The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-20
THE DRIFT OF POLITICS.

Ostensibly to attend the Scottish Rite
convocation and one or two other meetings.
politicians from all over the State have
gathered here in large numbers this week
Many or them, 1t is true are here primarily
for the convocation. with the idea of look
ing after politics a little on the side but
some OF them came to the city 10 kill two
birds with one stone, and the political
terested. The hotel and club Hobbies have
been the scene of numerous conferences
between county, district and state leaders,
and there have been not few meetings
behind closed doors. The latter We're the
conferences OF significance, for they are
the kind at which deep schemes are laid
and things framed up" that may not be
worked cat for months. Both Republicans
and Democrats have been getting together
in this way, but more interest is taken in
the doings of the former, as Indiana DEM
ocrats have nothing on at present to at
tract unusual attention.
The Republicans of the Eleventh district
have been unusually we'll represented here
during the week and last evening we'll
known party workers from every county
in the district were in evidence. The situa-
ton in the Eleventh has become so acute
that scores of Republicans up there are
said to sleep with one eye and one ear open
ITdnSDlTe
will not be in touch with. so when some
one stayted report that there was meet
ing of district Importance at the Deni-
son a general stampede for that hotel fol-
lowed. The lobby was soon filled with
men, outwardly calm and indifferent but
inwardly consumed with curiosity, and
tense whispers of Whats up?" Where is
it?"' and who's here?" passer around
with telegraphic rapidity.
G.. A. II. Shideler, of Marion who has
been regarded as a probable candidate for
Governor or for lieutenant governor, and
Elan Neal of Jonesboro, who. il is said,
will make the race for district chairman
against Adam Beck, of Huntington, were
supposed 10 be at the hotel, although not
about the lobby. ard 1t was understood that
they were holding conferences with district
leaders that would have an important bear
ing on Meals probable candidacy and on
the question as TO whether Shideler should
make the race for Governor or for lieuten-
ant governor. Carey G. Cowgirl, OF Wa
bash, was in evidence: Harry G. Petit, of
Wabash and Indianapolis. was not thou
sand miles away. several close friends of
Adam Beck were there. and IL needed but
the presence of Major George w. Steele, of
Marion. and Representative Fred Lands,
of Logansport, TO make the scene second
only in interest and import TO district
convention.
Affairs of the Thirteenth district also
received some little attention last night,
although the representation from the ex-
treme northern part of the State was not
so large Vernon w. Van Fleet, of Elk
hart who s>ands close TO Walter Brown,
the present district chairman and candi-
date for reelection. was here and during
the evening held conferences with Joseph
B. Healing and State Chairman Goodrich.
Attorney General c. w. Miller. OF Goshen,
who has made no secret OF his opposition
TO Browns candidacy for district chair
man. was also around" and he, too, had
a talk with Chairman Goodrich and with
several others.
Mr.. Van Fleet, who has been a member
of the House from Elkhart county for two
terms, and Is now a candidate for the