The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-05
DEMOCRATIC EDITORS ARE
OPPOSED TO BRYAN AND
AGAINST REAFFIRAAIION
Speech OF s. NJ. Ralston, Express
ing These Views, Roundly
Applauded.
O'BRIEN ALSO IN LINE
He Says Miss Democracy Wants
No Millinery of the Vintage
OF 1896 or 1000.
METSKER'S CAMPAIGN CRY
Would Eliminate Both Bryan and
Observation-Disclosures Gray
Boom Falls Flat.
METSKER'S CAMPAIGN CRY

ic sense of that term, but l am not in favor
of the reafirmation of the Kansas City
platform"
This declaration by Samuel NJ Ralston,
Of Lebanon, former Democratic candidate
for secretary of state and one Of the rec
ognized leaders of Indiana Democracy,
made last night in the course Of an impas-
stoned address at the banquet of the In
diana Democratic editors. was applauded
TO the echo and then applauded again. 1t
was manifest that Mr.. Ralston had struck
the keynote of the sentiment of the men
who edit the Democratic organs throughout
the State.
When, a few minutes later State Chair
man w. II. OBrien indorsed this sentiment
clearly and unmistakably, although his in
dorsement was couched I'm fgurative terms.
the enthusiasm grew almost unbOunded.
Chairman O'Brien said:
'At this time 1 think we can learn some
thing from the wOmen-the intuitiOns, Opin-
ions and judgment OF women are almost al
ways good. When a woman goes into a
millinery store she does not buy hat OF
the ''intage Of four or eight years ago.
think the application Is obvious.
CAMPAIGN CRY.
Mr.. RaIstons address, which was not on
the programme, followed hard on the heels
of a carefully-prepared speech by Clay w.
Metsker of Plymouth, who had been desig-
mated t. sound the campaign cry of the edi-
tors. Mr.. Metsker took the position that
the masses OF the Democratic party, the
men who poll the votes and who make the
party leaders. have grown weary of the
rogance of a few of these leaders who have
taken unto themselves the settlement of all
questions relating TO candidates and party
policies
Mr.. Metsker proceeded. without men
n q
Bryan a thorough dressing down." and
toward the close of his speech stated bold
ly that Cleveland who had been thrice
honored by his party, and Bryan. who had
been similarly hOnored twice, should now
retire and wait until the party had said its
say as to Issues and candidates Then, II
they could not agree with the wisdom of
the party they should retire still farther
into the background and maintain an alb
solute silence, and not attempt to wreck
the party because they could not rule 1t.
Mr. Metsker was given the closest atten-
course of his address ne perpetrated
firmly yelled boom for SenatOr German for.
the presidential nomination, which was well
Mayor John w. Hoffman, of this city
who was a guest at the banquet. was called
the elimination of Cleveland and Bryan,
but he went n step farther than any of the
other speakers and urged Gray, CT Della
ware, as the kind of a man to lead the DEM
ocratic hosts this year. The Gray boom
not well received, the editors doubt
less recalling that the local afternoon paper,
which does Mayor HoltzmanS thinking for
him, had declared for Gray for the Demo-
cratic presidential nomination some
days ago. Mayor Holtzman spoke of
the notable Democratic victory in
this city last fall and said that
IL gave evidence that the people are
ready and anxious 10 turn TO Democracy
If Democracy puts up the right kind Of
candidates the right kind of platforms.
He said that the Democratic city platform
had pledged reforms which were being car
would carried long
the present administration continued.
other speeches made at the banquet were
by G.. w. Thomas. of Corydon, "A Little
Nearer Heaven" Mrs. A. d. Moffett, of
Elwood. Democracy. the American Ideal;"
Young Democracy" Frank ID. Maim-
baugh. Muncie: Thomas Taggart, Indian
apolis; j. A. Mckinley, Lafayette.
TAGGART'S NAME APPLAUDED.
Thomas Taggart was given evidence that
he stands high in the regard of the Demo-
cratic editors when Mr.. Ralston spoke of
him as the man to lead the party TO vic
tory this fall as the chairman of the Dem
ocratic national committee. The applause
was so long and so enthusiastic that Mr.
Taggart, who sat near the door. found an
excuse TO step outside for a few minutes to
conceal his embarrassment.
Little was accomplished at the business
session I'm the afternoon beyond the election
of officers. In the resolutions adopted no
allusion was made TO political affairs CON
trary to general expectation, and the reso-
lutions consisted solely of memorials TO the
late s. T.. Morss, OF this city, and the late
John Gilbert Shanklin of Evansville Some
OF the members of the association wished to
go on record as favoring Senator German
for President, others wished resolutions
adopted reading Bryan out Of the party,
while others were for taking even more
radical action toward the PRONUNCIATION of
the reorganization of Democracy. but
Henry A. Barnhardt. OF Rochester, who was
chairman OF the committee on resolutions,
defeated the plans of the extremists OF all
factions. He served notice that the only
resolution OF a political nature TO which he
would consent would be one, both short
and sweet. 20 the effect:
Whereas. y national campaign is now
at hand, and there is a slight hope for
Democratic success IL we are all good;
Resolved. That the Democratic editors
of Indiana. I'm convention assembled, de-
clare II the sense OF their organization that
al Democrats should be good during the
coming campaign. and pledge that they
themselves Will be good and support the
nominee and platform OF the St Louis con-
AFRAID TO ACT.
The other members of the committee on
resolutions promptly decided that IL would
be out Of place for the association to adopt
any political resolutions. and so none was
Incorporated in the report of the committee.
The resolutions spoke in the highest terms
of Mr.. Morss and Mr.. Shanklln. and were
adopted unanimously by rising vote
Officers for the ensuing year were elected
as follows.
President-A. ]. Dipboye. Columbus.
flrst Vice President-Lew q. Elltngham.
Decatur.
Second Vice President-E. Z. Cox. Hart
ford city.
secretary-W. s. Chambers. New Castle
Treasurer-A. ID. Moffett ElwoOd.
Albert Iozier, of Portland ore n past
president OF the NationaI Democratic Edi-
torial Association, was n visitor at the
afternoon meeting and made brief address.
In which ne spoke OF the prospects for
Democratic success In this campaign and
urged that Democratic editors throughout
the country should unhesitatingly and
earnestly support the ST. Louis nominee and
platform. Ills remarks We're loudly chccred.
EDITORS PRESENT.
Among those here FOR the meeting we're
President B. +. Mckee. Lebanon pioneer:
W II fucker' Lawrenceburg Register; b.
+. Louthain, Logansport Pharos: ]. + Nc
Donald Ligonier Banner: c. W. Thomas
Coryd,n Democrat: IL. A. Barnhart
CONTINUED on PACE 2. COL. p