seek the nomination for mayor, 1T is
said, and 1t was only at the earnest solicita-
~ IA AAo AACANoS Nia~ hO
night before the city convention to permit
his name to be used. He was nominated
virtually without a struggle. The wisdom
Of the party leaders who brought him into
the race was shown in the result of the
election, as he was the only one on the
Democratic ticket elected, except members
of the City Council In the Democratic wards.
Anderson is normally Republican by a good
plurality, but Mr.. FORMERS personal popu-
larity and standing, together with certain
unusual municipal conditions. combined to
make him a winner.
When the Journals correspondent at
Anderson asked Mr.. Forkner for an ex-
preston concerning his candidacy he re-
piled: well, you can say that I am not a
candidate. but Of course / appreciate that
it is an honor to be placed at the head of
the Democratic State ticket. j can't help
what my friends do in this matter, very
well. 1 don't know whether 1 want to run
or not, for it might be but leading a losing
fight; am really not an aspirant or a
would rather live and die here and be
carried over yonder to M~aplewood Cemetery
and have the folks of Anderson say. Well.
he was a pretty good fellow and tried TO
do his best than to have any political
office in the State or country"
Dale j. Crittenberger, editor of the Ander-
son News. the Democratic organ of Madison
county, is pushing Mr.. Forkner as a candi-
date in every possible manner. apd he is
very much in earnest. although the mayor
says he thinks ~Crittenberger Is just having
a little fun.
1t is generally conceded that the Demo-
Gratis might look longer and find a worse
candidate. for Mr.. Forkner possesses many
elements of strength. He has not dabbled
political enemies, his race for mayor shows
that he can command support outside his
party, he is a 'new broom" and they are
often considered desirable in campaigns,
and, last, but by no means least, he has a
"barl." The sinews of war are usually con-
sidered desirable, and Mr.. Forkner is said
to be well supplied. He Is a banker and is
Interested in half a dozen manufacturing
enterprises, and is regarded as one of the
wealthy men of his city.
Civic pride, by the way. Is one of Mayor
FORMERS hobbies, and 1T might with reason
be termed his passion. He regards Ander-
son as the best city of its size in the coun-
try, and there's a saying among the people
of the town that IF there is anything about
Anderson. past or present, that Jack Fork
ner doesn't know, it isn't worth knowing
For years he has made it a point to keep
a daily record of all the events OF i'm
portance that occur in Anderson, or with
which Anderson Is in any way connected.
and once each year he furnishes the news
papers with a chronological survey of the
past twelve months. During the recent G
A. r. ~Encampment there the mayor de-
livered a welcome address to the veterans
that showed conclusively that he regards
Anderson as mo mean CITY,"
XXX
James w. Fortune, of Jeffersonville. who
has represented Clarke, Jennings and Scott
counties in the State Senate during the last
two sessions of the Legislature, is also fire.
quently mentioned as a possible Demo-
cratic candidate for Governor. He was in
the city yesterday to deliver an address at
the Elks' memorial service for the late
Frank e. Burke, but he was averse to dis
cussing politics and evaded questions as To
his intentions in regard to the governorship
His friends say, however, that he does not
look with utter disfavor on the use of his
name In this connection, and when the time
rolls around he may go before the state
convention seeking the nomination. The
only thing that deters him, 1T is believed.
Is that he feels that he cannot AFFORD to go
into a losing fight-and Democrats, as a
rule. are not optimistic of success in the
next state campaign. Mr.. Fortune is a
young man, a lawyer at the stage OF his
career when he is not ready to sacrifice his
profession for politics, and he feels that he
can well afford to wait a few years before
going after the plums that hang only on
In the Senate Mr.. Fortune made a good
record. He was recognized as the minor
ity floor leader and received the compli-
mentary vote Of that side for president pre-
tenn. Active in debate, an aggressive
fighter and well versed in parlia mentary
lore, he marshaled the Democratic forces
we'll in the face OF an overwhelming ma
jority, playing the game of politics when
ever that could be made the semblance OF
an issue, and frequently engaging In tilts
with President Gilbert, from which he
emerged with credit, IL not exactly covered
with glory, for he was pitted against one
of the most sl1illful parliamentarians who
has ever graceo The presiding officers chair
In that body.
j. A. M. Adair, another prominent
Democratic member of the last Gem
eral Assembly. was at the Grand
last evening. Mr.. Adair represented
Jay county in the House and was
the minority caucus chairman. He was
there to be heard, not seen, and about the
second time he addressed the chair Speaker
Marshall recognized him as 1.-The gentleman
from Jay with mild sarcastic emphasis
that gave the title more than geographical
significance. Thereafter the appellatior
stuck to him as a joke. but Mr.. Adair took
chatting that came his way, giving a gooC
account of himself in return. The title at
tracted such attention that George w
Louttit, of Fort Wayne, who represented
Allen county in the House in 1901. was
moved to write a novel which he has called
1.-The Gentleman from Jay"
Mr.. Adai is one Of the Democrats whC
are not inclined to believe that Mayor