The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-02-22
Congressman-elect at Indian
apolis Trying to Prevent
Tinkering with the "Old
Burnt" District.
SAYS THE DISTRICT
is NOW DEMOCRATIC
Changes Contemplated Might
Defeat His Chances of Re-
election-Too Progressive
for Some.
palladium Specially

palladium Specially
indianapolis. Feb. 22.-Finley Gray.
Democratic ongressman-elect from
the "Oid Burnt" Sixth congressional
district, together with his friends. are
working to dissuade the congressional
npportionment committee from gerry.
Wandering him out OF chance for re-
election. While II may appear strange
at first blush. that a Democratic legis-
lature would gerrymander Demo
cratic congressman out of job. II Is
claimed by some Of Gray's friends
that he IL not conservative enough to
suit somc of the really.for-sure moss
backs Of his party and that because
OF his progressive ideas the leaders
Of his own party would not weep to
see him fall by tho waysidc.
In recent public statement Con.
gressman-elect Gray went on record
No saying he could see but little diff.
ference between reactionary Demo
crat and rcactionary Republican
and that during his two years OF ser.
vice he would represent his constit-
ucncy regardless of party lines. While
this 10 said to have been offensive to
some Of the old. time Democrats.
0ray's friends claim that his living UP
to this interview which he intends to
do. Will make the Sixth district. as IL
now exists. Democratic. because Of
tho large Independent and radically
progressive vote In that district. :.
~ a. ~ Not An Accident.
Gray 10 the FIRST Democrat ever elec-
ted from that district. but II IL argued
that he 10 not an accident. any more
than was Adair or Barnhart or Rauch
or Morrison. all now representing dis
tricts for at least the second time that
were once counted rock.ribbed Re-
publican. There In no denying that
Insurgency rules the Sixth district
and the voters are for the man rather
than the party. Democrats claim that
the Republicans have no available
al the Republicans spoken Of as can
didatcs are men who have not been
known a. Insurgents and could not
carry the district against Gray In two
years. II Gray lives up TO his prom.
ises.
They admit that young. agrees
I've Republican who has ability to
make . campaign before the people
and whose insurgency could not be
questioned would probably redeem
the district. but no such candidate 10
visible. and the belief 10 that none
will be found. For that reason Gray's
friends are asking the district be left
unchanged.
II 10 understood the gerrymander
proposed would make the Sixth dis
trict look like the wreck Of a huck.
ster's cart. II would extend in length
over 100 miles and In width at one
place only the width of a township.
A. proposed Il 10 said It will include
Wayne. Henry. Union. Fayette and
Hancock counties OF the present dis
trict; then continuing west from Han.
cock county II will take In two north
ern townships Of Marion county. Ham.
1lton county and Hendricks county.
A district extending from the Ohio.
Indiana state line to Putnam county
10 "G0ing some" This district. as
planned. will be normally 10000 Re-
publican. but II place In one reserva-
tion some OF the notoriously Repub-
lican strongholds where they will not
have to be watched by Democrats.