The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-23

County officers from all parts Of the State
will meet at the Denison Hotel this after
noon TO discuss plans for an organized de-
Tense of the law enacted by the last Legis-
lature extending the terms Of certain county
and judicial officers. Cyrus J. Clark, aud
itor OF Marion county. sent out the letters
calling to-days meeting, and the replies
he has received indicate a large attend
ance. There are about 200 officers in the
State that are affected by the law.
The question of the constitutionality of
the law was raised several months ago, and
the attorneys of both the Republican and
Democratic state committees advised the
organizations that it would not stand the
test of the courts. Proceeding on this ad-
vice, both state organizations notified the
county organizations to have nominations
for all offices made this year as usual. while
the Republican state committee took steps
to get the question into the courts. A test
suit was recently brought in Warren
county.
The county officers have engaged Hawkins
& Smith, Robert w. Mcbride and Merrill
Moores to look after their interests. and
purpose. in addition TO making vigorous
defense in the Warren county case, to in
stitute an offensive fight in Hendricks
county. County Auditor Clark yesterday
expressed confidence that the law will be
held constitutional by the Supreme Court.
1--WE have secured the opinions Of some
of the best lawyers in the State, and we
believe that final decision will show the
law TO be constitutional, he said. Some
of us think that the opposition OF the state
a "a
scheme to make contribute TO the cam
paign fund by taking the nominations again
and going through another campaign. we
don't propose to do this il we can help II
The object Of the law in question was not
TO give the officers affected longer tenure,
but to secure uniformity in the beginning
of the terms of all county and judicial OF
fees. Under the present law some OF the
terms begin the day after the election,
others the first of the year, and others al
various dates throughout the year. IL was
deemed advisable that the terms should all
begin the first of the year and the law was
drafted and enacted for that purpose. While
a few officers may receive slight Dement'S
from il one has taken the position that
the object of the law is not commendable
and desirable. The question raised is
whether the Legislature has the authority
TO extend or shorten the terms OF constltu-
tonal officers.
The Prohibitionists of Indiana are ex-
pecting great things of their state conven-
ton, which will be held April and in
Tomlinson Hall. Unusual efforts have been
made by the state organization to arouse
interest in the convention and Chairman c.
E. Newlin says he has assurances that the
efforts will bear fruit.
1--WE are ambitious this year." he said,
land we have shown our confidence in the
partys growth by arranging to hold our
convention in Tomlinson Hall. This will be
the first Prohibition state convention ever
held in that hall. The smaller halls OF
the city have always answered our pur-
poses heretofore. But this, year we have
found that instead of meeting with diff
Guilty In securing men 10 go as delegates 10
the state convention there have been con-
tests for positions on the delegations In
many counties. We will have LOSS dele
gates in the convention and with the alter
mates and visitors we feel that Tomlinson
Hall will be none too large. The fact that
the national convention is coming to this
city June 20 is helping US out with our
state convention.
The first session of the state convention
will be held at o'clock April 5. Chairman
Newlin will call the convention to order and
then a temporary chairman will be chosen
who will sound the campaign slogan. The
permanent organization will be Effected al
this session. In the afternoon the various
district caucuseS will be held and at most
Of these caucuses candidates for Congress
will be nominated and delegates TO the ma
and Thirteenth districts conventions have
already been held and congressional tickets
named, but the other districts will do this
work through their delegates to the state
convention. All the caucuses will be held
in the Statehouse, except that of the Sew
enth district, which will be I'm the Criminal
Court room at the courthouse.
w. G. Calderwood, of Minneapolis, Sec
rotary of the state committee of Minnesota
who is rated as one of the ablest speakers
in the party, will deliver an address ir
Tomlinson Hall on the night of April 5
convention will be transacted and tha
night ratification meeting will be held, a
which the candidates selected will be &C
corded q hearing and National Chairman
Oliver w. Stewart, Of Chicago, will de-
liver an address,.
dates for the places on the Prohibition state
ticket +. T. McWhirter, of this city, ha:
been mentioned as the possible nominee
for Governor, but it is understood that h
desires the vice presidential nomination anC
will not permit his friends to his nam'
nation. 1t is generally expected that the
| delegates to the national convention Will b'
| instructed for General Miles for president
| and for Mr.. McWhirter for Vice President
+
Positive statements that w. r. Hears
will start newspaper in Indianapolis wer'
made at Evansville yesterday by men wh'
| claim to speak with authority, according
| to the following dispatch from that city Il
| a local afternoon paper:
| ut is authoritatively announced in Dem
| ocratic circles, as one of the results of ex
tended conferences of First district Demo
| Gratis with Edgar l.. Names of Zionsville