The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1912-01-05

vote. He moved to make the election
or Korbly unanimous, which was done.
Some tall classifying was done aft
err the meeting was over 1t was given
out that Hoffnans name had not been
presented, and that the election of
Korbly had been unanimous But later
w. II. O'Brien, state auditor. was ask
ed about the story that Hoffman,s
name had been presented, and he ad-
mitted 1t 40 be true. but said that It
was agreed in the meeting that this
fact should not be given out That ac-
counts for the story sent out yesterday
that Hoffman had not been nominated
Two things stand out boldly in the
result of the meeting of the democratic
state committee The first is that the
party has been delivered absolutely
into the hands of the brewers and the
liquor interests, represented by Craw-
ford Fairbanks and Tom Taggart.
These interests are in full control They
are in position to nominate the state
ticket and make the state platform.
They are in position to name practical
~ all of the democratic candidates for
the legislature. and this is significant.
because Crawford Fairbanks is bitterly
opposed to any form of law to regulate
the liquor traffic. Whatever else may
be said of Steve Fleming as brewer.
1t must be admitted that he is not like
Fairbanks. Fleming is in favor OF
regulative and restrictive liquor laws.
and he has worked hard for them
The Fairbanks influence will domi-
nate the campaign, and IL the same
Kind of Fairbanks methods in politics
are used In the state campaign that
were used in the hfth district chair
| manship fight last week 1t is easy to
see what kind of a campaign is COM
| ing on.
| The fact that the democrats have
turned their party organization over
to the brewers will arouse the temp
erance people of the state to fighting
pitch. 1t is notice to the temperance
people that their votes are not wanted
and are not needed by the democrats
This will mean that IL will not be
necessary for the Republicans to make
any expression on the liquor question
| in their platform With the Democratic
party absolutely committed to the
brewery interests. as it is, the Repubii-
can party Will be the only hope of the
temperance people. regardless of
whether it declares for county ortior.
or anything else. The Republicans can
let their past record speak for itself on
that proposition. without any new
declaration. And by making no such
declaration the party will avoid driving
away any liberal voters that might
object to declaration in favor Of
county option
! This is regarded here as one of the
most important features of the situa-
ton. Evidently a good many Demo-
Gratis who were under the spell of
Crawford Fairbanks and Tom Taggart
had not though of this situation, but
they will begin to see through it very
tsoon.
| The next interesting feature of the
matter is that although the committee
Endorsed Governor Marshall as a candi-
| dae for president and pledged the sup
lport of the Indiana Democracy to him.
lit at the same time turned him down In
the matter of reorganization of the
committee. They rode over him rough
lshod, paying no attention whatever to
his wishes In the matter. The Cover
tnor gave out little statement after
1.-THE meeting in which he is quoted as
labove.
4 A story was started here yesterday to
the effect that L Ert Slack, of Frank
lin. had about decided to get into the
Trace for the Democratic nomination for
governor agains Samuel NJ Ralston, of
Lebanon, and that probably he would
Announce his candidacy within the next
few days. Mr.. Slack was not in the
city and the stroy could not be verified
There is also a belief that q number
Iof other candidates for governor may
spring up now, because there will be
indignation among the Democrats over
the result of the reorganization of the
committee, and many Democrats will
not want to vote for Ralston, who is
backed by the Taggart interests. II
this happens it may mean much trouble
for Ralston.
A good story is going the rounds in
connection with the selection of March
21 as the day for holding the Demo
cratic state convention One man said
THE Governor carried the day, al
right. The Taggart fellows wanted tc
hold the state convention on March 20
The friends of the Governor wanted
the convention held at a later date. Sd
they fixed 1t for March 81, and thus. the
Governor carried the day."