The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-15
THE DRIFT OF POLITICS.

The Journal is authorized to announce
that Elmer Leonard, of FIT. Wayne, will
be a candidate for reelection as member
of the Republican State committee from
the Twelfth district.
Some weeks ago Mr.. Leonard indicated
that he would prefer to retire from the
position at the head of the Twelfth dis
trict organization, but his friends refused
to accept this decision as final and by
their persuasion have finally induced him
to reconsider and he will be a candidate.
William Geake, of Fort Wayne, has an
nounced that he will be candidate for the
position Mr. Geake says he sees no reason
why there should be any antagonism be-
favorable to Fairbanks two years ago, he is
no less favorable to Beverage now.
Roscoe E. Kirkman, of Richmond, who
has represented Wayne county in the House
during the last two sessions of the State
Legislature, will, in all probability, be a
candidate for the vacancy in the State Sem
ate from that district created by the death
of Senator Starr Mr.. Kirkman was in
Indianapolis on business last evening and
when he was seen at the Columbia Club
indicated that he has senatorial aspira-
lions.
while / do not feel that it is fitting at
this time to make any announcement Of my
intentions on Tie senatorial question, it
is not improbable that L shall be can
didate." said Mr.. Kirkman. 1T is only
within the last two or three days that L
have given the matter any consideration,
but many of my friends have encouraged
me to believe that / can secure the nOnina-
ton and l may decide to seek Ii.
II had thought, at the adjournment of
the last session of the Legislature, that 1
would be out of politics for some time to
come. There were no senatorial prospects
slightest premonition that Senator Starr
would not live to serve out his term and
be reelected, but the senator's sudden
death has changed the situation. l con-
fess that would like to serve one term
in the Senate. My experience in the House
was altogether agreeable and l should like
nothing better than to round it out by two
session in the upper branch of the Legis-
lature.
.In the death of Senator Starr Richmond
and Wayne county have suffered loss
they will feel for many years. He rep
resented the best type of citizenship, pro-
gressive business man of unimpeachable
integrity, and he truly honored the people
by accepting the office to which he was
elected. Too few men of his caliber are
elected to public offices, and for this reason
especially does his death fall heavily on
our community"
Mr.. Kirkman was prominent and active
member Of the House during the two terms
he served in that body. Last winter be-
fore the organization of the General AS
sembly. he was a candidate for speaker,
but, along with Warren G. Sayre, Of Wa
bash, and Joseph Morgan, of indianapolis,
who were also candidates, withdrew at the
last minute to give Henry w Marshall. of
Lafayette, clear field Mr.. Kirkman
served as chairman of the railroad COM
mittee In both sessions and had other i'm
portant committee assignments as well that
gave MIN prominence and influence. He
was also chairman of the majority caucus
during the last session.
Mr.. Kirkman says there is little activ-
ity, politically, in Richmond and Wayne
county at present. Charles r. Unthank, of
that city, is understood to be campaign
ing actively for the Republican district
Craftsmanship, he says, but that fight is
not attracting as much attention now as
1t did some weeks ago.
Both the Indiana senator's have received
invitations from A. f. Dawson chairman
Of the speakers bureau of the Republican
state committee of Iowa, TO make several
speeches In that State this fall, and
neither will be able to accept. Senator
Beveridge wrote to Mr.. Dawson Yesterday
stating that he would be too busy to per-
NIT Of his accepting the invitation. Senator
Fairbanks Is out of the CITY, but 1t Is
known that practically all of his time is
| engaged up until the opening of Congress
| so 1t IS expected that he, too, will SEND
his regrets to the Iowans.
Senator Beverage also received an invita-.
ton yesterday from L. +. Adams, chair.
| man of the Missouri Republican committee
asking him to attend meeting of the ST
Louis Republican Club, to be held the lat.
| ter part of this month or early in October
| In his letter Mr.. Adams stated that the
| Republicans of Missouri are prepared &c
make the senator's visit the occasion of q
reunion of the party workers from all over
| the State.
Enos H. Nebeker, of Covington, for many
years one of the Republican wheelhorses OF
the Ninth district and of the State as well
was here yesterday, and he was asked his
| opinion of the reported opposition to Repre-
| sentative c. B. Lands. Mr.. Nebeker is re-
garded as one of Mr.. Landis's close poitica
| and personal friends, and it was doubles,
because of his close relations with the rep
resentative that he refused to discuss thu
subject.
legged opposition to Landis." he said. lex
| cept the gossip / have seen in the news
| papers. l have nothing to say on the sub
ject Wait few months until the discus
| sion is more timely
| XXX
| ". K Officer, well-known politician o
Madison, was at the English yesterday.
|
Francis T. Roots of Connersville, who wa
at the Claypooi last night. announced def
nitely that he had abandoned all thought o
opposing Representative James z. Watson
OF RushvilIe, for the Sixth district congress
sional nomination next year. He indicated
few weeks ago that he probably would no
| be a candidate. but now he is positive tina
| he will not.
| MY business affairs are in such shap
| that Ii is out OF the question for me to ente
| a political fight" he said. ITO beat Watson
| man would have to devote months to
| house to house canvass of the district, an,
| do not feel that L can afford 10 sacrific
| my business for politics at present. Som
| of these times / may be in shape to maxi
| the race. but not next year..
1t is understood that Mr.. Roots is slate'
| for position on the Indiana delegation Z
| the next Republican national convention
! and when he was asked If such is the cas-
| he replied:
| ..Sayaral Of no nrouinepf RanuhlfcapS n