Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 September 1908 — HANLY’S ACTION AN ENIGMA. [ARTICLE]

HANLY’S ACTION AN ENIGMA.

Concerning Gov. Hanly's calling the legislature in special session, the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Indianapolis correspondent says, among other things: There are Republicans who believe that the calling of the extra session is a covert attempt to defeat the party nominees for state offices. These insist that the exigencies which the Governor, points out in respect to the lapsing of appropriations could have been met at any bank in this city for an Interest charge that would not cost the state one-half what the Legislature will spend. Years ago, when Governor Matthews had to meet the expense of sending troops into the coal fields to protect property, and there was no money on hand for that purpose, he borrowed $40,000 from the banks on the credit of the state, and a Republican Legislature paid the debt without even a sign or objection or criticism. Another motive imputed to the Governor is that he wants to make a play for popularity with the temperance element of" the state, upon whom he already has so strong a hold, and he hopes to carry through a local option law in advance of the election, thus insuring county unit plan regardless of the result at the polls. Of course, those who take this view see in the Governor’s action something beyond the mere desire for a local option law. That he wishes to go to the United States Senate is no secret, and his aim is believed to be to enlist the temperance forces on his side and make the race against Senator Hemenway if the Republicans have a majorltj' of the Legislature. Others affect to believe that he regards the state as already lost to the Republicans, and that he is laying his plans to stand for the Senate two years hence against Senator Beveridge. But to the majority of the Republicans he is an enigma that time alone can solve. He has many bitter enemies in his party, but in the main he has carried through nearly every thing he has proposed. When the state convention met he called leading delegates to his office and declared that he would take the stump against Senator Freemont Goodwine if he were nominated for Lieutenant Governor. The convention ignored the threat, and Republicans are still wondering if he proposes to oppose Goodwine on the stump. Such a step would be a political anomaly in Indiana, but some of those who best know the Governor, who understand how determined he is, would not be suprised to see him carry his threat into execution.