Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 June 1918 — POLITICAL GOSSIP IN INDIANA [ARTICLE]

POLITICAL GOSSIP IN INDIANA

(By Walter S. Chambers.)

Two Republicans, both prominent in Indiana affairs, were interested visitors at the Democratic state convention last week. As they sat on the stage, listening to the splendid patriotic addresses of Vfce-Pres.-. dent Marshall, Governor Ralston and Congressman Septi Ferris, and watching the nominations, one remarked to the ether: "If this convention nominates as goOd inen as it has started out to name, the I emocrats w’ll tave a splendid ticket.’’ To this the other Republican tersely replied: "It makes little difference what kind of a ticket they name, is bound to be elected.” And this is the general feeling among all Democrats and most Republicans who are close observers of current ' political events. The pep and ginger, the whoop and hurrah and the patriotic enthusiasm that marked the Democratic convention was in marked contrast to the cynical and critical convention held by the Republicans of Indiana in the same hall three weeks previous. Com the speech of VicePresident Marshall with that of Senator Harry New; that of Governor Ralston with that of Governor Goodrich: compare the address of Representative Scott Ferris with that of Senator Watson —these men made the three leading addresses of each convention —and the political student has a mental picture of this year's campaign before him. He can tell now the trend of events next fall and he knows now what he will hear when he goes to political meetings later in the campaign. The speeches of Seni ors New and Watson were full of fire and brimstone, just as the old-time preachers used to have plenty of hell and damnation in their sermons. The preacher today who gets the crowds and likewise the converts, is the one who preaches thegospel of love and charity and justice and greets his audience with a smile. The doctrine of hate and condemnation is neither popular nor impressive. The speeches of the two Democrats from the National Congress were messages of enthusiasm and of patriotism. They told of accomplishments and of great deeds; of the great wbrk the government is doing for humanity, and doing it unselfishly. And it was to help this great and patriotic work tha» the Vice-President and Representative Ferris journeyed from Washington to appeal to the toters of Indiana.

The speakers at the Democratic convention did not attack men or officials in America —their only conI demhation was for the, kaiser. Neither of these Democrats from Washington had a word of criticism for any man who is helping in this war. Governor Ralston went cut of his way to compliment G.ovlernor Goodrich for the good work Ihe had done in Indiana toward winining the war, and the platform contained a plank pledging support to the Indiana Governor in all his patriotic efforts. It was a state convention. bat very little was said I about state affairs. While there was I ample material at hand for criticising and condemning the state adj ministration, this was not done, as the Democrats proceeded on the I theory that this is no time for one American to criticise another, but to work together for the common purpose of winning the war. The women of Indiana are more than pleased at the treatment accorded them. They appeared before the resolutions committee at the invitation of - Chairman Van Nays and were asked to write the plank they wanted in the platform. They did this but when shown the one that had already been prepared by the committee, they readily gave up their own, as the committee not only pledged support for the Federal suffrage amendment, but pledg-

ed an amendment to the Indiana constitution in the event the Federal amendment should faiW More than this, the womeij. were invited to participate in the councils of the Democratic party during the present campaign and until they shall be given the right to vote. This full and free recognition of the women compares favorably with the perfunctory endorsement given by the Republican convention. The Women’s Franchise League, as well as the War Mothers, were given a special invitation to- the convention and special sections reserved for them. The large number in attendance showed their appreciation of this invitation. A third more people attended the Democratic state convention than did the Republican convention, although the reverse is usually the case. The size and enthusiasm of the crowd is an indication that can not be over-looked. Congratulations came to Chairman Van Nuys from all sides on account of the splendid arrangements for the convention. Nothing was left undone, apparently. One shrewd politician in Indiana remarked that the Democrats have the best chairman they have had in twenty-five years, and there have been somg good ones in that time. And nobody agrees to this any more readily' than some of the preceding chairmen. Working with all the energy of a dynamo, always in the best of humor, Chairman Van Nuys has the initiative and all the qualities of a leader. Chairman Hollister of the National Democratic committee, remarked that Indiana had as good a state chairman as there was in the country, and he knows all of them. No finer start for a campaign could be asked than have the Democrats of Indiana. With a state chairman that has the ability and without an opposing faction in the state, with a convention that was as big and as enthusiastic as ever held, and with a ticket of clean mien, every candidate selected for his ability, added to the wonderful administration of President Wilson, the Democratic party of this state has all the preparedness that could be asked. For several months coffee has been almost unobtainable in Denmark. When any is to be had it sells for as much as $5 a pound. This naturally has stimulated the production of coffee substitutes. It is now reported that about 15,000 tons of various kinds of raw materials have lately been used for making these substitutes. One report says that 6,000 tons of acorns, 1,300 tons of dandelion, 1,600 tons of chicory and 2,300 tons of sugar beets have been roasted, ground up and sold for coffee substitutes. Acorns sell for about 12 cents a pound 1 .