The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-12-14

AS they gathered In the convention
hall many OF the delegates were un
able to adjust themselves to the fac
that Bassett had not only failed
election as delegates from his own
county, but that he was not even
present as a spectator Of the conven-
ION The scene was set, the curtain
had risen, but Hamlet came not to
the platform before the castle Many
men sought Harwood and inquired in
awed whispers as to Bassett's where
abouts, but he gave evasive answers.
He knew, however, that Bassett. had
taken an early morning tram for
Waupegan, accompanied by Fitch
their purpose being to discuss In peace
and quiet the legal proceeding begun
to gain control of the Courier. The
few tried and trusted Bassett men
who knew exactly Bassett's plans for
the convention listened in silence to
the hubbub occasioned by their chiefs
absence; silence was a distinguishing
trait Of Bassett's lieutenants. Among
the uninitiated there We're those who
fondly believed that Bassett was
killed. not scotched, and they said
among themselves that the party and
the State were we'll rid of him
Thatcher was to be reckoned with,
hut he was no worse than Bassett;
with such cogitations they comforted
themselves amid the noise and confu-
sion.
A young woman reporter, travers
ing the galleries to note the names
and gowns Of the ladies present,
sought Mrs. Bassett for information
as to her husbands Whereabouts.
When Mrs. Bassett hesitated dicreet-
". Marian rose promptly to the &C.
casion:
"Papa's gone fishing" she replied
suavely.
This was not slow to reach the
floor. ''Papa's gene fishing" gained
wide currency as the answer to the
most interesting question Of the day.
The Hon. Isaac Petit, seated ma
jestically with the Fraser County dele
cation, tested the acoustics of the
hall at the first opportunity. while
the chairman of the State central
committee was endeavoring to present
as the temporary chairman OF the
convention a patriot known as the
War Eagle of the Wabash the gen
tleman from Fraser insisted upon rec
ognition.
WHO is that preposterous fat
MANI" demanded Mrs. Owen, plying
her palm-leaf fan vigorously.
That's Mr.. Petit, from our
town" said Mrs. Bassett. Hes an
editor and lecturer"
Hes the man that defeated papa
in our primaries" added Marian
cheerful1y. Hes awfuIly funny, ev-
erybody says. and suppose his de-
feating papa was a joke. He's going
to say something funny now"
He doesn't need to-" said Sylvia
not the least interested OF the spec
tators. "They are laughing before he
begins"
The chairman Of the State commit
tee feigned not to hear or see the
delegate from Fraser. but Mr.. Petit
continued to importune the chair
amid much laughter ana confusion.
The chairman had hardened his heart.
but the voice Of the gentleman from
Fraser alone rose above the tumult,
and In a moment Of comparative calm
he addressed the chair unrecognized
and unpermitted.
Il beg to call your attention, sir.
to the presence in the gallery Of many
of the fair daughters of the old
Hoosier State. (Applause) They
hover above US like guardian angels.
They have come in the spirit that
brought their sisters OF old to watch
true knights battle in the tourney. As
mark Of respect to these ladies who
DO us so much honor. ask the chair
to request gentlemen to desist from
smoking and that the sergeant-at-
arms be ordered to enforce the rule
throughout our deliberations" Long
continued applause)
The State chairman was annoyed and
showed his annoyance. He had been
about to ingratiate himself with the
ladies by making this request IN
Prompted; he made 1t now. hut the
gentleman from Fraser sat down con-
scious that the renewed applause was
his.
why don't they keep on smol1-
iug7" asked Mrs. Owen. THE hall
couldn't be any fuller Of smoke than
it is now"
eff they would all put on their coats
the room would be more beautiful
said Marian. They always say the Re
publicans are much more gentlemen
than the Democrats"
Hush, Marian; some one might
hear you" Mrs. Bassett cautioned.
The permanent chairman now dis
closed was a man Of business, who
thanked the convention briefly and
went to work. By the time the com
mite on resolutions had presented the
platform ION which Bassett and Har-
wood had colIaborated) the convention
enjoyed its first sensation as Thatcher
appeared, moving slowly down the
crowded main aisle to join the aelega-
ton Of his county. His friends had
planned a demonstration for his en-
trance, and in calling It an ovation the
newspapers hardly magnffed its APP
parent spontaneIty and volume. The
man who had undertaken the hercu-
lean task of driving Morton Bassett
out Of politice was entitled to consid-
Grafton. and his appearance undoubt-
edly interrupted the business of the
convention for fully five minutes.
Thatcher bowed and waved his hand
as he sat down. The cordiality of his
reception both pleased and embar-
raised him He famed himself with
his hat and feigned indifference to