The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-18
THE DRIFT OF POLITICS.

men in the Eleventh Observation-Disclosures
Lands, Of Lo~gansport. and G. A. H..
Shideler, Of Marion-would like to have a
little accurate inside information. was in
the city yesterday. but he was not In
clined to stand and deliver the aforesaid
Information. In the words of the ancient
but graphic idiom, he is saying nothing
and saving wood According to the major
himself this idiom should be changed
slightly to saying nothing and farming"
for he maintains that his only occupation
at this time is that of a tiller of the soil.
but farming does not admit Of the vari-
GUS interpretations that may be read into
Saving wood and there are many peo-
pie in the Eleventh district who believe
that the majors stunt as a farmer is nine
parts bluff to shield his real activity In
political lines.
When asked If he would be a candidate
for the nomination for Congress next
year Major Steele automatically answered
that his visit in Indianapolis was in con-
nection with a land deal-more farming"
And that was as near as he could be
drawn to an answer to the question. His
careful side-stepping is open to numerous
differences, the most generally accepted of
which is that he will be a candidate. is at
this time. and has been ever since the
Wabash Waterloo last year, but that he
will not assist the opposition by discuss
any announcements until the opportune
time comes, which will be some months
hence. His close friends do not hesitate
to affirm that he will be a candidate, al
thority. They point to his long and valu-
able service in the House, where he ranked
among the twelve or fifteen real leaders
district than any man Indiana has sent
to the lower branch of Congress for years,
and say he has excellent grounds upon
which to base his candidacy and that he
would be foolish to retire from the po-
ntical arena merely because he met one
defeat, due. not to his weakness, but to
the most remarkable combination or cir
gressional fight In the State.
The interest of Lands and Shideler in
Major steele's position is obvious; the
former naturally desires to succeed HIM
self In the House and the latter Is a can
didate for the Republican nomination for
Governor. Some of Shideler's friends fear
that Steele's candidacy against Lands, sue
cessful or unsuccessful, might result in the
loss of the support of at least part OF the
district for Shideler in the state conven-
nection between the congressional and
gubernatorial contests and that all the
counties will stand by Shideler as a matter
of district policy and because the time may
come when they will have a candidate for
State office and will want the district sup
port.
AS to the outcome of the three-sided COM
plication there is ample room for specula-
ton. A great deal may depend upon wheth-
er the district convention Is held before
the state convention. Major Steele now
controls all the political machinery of the
district. The federal oficeholders owe their
preferment to him, n these conditions, to-
gether with his recognized ability as an
astute politician, make him a formidable
factor in the fight for the seat in Congress.
On the other hand. Lands has but one ses-
sion in which to make q record. and the Of
fees are practically all filled, so he Will
nave no patronage to dispose Of before the
light for nomination comes up again. But
there is this in Landis's favor-the unwrit-
ten law that a representative should be
given the Endorsement of at least one re-
nomination. 1t is interesting to note that
in all the Eleventh district gossip. and there
is an abundance of 1t, the friends of Major
Steele have nothing but the kindliest words
for Mr.. Shideler and do not offer the slight
est objection to his candidacy for Governor
on the grounds that his race might prove
injurious to the majors interests.
xxx
Major Steele, by the way, returned a few
days since from West Point, where he went
as a member Of the board Of visitors to the
Nations great military school, and he will
leave next week for New York to attend a
meeting Of the board Of managers of the
national soldiers homes. On his way East
he will stop off in Pittsburg for a short
visit with Representative Dalzell. The ma
jor is deeply interested at present in the
work on the new Soldiers Home at Johnson
City, Tenn. and he said yesterday that
the new institution will be ready for the
opening early this fall. The surgeon of
the johnson City home will be an Indiana
man. DR.. j. Il. Powell. of Logansport, former
postmaster of that place.
j. Frank Hanly, Of Lafayette, was In the
| city yesterday and naturally the local poll
| ticians and newspaper men were interested
in securing an expression from him as to
his attitude on the g~ubernatorial PROPOSE.
ton. He was not inclined to play the
Sphinx exactly. but he did not solve the
riddle, for he said he really did not know
whether he would be a candidate for Gov
ernor. nor when he would be ready TO an
! nounce his decision. He Is In the position
| described as flirting with the bee," and
many politicians are taking IL for granted
test Ia many moons older.
Harry NJ. Smith, editor OF the Greencastle
Banner and one of the active Republicans
of the Fifth district. who was here last
night, says there is remarkably little po-
! litical activity in the district at present