The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-12
THE DRIFT OF POLITICS

Republican point of view the political
situation in JeffersonviIle and Clark coun-
~ is all that could be desired. for the Re-
publicans have laid aside all family dif-
ferences and have been harmonized as
never before, while the Democrats are be-
coming more deply involvd in fractional
quarrels every day and are rapidly ap-
preaching the state where they will cut
one another's threats, politically speaking
of course. with the most intense satisfac-
ton. Such situation augers well for big
Republican gains. and even for a partial
Republican victory, in this stronghold or
Democracy. and it is all the more encOurag-
ing that all the Republican leaders, and
the rank and file as well, are alive to
their opportunity and are preparing TO
make the most of IT, They believe that
they can elect part of the county ticket
and possibly the successor of Senator
James w. Fortune, from the district COM
posed OF Clark. Jennings and Scott coun-
ties. The Democrats, as might be ex
pected, pooh-pooh the suggestion that they
will incur any losses here and say their
position is impregnable no matter how
much they fight among themselves. but a
few Of them are beginning to view with
tional disturbances.
Clark county Republicans, it is frank
ly admitted, have known what it is to
have factional divisions within their ranks
and II is only within the last few weeks
that they have got together by locking
arms instead Of locking horns, to borrow
again Senator Fairbanks graphic figure.
When the reorganization of the county
committee came up last month there was
an incipient fight that BODIED i'll. but hap
PLY the differences have all been adjusted
and few days ago Horace Dunbar was
elected county chairman without OPPOSE
ton. When the reorganization was taken
! up a mass meeting was called by the re-
firing chairman, +. l.. Dorsey, and split
ensued. Theresare two sides to the story.
| or course, so perhaps it is best to give
| neither, but the result was the claim of one
| element, led by George Pfau, jr., George
| Holzbog, Omar Miller, J. r. Lancaster and
Grant Runyan that committee had been
| formed with the election OF Mr. Runyan
| as chairman, counted by the claim of the
| other element, headed by n. w. Myers, T..
l. Dorsey, Ward II. Watson and Horace
Dunbar. that another committee had been
| selected, with Mr.. Dunbar as chairman.
| The situation was submitted to the Re
publican State committee and State Chair
man Goodrich advised that all the pro-
ceedings had been illegal and that a new
| organization should be effected. In the
meanwhile wise counsels among the lead
| ers of both crowds prevailed here and when
| the advice of the State chairman was
acted upon no contest was put up for
| county chairman. Precinct committeeman
met and elected Mr.. Dunbar chairman by
/ reclamation.
Now the party is on it's feet and ready 10
meet the common enemy. No talk of can
| didates for county and district offices has
been started, save that the strongest men
| irrespective of old factional alliances, will
| be chosen and enthusiastically supported
| by every Clark county Republican.
1.-The situation is decidedly encouraging
for u.s." said Chairman Dunbar this after
noon. Il am confident we shall be able
to elect a part of the county ticket at least
and 1 am very hopeful of electing the joint
senator. although that is a far more diff
cult proposition. The Democrats are doing
just exactly what we want them to do
| fighting each other tooth and nail OF
course, the Weight faction has the Stannard
/ faction whipped TO a standsti1, has cap
tured the county organization and will
nominate its candidates from congressman
on. down, but they can't stop fighting. The
| Stannard men don't know they're whipped
| or refuse TO admit IT, which amounts tC
| the same thing"
| Mr.. Dunbar is a young man. alert az.
TO put the Republican organization In the
| best possible condition for the coming cam.
paign. That he is popular and strong i:
| shown by his race for prosecuting attorney
| in the last campaign. when he was defeated
| by but 253 votes when the Democratic can
| didate for Congress carried the county by
5H.
II thought our prospects were excellent
| them he said this afternoon, land l wa.
confident of being elected, but the situation
| is ten-fold more encourag ing this year 81
| have which n
| hopes of success this fall"
Mr.. Dunbar will go to Evansville SATURDAY.
to attend the Lincoln League convention
and at the banquet Saturday night vii
list.
Newt Myers, postmaster of Jefferson
vile, and a man who has long been one o
the controlling factors in Clark count,
Republican affairs, is equally optimistic
We're in good shape-in better shap
than we've known for years." he said to
day. We've got together and we're goin,
to stay together When Grant Runyan an
his friends turned in and helped elect Dun
bar chairman they made concessions, 70
which they are entitled to great credit an
/ know they won't have cause TO regret II
They have just as much of a hand in tn
organization as any one else. and they'l
share in any successes that may come I
the party"
Mr.. Myers. by the way, is going to ru
down 10 Washington again next week an
he serves notice that he will not attemp
again to board a Washington street ca
while il is in motion. His experience the las
time he was at the capital was healthfu
if not exactly pleasant.
John c. Zulauf, who was recently electe
as the Third district member of the Re
publican State committee, lives here, an
he, too, is encouraged with the Republica
prospects.
1.-The party organization throughout tn
district is in good shape said he this even
ing. 1T is, OF course, useless TO think O
| overcoming the immense Democratic plu
rality in the district unless there shout
be a remarkable landslide but | am sat
isfied that We'll be able to make big gain
and in the close counties we should cleo
at least parts of the county tickets Tn
Democrats are fighting each other wors
/, | than ever, and that is our cue to tight ther
a little harder than ever, and we'll put u
| a more vigorous fight all along the line
Mr.. Zulauf is interested in the date 70
the Republican State convention
Il suppose the matter will be taken up
the meeting of the state committee nea
week" he said II don't know what ~
sentiment is in other parts OF the state. br
down here all the Republicans i have taIke
with seem to think that the state conventio
should be held late. not until after the M
nicipal elections the first of May II III
convention is held the latter part OF April
/ always interferes with the municipal can
, paigns, and II has been our experience thu
IL has a bad effect / don't know how n
candidates for state offices will look at N
matter. Their wishes, If they can agre
, will have weight with the state committe
1 suppose
'I am confident we carry the count,