People's Pilot, Volume 4, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 December 1894 — SPEAKERSHIP RACE. [ARTICLE]

SPEAKERSHIP RACE.

FiELD OF TWELVE CANDIDATES IN AT THE START. I* the Position Worth the Prospective Strife?—lnteresting Paragraphs In Review of the Political Lives of Some Past Speakers—Gossip of the Contest. [Special Correspondence.] Indianapolis, Dec. 4. —The campaign for the Indiana speakership has not yet become lurid—not redhot. But I predict that it will. There are elements enough and candidates enough to make the topic ene of interest already, and in this week’s letter I point out some comparative history of unusual interest just at this time. The race is given greater attention than in recent years because more communities have a direct local interest through the aspirations of their own representative, but the fact that the house has changed political complexion gives to the Republican majority a degree of enthusiasm and to the Democratic minority a watchful interest in every proceeding. -***- He who ascends the mountain tops shall find The loftiest peaks most wrapt in clouds and snow. He who surpasses or subdues mankind. Must look down on the hate of those below. Thus wrote Lord Byron of ambition. Whether it is this sort of desire that impels an even dozen of Indiana’s legislative lights to seek the “loftiest peak” of the house as speaker is beyond my province to determine in writing a review of the canvass, its incidents and features of interest. The list of aspirants to date is as follows: B. M. Willoughby of Vincennes, Knox county. F. E. Holloway of Evansville, Vanderburg county, J. G. Allen of Washington, Daviess county. George B. Cardwill of New Albany, Floyd county. Marshall Newhouse of Kingston, Decatur county. C. F. Hosier of Steam Corner, Fountain county. F. D. Merritt of Lagrange, Lagrange county. Thomas T. Moore of Greencastle, Putnam county. J. C. Adams and W. H. Leedy of Indianapolis, Marion county. A. J. Stakebake of Winchester, Randolph county. J. F. Stutesman of Peru, Miami county. An analysis of the geographical location of the candidates, if that is to have anything to do with the race, shows that the south end has the most material to offer, and consequently most men between whom to divide votes. By congressional districts the Second and Seventh are the ones which seem destined to divide in their support, each having two announced aspirants. The others come one each from the First, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, Eleventh and Twelfth districts. Five of the candidates served during the last session of the general assembly, when they were in a minority of 63 to 37. These were Messrs. Allen, Hesler, Merritt, Newhouse and Stakebake. While the others were not members of the last house/some of them have previously had experienoe in legislative work. w ' It is asserted that J. M. Hunter of Williamsport and C. F. Remy of Columbus have been on the eve of announcing themselves as candidates for speaker, but that for some reason they have not yet done so. There may or may not be developments which will justify them in entering the race later on. —■***■ — There is talk of a combination against Marion county (which is not noted throughout the state for her modesty), inasmuch as two aspirants are seeking to control enough votes to elect. Word has come down from the north that if the speakership will be given to that section the clerkship can be had for the south, but the friends of southern candidates send an answer to the effect that conditions must be reversed before they can enter the deal.

The nature of the canvass thus far has been principally by letter or circular, with an occasional visit to different localities by some of the more anxious. The style of correspondence is clearly set forth in a quotation from a candidate given below, except that an additional biographical dissertation is attached to prove how great a man the candidate has already proven himself to be. But all this is tame to what it will be in a little while, when the real struggle for votes begins. The candidates come and go from the capital city quite frequently, often meeting here some of the members who have fled from home for a day to avoid a class of seekers after less important positions. The caucus will be held in the Denison house just before the meeting of the assembly. Sentiment as to the strength of candidates is likely to change before that date, so there would be an element of unfairness in saying what men now appear to be in the front, the entries having just been given the word “go.” _***- Recognizing that it was not for the emoluments (the speaker gets $2 a day more than the member on the floor) I have been seeking for a candidate who would tell me in a general way why any man was anxious to be chosen as the wielder of the gavel in a stormy assemblage like Indiana general assemblies usually prove. I thought to get away from the stereotyped phrases of ambition, and honor, and pride, and ability, and pressure of friends, and all that sort of thing, and get into a man’s secret longings. It proved a failure. I could summarize what was said by all and cover it in this quotation from one man: “In the broad and general sense I am not a candidate for the office or its emoluments, yet the position of speaker is one of such high honor that, while I am

i fully advised JL the groat rewonaibiiity and uomp-nsation attached *0 the position, the impelling motive that prompt* me to seek this important trust is certainly a laudable aspiration and worthy desire. Fortified with the belief that my experience in matters pertaining to legislation, coupled with an earnest purpose and unselfish aim to serve my fellowmen, justifies the modest belief that if considered competent and worthy I could creditably address myself to the duties of the chair and acceptably serve my peoplo first and party next.” They all talk like that. If your readers have any doubt I would advise that they consult with your local representative for corroboration—for the representative has certainly been talked to or written to. —•***— The history of the Indiana speakership makes an interesting study for the politician iu particular and the public in general. Without going beyond the recollection of the present generation I have made researches for 24 years, with a view to corroborate or explode an existant belief that the speakership is the stepping stone to higher and better things politically. In the session of 1871 William Mack presided over the house of representatives and at the succeeding session V4go again won the honor and William K. Edwards was chosen speaker. Neither of these gentlemen made a political record which has lived to the present day. David Turpie was made speaker in 1875. Ten years afterward he was elected United States senator, defeating ex-President Harrison after a contest of extraordinary interest. The fact that he had been speaker- seems to have had no direct bearing upon the honor then bestowed and which he now holds. The succeeding session put John Overmeyer of Jennings county over the house as guiding spirit, Republicans having a majority that year. Overmeyer was -afterward chairman of the Republican state central committee, but since has identified himself with the Democracy, advocating the election of Cleveland. His brother David, by the way, was defeated in Kansas at the late election as the Democratic candidate for governor. He was also formerly a Republican. In 1879 Henry S. Cauthorn of Knox and in 1881 William M. Ridpath of Clay were at the head of affairs and in 1883 William D. Bynum of Marion was chosen to preside. Mr. Bynum is the only man in the years reviewed who appears to have secured direct political advancement from his service as speaker, for in the succeeding cainpaign the Democrats of the capital city district nominated and elected him to congress. He has been there continuously since, but will retire at the close of the present session in favor of Charles L. Henry, Republican. Then came “Charley” Jewett of Floyd. He was prominent in ’BS and succeeded to the management of Democratic cainpaign affairs of the state. There was talk of making him either governor or congressman, but nothing came of the movements and he resumed law practice. Warren G. Sayre of Wabash was the speaker in 1887, the Republicans having carried the house in 1886. Mr. Sayre has been frequently spoken of for governor, but his name has never gone before a convention for that place. Under the Harrison administration he served as an Indian commissioner. He occupies, however, a prominent place in the councils of his party at the present time. Mason E. Niblack succeeded Mr. Sayre and served two terms. He was defeated for representative from Knox county in the last election, but is likely to be heard from again. James B. Curtis of Marion presided the last session. He was talked of as a possible opponent of Mr. Bynum for the congressional nomination, but declined to enter the race. He is young, however, and it is not believed that his political ambition has been appeased. This brings us down to the present struggle. Who is to be the uext and what his political fate?

There is interest also in an analysis for these years of the location from which speakers have hailed. To begin with, it is shown that on Marion county the honor was conferred in 1875, 1883 and 1893. Knox had the place in 1879 and again in ’B9 and ’9l, two terms being given Niblack. Vigo had it in '7l and ’73, and these two instances are, singularly enough, the only two in 24 years in which one county furnished the presiding officer for more than a single year. From Vigo to Marion, then to Jennings, then Knox, then Clay, then Marion again, then Floyd, then Wabash, then Knox and back once more to Marion has been the order of passing around the position. ■J? With all the candidates and the support given them by friends, there conies thus early the cry of combinations. I do not believe that any such have beeu made to date. In fact, I feel sure of it. It would not be a good politician who would enter into an agreement with any candidate for clerk or doorkeeper at this period, before the strength of any particular man shall have more fully developed. These are things of the future. They are inevitable, however, and I will give them proper attention as they are more clearly defined. *„■» * It can hardly be regarded as true that a majority of the Republican members have expressed a first and second choice for the speakership, and that the second choice is most likely to succeed, as is asserted by a local daily paper. #„* w Away back in 1816, when Indiana was a comparative wilderness and the capital was Corydon, Isaac Blackford presided over the state’s first legislature. Has the speaker any patronage? Yes, in one sense he has. He has the means of assisting men to prominence in the house by his committee appointments. He can punish an enemy or reward a friend. To be assigned to work of importance is of inestimable value to an ambitious politician. There are devious ways of seeking such recognition. It may be, therefore, that there is some truth in the assertion I have heard that some of the candidates for the position are only aspirants for the purpose of securing a pledge from a stronger candidate that a good place will be given hint on some good committee. If this is true you may look for a lessening of the list on the night of the caucus, if not before. Uxo. ,