The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-26
CLIQUE Fooled
IN SCHEME TO
UNSEAT SWAIN
ID County and Township
Officials Stand Back of
Present Chairman:
DEMOCRATS IN SPLIT
Judge Baker and Auditor
GroSSart Left High and
Dry in Fight.
BY BEN STERN

Attempts of two courthouse Of
ficials to build an independent po-
litical machine in opposition to the
regular Democratic county organi-
cation we're frowned upon by
tWenty-four county and township
officials today. when they adopted a
resolution asking H. Nathan Swain,
county chairman, to become can
didate for reelection.
Those who have been leading OPP
position to the regular committee
heads, whom they term the city
hall group" are Criminal Judge
Frank P. Baker and Charles Gros-
sart, county auditor
When presented with the Swain
resolution by Superior Judge Russell
j. Ryan, Baker and Grossart re-
fused to sign, while Glenn B. Rails
ton, county clerk, declared he
wished TO talk over the situation"
with Swain. He later signed.
Centers About Cox Candidacy
The fight in the Democratic ranks
is centered on an attempt to sup
port the candidacy of Earl r. Cox
for the Democratic nomination for
circuit judge.
Weakness of Bakers and GroS-
sart's position was demonstrated
when the twenty-four county and
township officials adopted the fol-
lowing resolution:
1--WE, the undersigned, Democratic
officeholders of the county and
townships thereof, in recognition of
your past splendid services for the
party in this county, and recogniz-
ing the important need of keeping
the government of the Democratic
county committee in the coming
campaign in safe, respectable, and
intelligent hands, to the best inter
estS of our entire party, express it
AS our earnest wish, and demand,
that you again stand for election as
chairman of the Democratic central
committee, and we each pledge
whole-hearted. unwavering and en-
ergetic support in all matters"
Hopes Are Dashed
Baker and Grossart had expected
that Ralston also would refuse to
sign the resolution, it was said.
They had figured upon his position
on the county election board and
patronage as an important factor
to defeat James E. Deery, city at
torney, who is one OF the candidates
for the circuit Judge nomination
and whom they term the city hall
candidate. according to information.
They also expected Timothy P.
Sexton, candidate for denomination
for county treasurer, who is op-
posed by William e. Clauer. also
said to be city hall candidate. to
refuse to indorse SWAIN it was re-
ported.
With these important officials
deserving the insurgent ranks.
Baker and Grossart stand practi-
cally alone in their fight for con-
troll.
I believe the successful candi-
dates in the primary should rec
ommend for approval of the pre-
cinct comnNtteemen their selection
as candidate for county Chairman.
AS was done in $780," Grossart said
today.
Williams Won't Sign
Superior Judge Joseph r. Will
hams would not sign the resolution.
although disavowing any connection
with the insurgents.
His former law partner. Chalmer
Schlosser, also is a candidate for
the circuit judge nomination, and
Williams is said to be aggrieved be-
cause the organization will not sup
port SchlosSer.
County officials who signed the
Swain support resolution are:
Herbert f. Wilson. prosecutor.
Charles L. Sumner. sheriff: Sexton
Ralston, Ira P. Haymaker, county
recorder; Robert r. Sloan, county
assessor: Bruce Short, surveyor.
DR.. william E. Arbuckle, coroner:
Juvenile Judge John F. Geckler,
Probate Judge Smiley N. Chambers.
Superior Judges Ryan, John w.
Kern. William A. Pickens and
Clarence Weir and county COM
missioners Thomas H. Ellis and
Dow Vorhies.
Township trustees who signed
are: Mrs. Hannah Noone, Center:
Maggie G. Maxwell, Washington;
Omer Green, Perry; j. M. Dunn,
Wayne: H. It. Van Cleave, Law
renee: r. E. Huffman, Pike; Charles
M. Walker, Warren. and H. L.