The Indianapolis journal., 1903-11-11
THE DRIFT OF POLITICS.

with the departure OF the nIteen memoeIs
of Congress from Indiana to Washington,
and the prospect that the contest over the
reorganization of the Republican State COM
mittee is to be happily and amicably ad-
justed. there will be considerable less ac-
tivity in politics In the State until the first
of the year at least. Candidates for nomi-
nations for State offices will continue to
bestir themselves, doubtless, but their en-
ergy will be expended largely in effecting
organizations, and they will not become ag-
gressive in their campaigning for two or
three months. All the members of the lower
branch of Congress are candidates for re-
nomination, but they have put in their va
cation in looking after their fences and
their heutenants will not push matters
now that they have returned to Wash
ington. Several of them are threatened with
opposition in the primaries and the prospec-
tive candidates will not waste any time, but
even they will not attempt to start an open
fight at this early date. AS to the district
organizations, these questions must be
worked out between now and the first week
In January, and in one or two districts II is
probable that there will be some vigorous
work done, but 1t can arouse little more
than local interest On the whole, politics
will be at low ebb in Indiana for several
weeks. There is never a time when there
is not something doing politically in the
Hoosier Commonwealth, but there are times
of comparative quiet, and this is one OF
them.
Many of the politicians and officials will
seek surcease from care and relaxation from
recent activities in hunting, now that the
open season for quail shooting is at hand,
and several of them took to the fields yes
terday. Governor Durbin, among others, de-
cided TO lay aside affairs of state and Joined
party arranged by Ernest ii. Trip for an
excursion into Randolph county, where they
are promised fine sport. The Governor Will
return this evening.
An interested observer of political affairs
points out that the friends of Senator Bev-
eridge should get together and find out just
where they stand and what they want in
order that the public may not become con-
fused. In illustration an editorial utterance
in one of the local papers that is very
friendly to the senator is cited as follows:
1T seems strange that any one should
get the idea that friends of Senator Bev-
eridge have been trying TO manipulate the
organization of the Republican state com
mittee in the sole interest of Senator Bev-
eridge. All this talk about Senator
Beveridge trying to control the organiza-
tion merely in his own behalf is the thinnest
of rot.
And I'm marked contrast with the above,
the following from an extended editorial
in the Richmond Item, edited by j. Ben
nett Gordon, one of the most active of
These gentlemen who are very solicitous
about contest running the party har-
mony are the very ones who by their silent
or open hostility to the senator made 1t
necessary for him, in sef-defense, to start
a fight for a State committee which would
be friendly to him. The safest way
l. Lot,
is to organize State committee of strict
ly Beyeridge men. II Senator Bev-
eridge is to have no opposition then what
harm wni 1t do TO permit him to organize
the State committee with his friends?"
xxx
Green goods specialists have a maxim to
the effect that there Is sucker born
every minute, and more or less diligent
study of political gossip leads to the con-
clusion that there is Democratic presi-
Dental boom born every minute. There Is
no especial relation or significance between
the two points, but it Is a coincidence that
the latest victim of Democratic presi-
| Dental boom is a Sucker, an Illinoisar
| born and bred-James Robert Williams
| who represents the Twenty-fourth district
| of that State in Congress. John p. Hop
| kins, chairman of the Democratic State
committee of Illinois, is said to be stand.
| ing sponsor for the Williams boom and
| Chicago papers are taking it up and push.
| ing it along Mr.. Williams has been q
leader in his party for several years and
\ was mentioned for the presidency In 1884
when Bryan was nominated. He was chair.
| man of the State delegation in 1900 anC
placed Adlai f. Stevenson in nomina Tor
| for Vice President. He is now entering
upon his sixth term in Congress and in hi:
| IaS IGN In he tbat
| entities him to unusual consideration. Ir
| the redistricting of the State Mr.. Williams's
district was arranged so that. in the be
lief of the Republican majority of the Leg
! islature, ii would be safely Republican bu
/ he went into the campaign undaunted ant
/ won out by the narrow margin of 252 votes
Indiana has slight claim on Mr.. Will
liams. for he is a graduate of the State
| University, at Bloomington. While there
he was classmate and fraternity brother
of former Attorney General William L
II is probable that there will be a lively
| fight for the Illinois delegation to tn,
! Democratic national convention, for with
| Mr.. Williams in the race there may b,
/ three candidates who will lay claim to tn,
| support OF that State. Carter Harrison
mayor of Chicago, is being urged
| candidate, while w. r. Hearst, whose hom,
is in New York. but who has large interest,
| in Chicago, is an avowed candidate and il
doubtless preparing to secure the Illinoi.
| votes.
Democratic State Chairman W. H
| O'Brien believes that Senator German, o
| Maryland, is growing rapidly as a Demo
cratic presidential possibility. While her
yesterday, Mr.. o. Brien discussed the recen
| elections and said:
THE success of the Democratic ticket II
! Maryland places Senator German in
| most commanding position in the Demo
| cratic party and there seems to be a stron,
| wave of sentiment in his favor. General,
| speaking, the results of the elections ar
| most encouraging TO Democrats. and ther
| Is existing in the party to-day feeling o
harmony and vigor that BODIES well for tn
| ticket next year. All indications point TO
most interesting national campaign.
| must be remembered that New York city
| Kentucky and Maryland. which went Dem
! ocratic this year. went against us in 1896
That alone Is a splendid tonic for II
preparing for the big fight"
Chairman OBrien says that the stat
| committee will hold a meeting here tn
first week In December and at this meeting
II ta1 hot Ia a