The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-13
THE DRIFT OF POLITICS.

The publication in yesterdays Journal
of the utter indifference manifested by
local Democrats toward the visit of William
j. Bryan to the city, which had been widely
heralded for next week during the conven-
ton of the Modern Woodmen. had the
somewhat startling effect of bringing forth
be here, sundry and divers statements to
the contrary, Notwithstanding. Hiram
Brown. president of the Indiana Democrat
ie Club, gave out letter from Bryan in
which the Nebraskan says:
1.-THE report in regard to my attending
the Woodman convention is a mistake. L
have no plans calling me there at that
time. l shall speak at Lafayette, Ind, on
the ed and may speak at some other place
in Indiana about that time. l thank you
and shall be glad to meet the members of
the club if / should happen to be in Indian
apols over night during my trip through
Indiana"
The sigh of relief that went up when
Mr.. Browns revelation was made known
to the leaders of the party yesterday would
have made Shakspeare's furnace sound like
a Dutch oven. They all believed Bryan
was coming. His visit had been announced
in dispatches from Lincoln and extensively
advertised by the press committee of the
Woodmen, and the Democrats felt they
were up against it. They whispered among
themselves concerning the awkward situa-
ton, but there were no expressions of pleas
ure and no visible signs of a movement
commensurate with the Importance of the
occasion. Three years ago If there had been
m a h0f Dry 10Th no
to visit the Hoosier capital. he would have
been flooded with invitations and letters
beseeching him to come and do the local
Democracy honor in permitting 1t to honor
him. But that was three years ago and
things have changed. 1t is true Mr.. Brown
says the Indiana Club wrote to Mr.. Bryan
and told him the clubhouse would be
thrown open to him if he came but moth
ing is heard of any urging. and 1T was
very apparent there was none.
On the contrary, the very fact that a
was kept very quiet and the party leaders
withdrew into their shells when the merest
mention of the approaching event was made
in their presence. Chilly is but a mild word
when applied to their attitude, for they were
in fact so frosty as to have an appreciate
effect on the weather, attested by the hth-
erto unexplained fan in temperature during
the past fOrty-eight hours. A little sunshine
and real June weather may be expected
now that all cause for chilliness has been
removed.
dence that Mr.. Bryan had expected to
come to Indianapolis next week to attend
the Woodmen convention and make the
address nominating Mr. Talbot, of Nebras-
ka for head CONSUL But when it was found
that the announcement of his visit pro-
voked no enthusiasm among Indiana Demo-
ocrats, and that there was instead indica-
ton of a decided frost. 1t was found advis-
able to call off the visit. 1t will be noted
that in his letter Mr.. Bryan says, Il have
no plans calling me there at that time" and
no plans to be present at the convention.
1t is safe to draw the conclusion that he
will not happen TO be in Indianapolis over
night during the trip through Indiana.
There Is abundant assurances that j.
Frank Hanly, of Lafayette, has not de-
termined to become a candidate for the
Republican nomination for Governor, in
spite of the numerous reports to the effect
that he is already in the race. State Sen
ator Will r. Wood, of Lafayette, who is
Mr.. Hanly's law partner and knows about
as much concerning his plans as any other
one man, says Mr.. Hanly has made no
decision in the matter. Senator Wood was
in the city yesterday and when asked about
the conflicting rumors concerning Mr. Han
ly's political intentions. said:
Il can't say whether Mr. Hanly will be
a candidate for Governor. but l know he
himself has not decided the question as
yet He has not had time to give to the
consideration of a question of that kind
as he has been busy almost night and day
for weeks as an attorney in the Chase
case, which has just been finished at Fow-
Ter. He has received numerous letters from
friends in various parts of the State, urg-
ing him TO become a candidate and giving
him assurances OF support. Such evidences
of good will could not be ignored or hastily
disposed of~by any man, and / think Mr.
Hanly will go into the matter now that
he has little leisure. He Is not disposed
to leave his friends up in the air. so tC
speak, and / look for a definite announce
ment from him in the near future No,
would not want to venture an opinion as te
what his decision will be-"
Senator Woods's statement of his part.
ner's POSITION is altogether noncommittal
and it is open to the construction that Mr.
test. but it refutcs the alleged announce
ment that Mr.. Hanly had fully decided to bt
a candidate.
Talk about ingratitude," said Unior
Banner Hunt, of Winchester. yesterday
I'VE tried a criminal case in Randolph
county the other day and after we hat
cleared client and he came to pay oul
fee he told us ne wished he had pleaded
guilty and take term in the penitentiar,
instead. And l know the fee was a reason
able one" added the former secretary o.
state, because all the lawyers said it was
and they ought to know more about i
than man who merely hires lawyer once
| in a while"
| Mr.. Hunt told this story when he wa.
asked the usual question put to a mar
| who is regarded as a probable candidat,
| for State office You see he said, 81 hav,
other troubles to think about besides poll
| tics" But that didn't answer the question
assto whether he will be a gubernatoria
| candidate.
| Mr.. Hunt dropped in to see Governor Dur
bin during the afternoon and was closete,
| with him for some time. He was accused
| of seeking pointers to how an Eight
district man can make the best race 70
| the biggest office in the State-a subject oil
! which the Governor may be regarded as al
| authority-but he smilingly denied the i'm
/ parchment and said the conversation ha,
been on more interesting topic.
Representative James E. Watson, O
Rushville, was here yesterday on lega
business and had with him as his guests a
! the Columbia Club at lunch four of Rush
/ villes substantial citizens-Claude Cam
bern. a. l. Rigs, c. f. Edgerton and A
| l.. Stewart The party went out to TIL
| ball game at Washington Park with keel
anticipations of IN afternoons sport. bu
| the fiasco in which the game ended almos
| before IL was begun sent them home dis
| appointed.
when a man once commits himself II
writing or in print on a subject he cal
never be sure the documents will not turl
up on him at a time when he least expect
ii and least desires it,
This remark was made by Mick Fill
/