Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 January 1908 — STOKES JACKSON [ARTICLE]

STOKES JACKSON

Elected Democratic State Chairman. 42 BALLOTS NECESSARY TO CHOICE New Chairman a Popular Democrat and An Ardent Bryan Man—RUk Withdrew Early In the Race.

The election of a state chairman by the democratic committeemen of the thirteen congressional districts of Indiana took place in Indianapolis Wednesday, and 42 ballots were necessary to make a choice. Stokes Jackson of Greenfield was elected on 42d ballot, receiving the votes of the First, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Ninth districts; Richard K. Erwin of Decatur received the vote of

the Eighth, Eleventh and Twelfth, John E. Lamb of Terre Haute, the votes of the Second and Tenth, and H, A. Barnhart of Rochester the vote of the Thirteenth district on final ballot. It became evident to James E. Risk of the Tenth that some other candidate in opposition to Jackson stood a better show of being

elected than himself, and be Withdrew and with others endeavored to unite this opposition on some one candidate. This was impossible to do, however, the Thirteenth district committeeman having

come instructed to vote for Barnhart from first to last, and he doggedly refused to badge from this position even at Barnhart’s earnest entreaties to vote for some one else. Finally, M. E. Foley of the Ninth, who after the first ballot voted with the opposition until the 38th ballot, went back to Jackson, and a few more ballots settled the controversy. It was the field against Jackson, who was considered the Taggart choice, and the latter won after the hottest fight of the kind ever made in the state. . After it was all over Mr. Risk, who had led in the fight, when called upon, said that he had done all he could to defeat Jackson, “But,” he added,

“I never carry any fights beyond the place where they end. I may be back here two years hence fighting the same battle over again, but until then I will be fonnd fighting Republicans, not Democrats. I have no animosities to carry home with me. This has been a manly fight and the party will be bettered by it. And you, Mr. Chairman, (addressing Mr. Jacksonk, will find me a friend and supporter, willing to make any- sacrifice in behalf of the party and anxious to render any service for its success.” Great enthusiasm followed Risk’s speech. Mr. Jackson has always been a Bryan man and was in attendance on “Bryan day” at Fountain Park last August. He is apparently a quiet, unassuming gentleman, against whom nothing can be saidpersonally, and is evidehtly possessed of the necessary qualifications to make an excellent state chairman, and one who will lead the democratic hosts of the state to victory next November. Gilbert H. Hendren of Bloomfield and Adam Heimberger of New Albany, two of the defeated candidates, were named as first and second vice-chairmen, respectively. Joe Reilly will be continued as secretary.