The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-17
THE DRIFT OF POLITICS.

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The announcement that Grover Cleveland
has accepted an Invitation TO deliver
address at banquet of the Commercial
Club OF Chicago some time early in the
fall lends color to the persistent rumors
that the sage Of Buzzard's Roost has as
sumed the coy attitude of Barkis in regard
to the Democratic presidential nomination
next year. Heretofore the former President
has firmly declined all invitations to deliver
addresses that would necessitate his travel
ing any distance from his home in Prince
ton. An extraordinary occasion, such as the
dedication of the ST. Louis exposition, was
sufficient to induce him to depart from this
rule. but there is nothing about the Com
mercial Club banquet at Chicago that is of
such Importance as TO lead him to make a
second trip West within six months unless
1t be true that like the famous widow, he
Is beginning To take notice" again. Such
at least is the general opinion of local poll
ticians of both parties who commented yes
terday and last night on the announcement
from Chicago. The press dispatch telling or
the acceptance of the invitation says:
The only living ex-President is said to
nave inquired carefully into the status of
the Commercial Club, its personnel. its
standing before the people, and so on. He
was especially gratified by the assurance
that the clubs membership represented
what is the largest and strongest in the
commercial and industrial life of the Nation
west of the Allegheny mountains.
Mr.. Cleveland then inquired as to wheth-
er this, that and the other mentioning old
the Commercial Club. He especially
quested that certain ones among the nom
members thus inquired for be invited to the
dinner. That brought the political aspect
of the case. When he speaks in Chicago
before the Commercial Club he will have
chance to discuss the state of the country
at time when the presidential election of
1904 Will be demanding attention"
a well-known Indianapolis Republican.
who returned recently from an extended
trip through the East says there is no
doubt in his mind that Mr.. Cleveland is at
least a receptive candidate for the Demo-
cratic presidential nomination and that a
formidable movement has been started to
secure the prize for him.
The Cleveland boom has taken on as
tonishing proportions" he said land l was
very much surprised at the talk 1 heard.
Eastern Democrats representing all classes
seem to feel that Cleveland is the only man
who can lead the party to victory in the
coming campaign, and they are enthusiastic
for his nomination. They claim that he can
carry New York. Connecticut and possibly
one or two other Eastern States and the
solid South and that he would stand a
fair chance of carrying Indiana and Illinois.
If he can do this he can be elected, they
say. even In the face of bolt on the part
of the Bryan Democrats. The Bryan defec-
ton, they point out, would not amount to
anything except in Western States, which
the Democrats could not carry under any
circumstances, aud hence would not injure
Cleveland's chances Of election.
IF Cleveland Genes to Chicago to deliver
an address any time within the next three
or four months 1t may be taken for granted
that he will be candidate, or that at least
he is heading movement intended to con-
troll the next Democratic national conven-
ton. Later in the real campaign it may
ton to another man. presumably Judge
Parker, of New York. but the nominee
will be Cleveland or he and his following
will name the man."
That Cleveland or any other man from
his wing of the party could carry this State
next year is scarcely a remote possibility
in view of the split that is already appar-
ent in Indiana Democracy as a result Of
the organization of the Jefferson League.
The league is Bryan's machine and Bryan
has time and again, more recently at Green
field. declared uncompromising war on
Grover Cleveland and all of his stripe.
Bryan did not hesitate to use his influence
among the silver Democrats of the State
to defeat the Democratic ticket in Indiana
last year. and, OF course, would do the
there is a respectable Republican plural
ity of some 5000 that must be overcome
before any Democrat can carry Indiana
with his party in the most harmonious con-
dition.
w. H.. O'Brien, chairman Of the Demo-
cratic state committee, does not believe
there Is anything in the Cleveland move
ment.
81 do not think Cleveland wants the NOM
nation" he said last night at the Grand
and If he did doubt very much If he
could get 1t. The sentiment of the people of
this country Is against third term as
President for any man of any party: l adj
NIT that ii seems some significance is to be
attached to Cleveland'S acceptance of the
invitation to speak at Chicago this fall, If
the press dispatches are correct, but | am
inclined to think it means merely that he
coming campaign in the interests OF the
party and not for selfish reasons"
Mr.. O'Brien was asked who. in his opin-
ion, would have the most support in Indiana
for the Democratic presidential nomination
Il believe the sentiment of the majority of
the Dem 1te Of indiana tends toward
this time" he replied.
Senator Ethan A. Dausman, of Goshen
who is in the city on legal business. brings
with him some information that lends color
to the somewhat persistent rumors that
Governor Durbin contemplates being a can
didate for United States senator next year.
When the senator was asked If there was
anything new in political way in Elkhart
county he replied:
THE only thing of interest politically up
our way at present is the Beverage and
anti-Beyeridge talk. BY that l mean the
question Of opposition to Senator Beverage
next year. when he will be a candidate to
succeed himself Walter Brown. of Elk
hart. member of the Republican state COM
mittee from the Thirteenth district has told
his friends that Governor Durbin will be a
candidate against Beveridge. Brown is a
member of the Governors staff and stands
very close to him politically. so we take Ii
for granted that he knows what he is talk
ing about. More than that, Brown has in
dicated that he expects to deliver three
the Governor when the election OF senator
is on. In furtherance of this plan ii is I'M
derstood that Representative V. w. Van
Fleet will be a candidate for the State Sem
ate 10 succeed me, Z. E. Mummert will be
candidate to succeed himself as repre-
sentative. and a new man will be selected
to make the race for the other seat in the
House. That is the programme. according
TO my information. but / doubt very much
IL IL can be carried out. While am a very
warm admirer of Governor Durbin. and If IL
were a choice between him and another new
man for United States senator / would be
for him. l feel that as between him and
no reason for the retirement of Senator
Beverage. while there are many reasons
why he should be returned to the Senate.
He has had the advantage of one terms
experience, has served with credit to him
self and to the State and is entitled to the