Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 233, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 September 1916 — Hughes’ Tour An Eye- Opener to the Democrats. [ARTICLE]

Hughes’ Tour An EyeOpener to the Democrats.

Indianapolis, Ind., Sept. 28.—The Hughes' tour has been an eye-opener to the politicians. It has removed the thought that the people of Indiana were apathetic in the campaign and that they were not interested in things political this year. It is apparent from the way they have turned out to hear and see Hughes that they are not only interested but that they are deeply interested in what he says vo them in his speeches. One thing that has impressed many of the people that have seen and heard him is the ermarkablc vigor of the man. Some of them had expected to see a run-down, delicate sort of man with but little vigor. Instead they have seen a full-sized man in the vigor of middle age and with strength and vitality that surprised them. It is no secret that the Hughes trip has thrown a scare into the Indiana demoerts, and they are devoting much of their time to denouncing Mayor Bell, of Indianapolis, as a means of affording an “alibi.” They say that Hughes has made a hit in Indiana, and that he has completely upset all of their calculations. This, of itself, is a serious matter to them, but they say it would not be so bad if it were not for the fact that Mayor Bell has done so much damage to their own party in Marion county and that the two together have practically torn them to pieces. Local democrats and those connected with the state organizations are as deeply concerned about this situation as about anything in the campaign. Nobody a republican majority of less than 12,000 to 15,000 in Marion county, c.ui Lh S will be big enough to have a v ry i.e.ious effect on the result in t e state. And they are blaming the Marion county situation on Mayor Bell and his administration. No democrat ever had a more effectual strangle hold— oil the—party- ore .ganization than Bell has on the Marion county democratic organization. Donn Roberts never had a tighter grip on the democratic organization at Terre Haute than Bell has here. That is what makes trouble for the party, according to some democrats who do not hesitate to talk about it. It is found, too, that the influence of the Bell regime here has permeated the democratic party throughout the state, and that ther eare many members of the party in other counties who are just as sore over the situation as are those of Marion county.