The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-12-21
Generally Believed That 9th
er Democratic Contestants
Will Now Submit Without
Further Contest.
SHIVELEY Is LEADER
IN SENATORIAL RACE
1t Is Now Reported That It
Kern Is Not Elected on the
Third or Fourth Ballot,
ShiveIey Will Win Out.
BY Ellis Searles.

indianapolis, Ind, Dec. 21-The de-
cision of Burt New, of North Vernon,
to drop his contest for the office of
Reporter of the Supreme Court, which
was announced Saturday, has caused
q stir in the Democratic camp, and a
good many Democrats are unable to
understand just why he decided to
take such step. New places his de-
cision on the ground that he feels that
the office, even If he should win,
would not be worth the time, trouble
and expense of the fight he would
have to make to get it. And this is
no doubt his real reason, but the
Democrats here are pointing out that
on the official returns New was de-
featured by Geo. w. Self, republican,
by only I'll votes in the entire state.
Since the election they say corrected
returns have been received that would
easily wipe out that small plurality,
and yet, New has pulled out Of the
fight
James F.. Cox. of Columbus, who
was defeated for Secretary OF State,
Marion Bailey, of Lizton, defeated for
Auditor OF State, and p. j. Kelleher,
Of this city, defeated for State Stats
tician, were all showed under by plu-
ralities much larger than that against
New, and yet they say they will re-
main in the fight and will make the
contest to gain the offices. OF course,
the salary Of the Reporter of the SUI
preme Court is not as large as that of
either the Secretary or the Auditor,
and this would make the contest less
attractive to New.
There Is pretty general belief.
however, that the withdrawal of New
means the beginning of the end of the
contest and that the other defeated
democratic candidates for state offices
will soon follow his lead in pulling
out. This, however may not be the
correct dope, and time only can tell
Ever since the meeting of the demo
cratic legislators in this city a week
ago there has been lull In the fight
for United States senator. If any new
moves have been made they have been
under cover where they could not be
observed.
1t is at least certain that nothing has
transpired that changes the aspect OF
things since that time. Shively came
out of that conference stronger than
ever, and there are more democrats
now than ever before who look upon
him as one of the leading candidates
1t is even said that in the event that
Kern is not elected on the first three OF
four ballots some Of his strength will
drift away and go to Shively. If such
thing were to start it would proba.
bly, mean the defeat of Kern.
There is one thing certain about al
this talk, and that is that some of the
legislators who will vote for Kerr
would much prefer to vote for some
other candidate If they dared to do so
But their hands are tied. In many
OF the counties the democratic county
committees or democratic clubs have
adopted resolutions favoring Kern's
kern's election and requesting or di.
recting their senators and representa-.
tives to vote for Kern at the caucus
Reports of this character have beer
coming In for weeks.
Now some Of the members from
those counties prefer some other can
didate. But what can they do? They
are bound by these instructions ane
are In honor bound to carry them out
II shall vote for Kern said on,
member of the house. whose county i:
not far from Marion county. because
/ know my constituents wish me t,
vote that way. But if 1 had my wa,
about it. | would vote for Slack
1t will be interesting to watch these
members and see how long they sticl
to Kern and where they go If the,
leave him at any time during the fight
1t is seen that Kern is profiting from
the instructions given by the Demo
cratic committees and clubs through
out the state. 1t also proves that h,
is the real choice of the rank and fill.
of the party, even if he is not tn,
choice of all of the politicians Thi:
is what gives him the lead in the figh
that he has now. 1t proves, too. tha
If he is not elected United States sena
tor there will be some members of tn,
legislature who will have some un
pleasant half-hours after they ge
home.
Discussion of the idea of holding !;
constitutional convention to reyers,
the state constitution continues, ant
there is likely to be an effort to brin.
about something along that line. 1t il
as has been said before, unlikely tha
lEnnfiuuad on Poca Eonr \