The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-08
THE DRIFT OF POLITICS

Three weeks from to-day the liveliest con-
gressional contest of the year in Indiana
will be settled at Peru With each day the
struggle between the Lands and Steele
forces grows warmer, and if the result
cannot be predicted reliably at this time
one thing at least is foregone conclusion
the attendance at the convention will be
larger and the interest in the fight will be
more intense than at any congressional
convention the Republicans of this State
have held in years. 4 large crowd at
tended the Wabash convention two years
ago and interest was at a fever heat there
but that affair was not a marker TO the
one the bill for Peru on March %. No
one anticipated the close and long-draWn-
out struggle at Wabash and the pre-con-
vention fight was comparatively tame This
year. however, the fight has been on for
months and in the curtain-raiser-the dis
trict craftsmanship contest-it WIS FOUND
that the cOntending forces were so evenly
matched that the issue might turn on the
fraction or vote. Consequently, every Ike
publican In the Eleventh district, ana many
outsiders we'll kelly interested and
would not miss the convention under any
circumstances. Hotel accommodations az
Peru for the 18th and 18th are already at
a premium and the crowd will assuredly be
a record-breaker.
Elan II. Neal, the Eleventh district
Republican chairman, who was in the city
yesterday, threw up his hands when asked
about the congressional situation.
~ don't know thing about it," he de-
clared, but 1 understand there is con-
test on. The rumors to that effect are num-
erous and reliable"
AS district chairman Mr.. Neal carefully
abstains from expressions of opinion as
TO the contest between Representative
Lands and Major Steele, and says he is
endeavoring TO conduct himself just as he
would if there were fight on. Naturally
his position is a trying one, for no matter
how carefully he steers for the middle OF
deviations. Indeed, the contest has become
such that it is virtually impossible for any
one to assume and maintain neutral posi-
ton. One map in the district who tried TINS
course.it was not Mr. Neal by the way
was Jumped on one day recently by a
friend of Major Steele and accused of work
ing in the interests of Mr.. Lands; within
assailed by q lands adherent and charged
with favoring Major Steele.
r :
The attitude of DR.. Charles II. Good.
of Warren. Huntington county, in the
congressional contest is one that is prov
ing source of concern to friends Of both
Representative Lands and Major Steele.
There is a well-defined rumor and gen.
eral impression that DR.. Good will be a
dark horse in the convention. 1t is said
that the Huntington county delegates TO
the Peru convention will be first of all
Good men, and that the doctor from War
rem will be in a position to step in the
moment IL is apparent that either Lands
or Steele cannot be nominated, and by a
combination with the routed forces snatch
N himself nOinted
out that IL either Lands or Steele should
find himself within a few votes of the nomi-
nation and unable TO secure the nomina-
ton for himself he might throw the prize
to DIR. Good and bring about the defeat OF
his opponent as a salve to his own feel
ings. Such situation is entirely possible
and such a result altogether plausible. As
a consequence the Lands people are whis-
pering about that Steele has already taken
steps to effect an alliance with Good that
will bring about Landis's defeat by one or
the other, while the Steele adherents are
limiting On the other hand that the porteH-
tious coalition has been effected by Lands
and Good.
Whatever the true inwardness of the sit
uation may be it is apparent that DIR.
Good is conducting himself for the present
with a degree of astuteneSS that entities
him to consideration as very much of a
factor in Eleventh district congressional af-
fairs. The doctor wants to go TO Congress
and there are indications that he will ulti-
mately attain his ambition. Whether that
six years hence is horse of another color
the doctor is now the dark horse.
But, as a matter of fact, the situation in
the Eleventh district is one that admits
of endless speculation. The strength of
the Lands and Steele forces at Peru and
the early Developments in the struggle may
be such as to bring about the nomination
of any one of six eight men. There is
an abundance OF congressional timber IN
the district and at the critical moment
Wabash, Miami, Huntington or Blackforo
HI a
who could muster the necessary sixty-one
votes and secure the nomination.
The call for the Republican state con
vention was not issued yesterday becaus,
State Chairman Goodrich was i'll at hi:
home in Winchester and unable to be here
| TO take the necessary steps. The call may
| be issued to-day.
Will r. Wood, Of Lafayette, the hold
| over senator from Tippecanoe county, wa
| at the English last night, en- route HON,
| from a trip down into Kentucky. TIppe
| canoe Republicans held lively convention
| Saturday and one of the Lafayette paper,
| in its account of the affair referred t
Senator Wood as one of the central figures
| who was taking an active hand in tn,
| proceedings. But the senator says he know
nothing of the convention beyond what h,
| has learned from the dispatches in tn,
| indianapolis papers
| AS have not been at home for over
week 1t Is scarcely probable that L wa
| present at the convention he said.
Senator Wood is an enthusiastic support
! er OF j. Frank Hanly in his gubernatoria
race, and he lost no opportunity last even
ing TO speak of the strength Mr.. Hanly 4
| showing in the southern part of the State
| Mr.. Hanly's candidacy is being we'll re
ceived down there" he said, land he will
| have Il good share of the delegates from
| that part of the State"
| In speaking of politics in Kentucky Sen
| ator Wood said he had heard little but tn
| Democratic end of the game while in tina
| State The Democrats there are stirred nj
| over the presidential question, and tn
senator says there is good foundation 70
| the reports that Hearst stands more thai
| an even chance OF securing the Kentuck-
| delegation TO the st. Louis convention.
| Hearst seems to have been making grea
| Roadway" said the senator, ''and
| wouldn't be at all surprised if he got ever
| delegate from Kentucky.
! by the way, he continued, 1.-THE Tay
| lor-Goebel affair is still a live issue in Ken
| lucky Of course, but l was impressed b
| the fact that all Kentucky Democrats ar
| not crying for Taylor's blood / talked Wit
| at least dozen conservative, fair-minde
| Democrats who said that Governor Noun
| and Governor Durbin had done exactI
| right in refusing TO permit the eXtraditio
| Of Taylor. They concede that such a thin
| as fair trial for Taylor, or any of tn
4 other men charged with completely in IN
| assassination of Goebel, would be an ute
| impossibility in Kentucky now or i'm m
near futnure, and that the trial of any Z
| POTTCH PEOPT J. IN