The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-11
THE DRIFT OF POLITICS.

Republicans from the Ninth district were
in the city yesterday in force, and there
was a meeting at the Columbia Club last
evening TO which some significance might
have been attached had there not been
good and sufficient evidence that it was not
prearranged Fred A. Sims, of Frank
fort, district committeeman; E. H. Nebe-
ker, OF Covington, former member of the
State committee; Judge A. b. Anderson,
formerly OF Charlottesville, and who still
retains his residence there although his
duties keep him in this city, and Henry H
Thomas, of Frankfort, former State rep
resentative from Clinton and Upton coun-
ties were those who met at the club, but
there were others in the city. Naturally
Ninth district affairs formed the burden
of conversation at the informal conference
but no candidates were nominated, no plots
were laid land no action was taken, although
there was general agreement that the
district is in excellent condition from a
Republican standpoint.
Mr.. Sims has not yet determined wheth-
er he will be candidate to succeed him
self as district chairman. There have been
conflicting reports as to his intention in
this regard. and he asked last night
to set the matter straight, but he said he
was not ready to make a definite state
ment at this time. However. it is be-
lieved he will decide to be a candidate, as
it is known that the active party workers
of the district are for him If he will con-
sent to stand for reelection.
Mr.. Sims does not believe Representa-
tive c. b. Lands, of Delphi, will have
any opposition for denomination. II don't
believe there will be a candidate against
talk of two or three men making the race
but / am inclined to think it is all talk
and that when the convention comes
around Landis> will be renominated without
fight.
Mr.. Thomas agrees with Mr.. Sims in the
belief that Lands will have a clear field.
1.-THE only man in the district who, in my
opinion. could rally any serious opposition
to Lands is c. c. Shirley, of Kokomo."
said Mr.. Thomas, land 1 understand he has
declared fatty he will not be a candidate.
Shirley is an able man and he stands we'll
all over the district. believe. 1 am sure
at least. that he is popular I'm Clinton and
Upton counties. There is some talk of
Baldwin. of Noblesville. as a candidate
against Lands. but / don't believe he will
get into the race. or If he does he will find
that Lands has too strong a hold on the
district for him TO get the nomination"
tn MT 1h of h oy the way enjoys the dis
ever carried Upton county and he has
turned the trick twice. a few years ago he
was resident of Upton county. and in 1886
was elected county clerk by a plurality of
80. The county was more strongly Demo-
cratic then than IL is now. In 1900 as the
candidate for representative from Clinton
and Upton. he duplicated his record by
carrying the latter county by 80 votes a
narrow margin, IL is true, but sufficient evil
dence Of his strength to have brought him
the denomination without opposition last
year IL he would have accepted il, but he
decided that one term in the Legislature
was enough j H. Fear. OF Upton. who
was formerly Mr.. Thomas's partner in a
business enterprise, was nominated and
elected Mr.. Fear will not seek to return
10 the House. IL Is understood, and Mr.
Thomas Is spoken of for another term as
his successor, but he says he has not given
the question any thought.
Mr.. Thomas Is a man singularly blessed
OF fortune. and his friends point to him as