Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 August 1907 — STATE POLITICS. [ARTICLE]

STATE POLITICS.

Democrats In Pine Shape-Conven-tion and Organization Talk. Indianapolis, Aug. 22,1907. While the Republicans of Indiana are quarreling bitterly oyer the matter of a presidential candidate the Democrats are peaceful and serene. The last official utterance of the party pledged Indiana’s vote in the next national convention to Mr. Bryan. That pledge met with the approval of all loyal Democrats in the state, and they stand by it with undiminished enthusiasm. Other able and capable men besides Mr. Bryan —some of whom would make good candidates and good presidents —have been spoken of, but both the heart and the judgment of the masses of the party are still with Bryan. Being settled in their minds as to their choice of a candidate, the Democrats of this state have nothing to disturb their harmony with respect to national politics. On the other hand the Republicans present a' striking contrast. They are engaged in a fierce conflict. It is even more savage than appears on the surface, and goodness knowß the surface shows trouble enough to satisfy most anybody. t t t The Fairbanks people have given up all thought of creating an appearance of enthusiasm for their self-imposed candidate. All they are asking now is that the state give Mr. Fairbanks its vote in the national convention. The machine is powerful enough to get the delegates, but it, wants to get them without provoking too much of an outcry from the Roosevelt Republicans. According to the signs, however, there is going to be a great noise. The uproar won’t prevent Fairbanks from getting the delegates, but it will cause trouble outside the state. The -V, P.’s advance agents, brokers and advertisers have been abroad in the land with a tale of Indiana, ‘'enthusiasm’’ which will not stand the wash.

. . 111 No particular activity in state : politics is looked for until after the summer is over. Iu a month or so, however, there is likely to be a greater interest than is usually seen so long before an election Among Democrats the belief is growing into conviction that the next electiou will see the end of the Republican reign in Indiana This beliet is shared by many Republicans and independents who have become weary of the jobhunters and tax-eaters who have made such a bung'e of the public business. Already it is apparent that the next Democratic state convention will be a great Rnd notable gathering, in which splendid men will contest for places of honor on the ticket to be named. And a question in the minds of many is as to the best time for holding the convention. From all that has been beard so far, the policy of “waiting to see what the other fellows do” has no advocates. The Democratic party proposes to be an aggressive party in tbe next campaign—a positive fight force, confident in its cause and in its ability to win. __ 1 The chances are, therefore, that the Democratic state convention will be held comparatively early—perhaps as early as in the first half of April. Of coarse, there is no authority for this statement as the matter is one to be settled by the state central committee, which has not yet been chosen. Bat the desire for tbe party to take an aggressive part in the campaign is so universal that a “wait and see” program will hardly be adopted. Tbe feeling is that the Democrats can win the next eleotion if they show that they really mean business.

in a party way, is the eleotion of members of the state committee. According to party practice this will taka plaoe early in January. A member of the committee will be chosen from each congressional district, anji as the time of the election is already known, the Democrats in the several districts can govern themselves accordingly. It is important that the state committee should be composed of the best men obtainable, because a good organization is always a matter of vital oonoern', as every man knows.