The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-28
HARRY B. Smith ELECTED
CHAIRMAN AND CONTEST
ENDS IN PARTY HARMONY
Amid Scenes of Confusion, Robert
Metzger Makes Signal Sacrifice
and Insures Unity.
HONOR SHOWN BOTH MEN
Sheriff Made Vice Chairman of
Republican Committee After
Moving Unanimous Action.
BOOM FOR SHRIEVALTY
Friends of Party Leader and His
Opponent Plan Continued
Honors as Reward.
HONOR SHOWN BOTH ME-
BOOM FOR SHRIEVALT7

Colonel Harry B. Smith is the new chair
man Of the Republican county central COM
mittee. Robert Metzger is the new vice
chairman. Bert Johnson the new secretary,
and Frank d. Stalnaker the new treasurer.
Republican candidates for county offices at
the fall election will be selected by a dele
gate convention, TO be held at a date yet
TO be selected.
Such in brief was the result Of a three
hours session of the newly elected county
committee yesterday afternoon in the Grim
inal Court room. Strangely enough, after
as lively preliminary skirmish as has
been seen In Marion county in many years,
every action taken by the committee was
taken with virtual unanimity and the con-
vention resolved itself into Republican
love feast
This was due largely to TIE action of
Robert Metzger. one of the candidates for
chairman, who inundated himself upon the
altar of his party. laying aside his per-
sonaI ambitions that absolutely harmony
might prevail within the Republican ranks
in this county.
At the close Of the first ballot for chair
mar, when there was a dispute between
teIIers representing the respective candi-
dates as TO the total votes, while the con-
vention was in an uproar that could not be
stiIIed and while there was In prospect
an endless wrangle that might engender
the most bitter feelings and a factional
division in the party, Mr.. Metzser strus-
gled through the crowd to the front OF the
hail. clambered upon a table and shouted
a motion that his opponent, Mr.. Smith,
be elected by acciamation-
Gentlemen of the committee" he said
md all 10
time and rather than take chance of los
ing the county to the Republican ticket this
fall / ask that you elect Mr.. Smith your
chairman by acclamation-
GENEROUS RIVAL CHEERED.
The unexpected denouement of the tense
situation stilled the crowd for an instant
and then pandemonium of cheers reigned
for several nainutesHcheers that were meant
as a tribute TO both Mr.. Smith. the new
chairman, and to Mr.. Metzger. his generous
rival. AS soon as he could be heard. Will
Lam Bosss.n made a motion that Mr.. Smith
be elected by acclamation in accordance
with Mr.. Mstzger's wishes. In seconding
that motion Horace Z. Smith, tbs brother
of the new chairman, said:
II have worked In politics for several
years and / have gone through many fights,
but 1 want to say to you. gentlemen of the
committee. that / have never seen an act
of self-sacrifce that equaled the generous
action of Mr.. Metzger. 1 cannot find words
TO express my emotions az this moment. /
nave fought this fight to the best of my
ability for my own blood and for what /
believe to be the good of the party. but now
i want to forget everything else and pay
tribute to Mr. Metzger."
The motion was put and carried with
shout and then the new chairman was
called to assume the gavel by the retiring
chairman. c. n. Elliott Mr.. Smith
cheered to the echo. his loyal supporters
being in veritable frenzy of JOY over the
winning of the contest.
IN accepting the honor you have con-
ferred upon me and in thanking you for it,
said Chairman Smith, II wish. first of all.
TO express my deepest thanks to Robert
Metzger and to say that. although this
fight has been a vigorous one. Mr. Metzger
has treated me with every consideration.
He brought no personalities into the con-
test, we agreed at the outset, and
know that l have never said an unkind
word of him 1 thank you and pledge you
that it shall be my earnest effort, as your
chairman to do all that can be done for
the good of the Republican party"
MEIZGEk VICE CHAIRMAN.
AS a further tribute to Mr.. Metzger a
motion was put and carried with hurrah
that he be elected vice chairman of the
committee by acclamation, and then he was
called to the front for a speech He was
cheered again and again as he mounted
the table and in few words thanked the
committee for the honor.
This contest has left no bitternesses''
l. h.
but that the best of feeling prevails all
around and that we're all ready to take
up the fight for the Republican party with
redoubled enthusiasm. pledge you that
shall give your chairman and the COM
mittee my hearty support and that 1 stand
ready at all times to do anything within
my power for the common good"
Nominations for secretary were called
for and Bert Johnson and w. r. Reagan
were named. y roll call was ordered and
had progressed through four wards when
Mr.. Reagan asked that his name be with
drawn and Mr.. JohRsons election be taken
by acclamation.
This was done with vim and then Mr..
johnson was called upon for a speech. in
which he briefly thanked the committee for
the honor accorded him. To round out the
demonstration of thorough harmony, Frank
d Stalnaker was then elected treasurer by
exclamation.
The motion that the county ticket be
selected by delegate convention prevailed
with little opposition, although there was
manifest deeae OF a few committeeman
~ nominations be made by direct pri-
mary. Chairman Smith was authorized to
. MI all vacancies that might exist i'm the
committee, a vote OF thanks was rendered
the retiring committee and its officers and
then adjournment was taken. The meeting
Was resolved into an informal reception for
the newly-electeG officers in which congrat +
ula.ions and good wishes were exchanSed
The committee was called 10 order by
Chairman Elliott at 2.l5 o'clock. The court
room filled TO OVERLOOKING as an ex.f-
dcnce OF the intense interest in the CON
test for the craftsmanship and IL was with
some difficulty that order was secured
The roll OF committeeman called and
the chairman announced that he would
appoint William Bosom. Charles AIcon
and Taylor W. Groninger as a committee
on rules and resolutions. Secretary Neg
, ley read the report OF the board OF primary
election commissioners on the contest cases
the decisions OF which were published In
CONTINUED ON PAGE Q. COL. u