The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-18
THE DRIFT OF POLITICS

borne fruit in the announcement OF a
fourth candidate. who, 1t is claimed, will
be satisfactory TO all the interests involved
in the contest that has been waged between
Walter Brown. of Elkhart, the present
chairman; Frank w. Boss, of Plymouth,
and Rome C. Stephenson. of Rochester.
John L. Norman. of Knox. editor of the
Starke County Republican. is the new can
didate.
c. w. Riddick, editor of the winimac
Republican, took the initiative in the COM
promise movement. In his paper several
days ago he reviewed the situation sanely
and d~ispassionately, and pointed out that
the election of either of the candidates
at that time in the field would leave sore
spots over the district and result merely
in the districts taking a hand in the fac
tional differences among Republicans OF
Elkhart county. Mr.. Riddick suggested
that the best interests of the party called
for a compromise and the election OF a man
who would not stand as the representative
of either of the factions. but would be sat
Sfactory to all concerned, but he proposed
no candidate. In his issue of yesterday,
however. he again takes up the question
and says that the name of John L.. Moor
man will be presented TO the convention
next month. Mr.. Riddick says:
Because the Republican Craftsmanship
OINCS III tIlo OlStIlCl Ids DTONCH % NC
but the outcropping of a bitter fractional
fight in Elkhart county, which must not
be allowed to spread over the district; n
because-under the peculiar situation-a
defeat of either of the two candidates is
bound to create bitterness, If not discord,
that would stand in the way of the best
Republican interests of the district. and
Republican success; the Republicans of Pu-
laski and Starke counties, encourag ed by
Republicans from other counties in the dis
trict, have united on John L. Norman, of
Knox, as a compromise candidate, whom
they announce and will support for the
place of chairman.
John l.. Norman, editor of the Starke
County Republican, is one of the best
known Republican workers of the district,
an able and vigorous writer, an eloquent,
forceful and convincing speaker, just and
square, popular with all who know him,
and a recognized warm friend OF Messrs.
Brick, Brown, Miller, Goodrich, Stephenson
and Boss and other of the chiefs h
should be considered for the sake of per-
feet harmony. Mr.. Norman was secre-
tary of the last Republican district con-
~vention. and will make an excellent dis
trict chairman"
Mr.. Riddick again reviews the situation
at some length, setting out that the race
at present is really between Boss and
Stephenson, each representing one faction
in Elkhart county, and that no matter
which one is elected the friends of the other
will hold Representative A. L. Brick. of
South Bend, directly or indirectly RESPONSE
BILE, for If st. Joseph cOunty-Mr. Bricks
home county-gives all its vote TO Boss,
that candidate will win, but If it splits its
vote even, Stephenson will win.
This condition but adds to the logical
and urgent reasons offered by many Re-
publicans of the district for bringing out
a compromise candidate from Pulaski and
Starkc-far from the influences of the Elk
hart fight" continues Editor Riddick. RE
publicans of the Thirteenth district are
loyal admirers Of Congressman Brick, and
they do not desire TO place him in the awk-
ward position where he must decide which
of two contending Republicans shall be
made district chairman. Mr.. Brick, nor
Mr.. Bricks friends, desire that he should
use his influence for or against either Fix
mart faction, and Ii Is nothing else but
good politics to ignore these factional lines
and the candidates that represent either
faction: and TO select a good Republican
wholly outside the fight and who can work
with both sides. The loyal Republican
friends of Mr.. Brick over the district viii
be pleased to relieve him of even seeming
to have any part in the solution of the con-
tention.
And if any other reasons need be offered
the district why Pulaski and Starke coun-
ties should be honored with the selection of
their candidate, the reasons are easy TO
find. No two counties in the district have
made such large Republican gains in recent
years as these two counties, and none have
stood or now stand more Loyalty by Mr..
Brick or have made greater gains In votes
for him. No factional fights are disturbing
Starke and Pulaski, and both counties have
united as one on the candidate OF their
choice.
Candidates Stephenson, of Fulton, and
Boss, Of Plymouth, are both loyal Repub-
leans, and are both good friends of Con-
gresham Brick. Either would make a
splendid chairman, and both have warm
friends In Pulaski and Starke counties who
would be glad to support them were IL not
for their unfortunate ENHANCEMENT with
tho Elkharf 70 atianal fr0uhlp Rnt under
the circumstances, and for the sake OF
harmony and peace, and the best interests
Of the party, Starke and Pulaski, encour-
aged by leading Republicans from other
counties of the district, believe they are
on the right track. and they urge the sup
port of their compromise candidate.
"Starke and Pulaski have not been recog-
nized by the district with honors in the
| past. These counties form the southwest
| corner of the district, which surely de-
serves recognition from the northern part
of the district, where the congressman and
| the chairmen have long resided. and there
| is now opportunity for cool-headed Repub
leans to do al act of justice and at the
| same time find an easy way out of an en-
barrasing situation"
Speaking personally Of the compromise
plan, Mr.. Riddick said to the Journal: 'Our
plan is light, it is just. We are encouraged
by good Republicans from over the district
and have reasons to believe the matter
will be compromised and settled as we sug.
gest, as the situations have been settled
in other districts in the State where a con
fict seemed probable
Indianapolis Republicans who have beer
watching the Thirteenth district contest
| with interest learned yesterday Of the an
| nouncement of MIR. Moorman as a compro-
| mise candidate. Most of them expressed
approval OF the plan, although they recog'
niZed that there is now no occasion fol
Republicans outside the Thirteenth dippiRe
into the affair, and that it is purely a dis
trict matter to be worked out by the dis
trict.
I'm connection with the announcement
tina leading Democrats are booming DaI
w. Sims, of this city, for the guberna,
torial nomination, a strange coincidence
presents ITSELF" says the Journals La
fayette correspondent. y. Frank Hanly
who at present is one of the leading Re
publican a%spirants for the governorship
also lives in this city and in the same
block with Mr.. Sims. Their homes are Blu
two doors apart on Owen street, Highland
Park. Both are self-made men, prominen
lawyers and legislators, and they are warn
friends. In several lawsuits, one Of which
the Moses Fowler chase case, was o.
great Importance, they were colleagues. /
both should be nominated by their re
spective parties a unique situation woult
Develop"
A dispatch to the Journal from New Al