The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-12

WHAT THE RIVALS CLAIM
Against the Neal forces claim they will
get l3 votes from Miami county. sure. in
stead of 121s; that they are entitled to and
will get at least one-haf OF one OF the votes
from Biack.ord that the Beck people are
claiming, and that there are votes In
Wabash and / in Miami of those claimed
by their opponents that are in doubt. Out
of these doubtful votes they expect to
get at least l. which. with Is from Miami
and 31k from Blackford, will give them a
majority OF 2, the same that is claimed by
the Beck forces.
On the face of these diverse claims il is
readily apparent that there will be two or
t. ee contests for seats. and perhaps half a
dozen, in the convention tomorrow. and
that there will be work for the credentials
committee. This unquestionably gives the
Beck people an advantage. for they will
control the organization of the convention.
and the credentials committee will be their
committee. 1t is the history OF conventions
from time immemorial that in crucial situ-
ations such as this, the element In control
of the credentials committee uses its power.
1t is not a question of right so much IL
is a question Of winning, and, as matter
of fact in most contests OF the kind IL Is
case of six of one and half dozen OF the
other as 10 which side has the prepOnoer-
The Neal people freely admit that their
opponents have the advantage, but they
claim that Mr. Beck and his friends viii
not dare use their power because IL would
have a reactionary effect upon Mr.. Ian
diss chances in the congressional fight.
The Beck people say they will win without
recourse TO the convention machinery, but
they intimate that N the other side brings
any contests they can contest three dele
gates to one contested by the others.
After a careful investigation and basing
my opinion upon the statements of the
more conservative leaders OF both sides,
| am inclined TO believe that Mr.. Beck VIII
be reelected district chairman. This will
be the result unless the Neal forces are
able TO capture at least two OF the dele
gates who are now regarded as Beck men
and can keep their success in this respect
secret till the roll IS called for the vote
after the candidates have been placed In
nomination.
WORKING LIKE BEAVERS.
The leaders of both sides are working like
beavers tonight. each seeking to make in
roads upon the others strength What will
come of these efforts, is solely matter for
speculation. out it Is certain that the fight
in the primaries in the various counties was
so sharp that there will be few weakened
brothers among the delegates. The Grant
county forces descended on Peru this aft
ernoon with a solid Neal halanx. number
ing sixty or seventy-five men. and they say
they will be reinforced by as many more
of their people who will arrive on a special
morning train. tomorrow. II this were a
game OF football in which vigorous organ
lied roofing sometimes counts for as much
as the strength OF the team. the Neal people
would ask odds OF no one. for they are Ger
tainly prepared 70 root. Conspicuous In
their crowd are: Major George W. steele.
G.. A II. Shideler. Senator G. G. Lyons, SEN
ator s L. Stricler. a. G. Alexander, Doctor
c. D. Kimball. Doctor NJ. NJ Wall. Grant
Dentler Gus Condo. g. w. Halderman, A.
r. Steele. r. II. Ferree. p B. Manly. Pearl
Bogue, Harry Goldthwaite, Or. A. A. Ham,
flton and J. Wood Wilson
Mr. Beck has many friends rallylng about
him here tonight but the greater part OF
his strength will not be in evidence until
tomorrow. Among the leaders with him
now are Representative Frederick lands. OF
Logansport; {. +. Cowgirl. w III. Freeman
and Lincoln Gwyn Wabash: Doctor G.. H.
Good and Albert Coles, OF Warren. John
NJ Johnson. Henry McGill and Senator j.
c. Powell Logansport: John s Glenn.
Huntington, and Senator J. c. Gochenour.
North Manchester.
were in evidence this evening OF the Miami
county leaders who are taking an active
hand in the aght John F. Lawrence, Giles
". smith. A b J.. BodGrtha. , Frank Va
DR. Jared SpOOner are arrayed with the
Neal cohorts while John Jack. J. A. Adams.
Louis Baker. John Iaost and James +.
Stutesman are looking after the Beck
forces here
TO BE CALLED AT II a. NJ
The convention will be opened in webb's
Opera House at IL O'Clock this forenoon.
District Chairman Beck will call the as
semblage TO order and present Warren G.
Sayre. the veteran politician and legislator
OF Wabash as the temporary chairman.
Committees on organization and rules. crs-