Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 June 1918 — THE DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVENTION [ARTICLE]

THE DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVENTION

VENTION By Walter S. Chambers (Manager Publicity Bureau Democratic State Committee) Chairman Van Nuys is fast getting into shape the plans for the Democratic state convention op Wednesday, June 19. Many suggestions have been received by him for planks in the platform and these are referred to the state committee which will turn them to the resolutions committee when it meets the night before. It is the general sentiment among Democrats to make the war the chief and only big issue and that all other things will be incidental. For that reason there is a disposition to deal leniently in state affairs. The demand for tickets to the state convention indicates that it will be one of the biggest ever held by the party. That there will be plenty of enthusiasm goes without saying, because among Democratic politicians there is only one disposition and that is to boost. This will be in sharp contrast to the Republican convention held here two weeks ago. It would have been an apathetic affair had not Harry New threw a wrench into the smooth workings of the machine by his vicious attack on President \\ ilson. After that it was a crest-fallen lot of politicians that left the hall when the convention adjourned. The Democratic convention next week will be one of enthusiastic patriotism. Vice President Marshall, the temporary chairman, will be the representative of the federal administration. That he will tell the truth in plain English goes without saying, nor will he be found pussy-footing when strong action is in place. He will bring to Indiana Democracy as well as to the democracy of Indiana, a message of patriotism and duty to the country. He is in close touch with what is going on in Washington and in congress. He knows the men who have heen helping and those who have been hindering or giving so sparingly of their help as to be almost a hindrance. No better or more patriotic, speeches have been .made over the country this year than those delivered by the Vice President, and he is in demand from ►all states.

Governor Ralston will probably be the permanent chairman of the convention and his address will b-» devoted largely to state issues, although Mr. Ralston has given his heart and soul toward winning this war. So much has happened in Indiana since he left the state house a year and a half ago that he could make a dozen speeches on state issues, each dealing with a different matter. Seldom, if ever, in the history of Indiana has the administration of a governor been so thoroughly, vindicated as has that of Governor Ralston, and that in so short a time. But the Democrats and the Democratic convention will be generous to the Republicans of Indiana this year. They will condone many of their shortcomings and forgive the misrepresentation by which they gained power in 1916. It is not necessary to talk much about state issues these days, as the people are acquainted with the facts and realize that a dreadful and expensive mistake was made in November,, 1916—a mistake that will not be repeated very soon. For that reason Governor Ralston, broad and kindly man that he is, will deal lightly with those who maligned him two years ago, and now stand convicted in the minds of the people of Indiana.

Chairman Van Nuys is not overlooking anything in the way of convention arrangements. Special attention and courtesies will be shown the women. A section of the balcony, close to the stage, which is the most desirable part of the big hall for spectators, has been set apart for the War Mothers of Indiana and a special invitation has been .sent to the county chairman of all War Mothers organizations to be present and bring as many members with them as possible to hear the patriotic speeches of the Vice President and others. Adjoining them a section has been reserved for the other women of Indiana, especially those who have been interested in the -suffrage movement. The Democratic state committee was the first state committee to take any action on the suffrage question. That was last January, and when the new committee was elected in May one of its first acts was to go on record favoring the women. It may be safely asserted that the Democratic platform will contain a ■plank giving the whole-hearted endorsement to votes for women, and

they have been invited to witness the adoption. From responses received by Chairman Van Nuys, the women of Indiana appreciate this courtesy and th ought fulness and will be present in great numbers. There will be no lack of men seeking places on the state ticket. Already there are a number of act ive s candidates, but at headquarters it is expected that vstveral wellknown men will ask for places on the ticket whose names haive not as yet been mentioned. Pressure is being brought to bear on Evan Stotsenburg of New Albany to make the race for Attorney-General. If he will accept the nomination it is probable that no other name will be presented. Edward. Simons of Hammond is mentioned prominently for Auditor of State. He formerly was auditor of Lake county and is well known among Democrats throughout Indiana. Captain William Gray of Covington, it was said today, will be a candidate for Auditor of State. Thomas Meeker of Indianapolis is a Candidate for Auditor of State. The avowed candidates for State Treasurer are J. B. McCarthy of Kempton and C. D. Henke of Petersburg. Thomas O’Connor of Monticello, who was defeated for the nomination for Treasurer four years ago, may make the race this time.

Announcements have been made by H. E. Grube of Plymouth, Samuel Galloway of Huntington, and Myron D. King of Indianapolis as candidates for Clerk of the Supreme Court. Edward Barrett of Plainfield is a candidate to succeed himself as State Geologist. Judges 1 laugh, Hot tel, Felt and Caldwell are candidates to succeed themselves as members of the Appellate Court. < The candidates for two vacancies on the Supreme Court Bench are John C. McNutt of Martinsville, Samuel VandiVeer of Princeton and I. J. .Moran-of Portland. Moran has no opposition. McNutt and Vandivver are seeking the position now held by Judge John W. Spencer of Evansville. At Democratic headquarters it was said .today that John W. Cravens of Indiana university and T. F. Fitzgibbon, superintendent of schools at Muncie, are being -urged to run for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Samuel Scott, su; eTintendent of schools in Floyd county, also is a candidate for State Superintendent. Chairman Van Nuys says that the Democrats will have a strong ticket. In addition to speeches by Vice President Marshall and former Governor Samuel M. Ralston, there will be short speeches by former Senator Thomas Taggart and th® four Democratic congressmen from this state. Chairman Van Nuys said that nothing better could have happened for the Democrats in Indiana than the delivery of the speeches by Senator Harry S. New and Governor Goodrich at the Republican convention. He said that these speeches have aroused not only the Democrats but thousands of loyal and patriotic members ot other parties and that their utterances have made it easy for the Democrats to go ahead with their arrangements for a large and patriotic convention.