The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-15
THE DRIFT OF POLITICS.

"Oh, yes, I'm working very hard on nv
boom and after the State Tax Board adj
Journs L expect to do nothing else," said
Governor Durbin yesterday afternoon.
"Iheres just one thing tha bothers me
now-Im afraid 1 can't get Kentucky
IL was the first time the Governor has
had anything to say about the vice presi-
Dental boom which he is enjoying and, in
deed, 1t was with some misgivings that the
reporter preached the subject, for Mr.. Dur
pm is not given to talking about his polit-
lcaI aHalrs and he has at times an effective
way of squelching such temerity. But he
was in excellent humor, as is shown by
the mild sarcasm in his answer and his
humorous aiiusion to the probable attitude
ne Is the man for second place on the Re-
publican national ticket next year. Certain
ther admiration nor regard for the Gov
ernor since he refused to honor acquisitions
Tor the retun of fomer Governor W.. S. Tay-
Ior and former Secretary of State Charles
rdhiey, or That state, to be tried for COM
phclty in the Goebel affair. However
tnere are few II any Republicans in Ken
lucky VINO do not approve of the position
ne TOOK In the Taylor-FInley cases, and as
1t Is the Republicans who would decide
whether the Governor should get the dele
gatlon from that State I'm event his name
went DeIore the national convention as a
candidate for Vice President it seems that
ne should find no cause for worry as to the
propaple attitude of the Bluegrass State.
Kentucky Democrats would doubtless do
all in their power to defeat him for election,
along with the rest Of the Republican tick
et but they will do that no matter who is
the nominee, so their efforts would cause
no one concern.
while the Governor will not discuss the
question seriously and really is not giving
II serious thought, it is not difficult to see
ms poSltion. He is not a candidate for the
nomination and will not be q candidate.
custom has made the vice presidency an
honor That seeks the man and it has been
years since there was a contest for the
nomination. The DEVELOPMENTS of the next
eight or ten months may make the Gov
ernor the logical man for President Roose-
Republican national politics should SO de-
termine they will probably go to the Gov
ernor and ask that he permit his name to
be presented to the convention. If he con-
sents he will receive the nomination. No
one has ever declined this distinction.
President Roosevelt did not want the NOM
ination three years ago, but when it came
to him he accepted.
Many of the Governors friends believe
he Will be the nominee. The President has
SHOWN In a striking manner his opinion of
tne governor and newspapers In all Sec
tions of the country have mentioned the
Indiana executive as the man for the place.
In the meanwhile the Governor is pursuing
the even tenor Of his way. As he is human
1t is not reasonable to suggest that he is
unaware of the widespread publicity he is
receiving; or that he is not g@ratifed at she
- ~ IA HC IL UOl ScchlIS 10 make
political capital Of it.
Governor Durbin left last evening for
Charlesoix. Michigan, where he will spend
Sunday with Mrs. Durbin and his son.
Republican State Chairman James p.
Goodrich, Of Winchester, was in the city
yesterday and was at headquarters a few
hours. He had nothing to say on political
lines.
Charles E. Thompson, of Lafayette. one
of the Republican w~heelhorses in Tippe-
canoe county, was here a few hours yes
terday: Mr.. Thompson is Secretary OF
State Storms's law partner and he came
over TO see Mr.. Storms on a business mat
ter. but found that the secretary was
closeted with the Tax Board i'm executive
session and he was compelled to return
home without accomplishing the object of
his visit As chairman of the Republican
organization in his county Mr.. Thompson
Is In a position to know what Is going on
there politically, but he said yesterday
that there was nothing new.
The rumor has reached indianapolis that
a change in the personnel Of the Metropoli-