The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-01-04
LEGISLATORS
7 READY
FOR CAUCUS
Leslie Gains Ground in
Marion County for
SpeakerShip.
PARTY GROUPS CONFER
Machine Drives for Pitten-
ger Boom.

Marion County members Of the
Legislature will hold official caucus
Wednesday evening and Immediately
thereafter go to the general caucus
of the Republican members Of the
House.
Such was the program announced
by Representative j. w. Ebaugh,
chairman Of the Marion County dele
cation, who added that the plans are
subject to change.
Members of the Legislature from
all sections of the State are gather
Ing in the city today, preparatory
for convening of the Legislature,
Thursday. Partisans of both Lemuel
A. Pittenger and Harry G.. Leslie,
candidates for the speakership of
the House, are bringing pressure on
the Marion Legislators in an effort
to swing the Marion County vote.
Others Lost
Every hotel lobby and numerous
Offices are scenes of miniature
caucuses. All other speakership can
didates have apparently been lost in
shuttle. Pittenger and Leslie have
the field to themselves.
Marion legislators have been mills
ing around among themselves, but
have not been able to reach an
agreement on the speakership as yet.
In fact, the Wednesday caucus will
be necessary to determine the results
as several of the legislators have
as yet refused to make known their
position on the matter.
II the vote of the Marion County
delegation is delivered intact to one
Of the candidates under the unit rule,
it will be one Of the deciding factors
in the choice of the Speaker at the
Republican caucus.
With decided trend to Leslie
manifest at secret caucus Of Mari.
on County men at the home of Will
liam Henry Harrison, 4221 Broad
way, Monday night, many observers
believed his forces would champion
the unit system in voting for the
speakership.
TO Mrs. Ella v. Gardner and
Frank Born, his outspoken advo-
Gates, Leslie is said to have added
Lloyd d. Claycombe, Samuel *. Ru.
ick, II. Walker De Haven and
others. However, Mrs. Gardner and
Borns were not at the conference.
Some For Pittinger
J. w. Ebaugh and Russell v. Dun.
can are apparently leading the Pitt
enger forces in this city.
1t is expected the speakership con-
test will be decided at the caucus as
in past years and under the unit rule
the unanimous Republican vote de-
livered to the caucus victor when
the House convenes.
Mrs. Gardner, who refused to
bind herself to abide by the unit
rule and vote as the majority of
the delegation voted and who was
expelled from a delegation caucus
last week, will be invited to Wednes-
days final caucus, Representative
William Bosson Jr. said.
To Ask Mrs. Gardner
The withdrawal Of William A.
fluIIIIldn OIL LlkndrL mas ndu iLLle
effect on the speakership contest.
Huffman had little support.
Lonzo L. Shull of Sharpville has
declared himself in the race since
Huffmans withdrawal, evidently
hoping that in case of deadlock,
he will be accepted as compromise
candidate.
Democratic Chairman r. Earl
Peters has called Democratic eau
Gus at the Claypool at s p. m.
Wednesday for choice of minority
House floor leader.
George l.. Saunders, Bluffton edi-
tor, is the favorite candidate for the
position.
Lieutenant Governor F. Harold
Van Orman was expected to arrive
today. He is believed to favor
Senator James J. Nejdl for Senate
president pro tenn. and will have
great weight, because of his power
in naming committees.
Nejdl and his opponent, Senator
Denver c. Harlan, of Richmond
came to this city Monday.
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