People's Pilot, Volume 4, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 December 1894 — THE APPORTIONMENT [ARTICLE]

THE APPORTIONMENT

GENERAL HARRISON ADVISES THE PASSAGE OF A NEW LAW. Pro and Con Argument on the Subject, Particulars of an Interesting Contest For State Librarian—Plenty of People Want to Be Governor—Political Gossip. [Special Correspondence.] Indianapolis, Dec. 11.—In the line of exclusive information I have for your readers this week a bit of gossip with regard to a reapportionment for legislative and congressional purposes. It willbe recalled that the Republican members of the state senate have held two conferences here since the election, and that at the first it was decided to enact such a law. It is with regard to this determination that I have secured a piece of news hitherto unpublished. What would be the attitude of senators on this question was certainly unknown before the conference, and in consequence the leaders thought advice an essential in affecting their judgment. To whom did they apply? I have it on the best authority that it was to no less a personage than ex-Pres-ident Harrison, who furnished an opinion that there could be no question of the legality of an apportionment that would deal fairly with all parties, it being the argument that there is at present no constitutional apportionment in effect and that when a test comes in the courts between the present law and one to be enacted there is but one way of deciding. This opinion by the ex-presi-dent was indorsed by a federal court judge on the district bench, and to these opinions is attributed more than to anything else the positive talk of senators that the new law will be nothing else than “fair and just.” It is the Democratic contention that the existing law is fair and just in its distributions, and the recent elections are often cited as evidence of this claim. In addition, Democrats answer the Republican assertion that the law was not passed at the proper time by the assertion that it had to be passed in a year other than that provided by the constitution, the supreme court having left the state without any apportionment law by its decision in the case attacking the law of 1891, and that on this ground the existing act is unassailable. -***- In this connection it is stated that the Democratic members of both branches will ignore the apportionment measure entirely, claiming that it is unconstitutional to enact such a law at this time. Governor Matthews will undoubtedly veto the bill when it reaches him. It is altogether probable that the Democratic members of the house and senate committees on this subject will refuse to have any part in the committee -work or that minority members will vote when the measure,is put upon its passage. —— Smiley N. Chambers, Republican, recently gave utterance to the opinion that his party was doing wrong in preparing to redistrict the state, contending that the constitution provided but one time for such an act, and that this date was not the proper one. Mr. Chambers claimed that an appeal to the people on this issue at the next election would be the most effective means of securing success. It is hardly necessary, in view of what has been said above, for me to add that Mr. Chambers’ arguments have not met with hearty approval in his own party.

The apportionment committees named by the senate conference are as follows; Congressional: Vail, White, Sweeney, Leyden, Mull, McCord, Craner, Wish, ard, Kern, Phares, Beck, LaFollett, McDonald. Legislative: Wishard, Houghton, Bethel, Leyden, Johnson, McKelvey, Shiveley, McLean, O’Brien, Gostlin, Baker, McManus and Crumpacker. —coColton it was who wrote that “women dp not like a man the worse for having piany favorites if he deserts them all for her.” And what, an excellent opportunity is given for man to desert about 20 others for one in the race for state librarian. A perfect bevy of them are seeking the place, and seeking it dilu gently. It is this diligence which is causing a good many members-elect to wish they had never attained such distinguished honors, if not to wish they had never been born. The position has been for some years conceded to the women, the only exception in recent years being its bestowal upon Jacob P. Dunn, at present editorial writer on The Sentinel, four years ago by the Democrats. After one term Mr. Dunn exerted himself in behalf of the elf or t made to restore the position to woman, and was an active supporter of Miss Ahern, the present incumbent. Some Republicans say there is no likelihood that a change in the programme will be made this year, although several men are competitors against the fair ones for recognition. Among these are Dr. M. N. Elrod of Hartsville, who was defeated for the nomination for state geologist; John C. Ochiltree of Marion, who formerly lived in Danville and is well known through newspaper work; James East of Indianapolis, formerly a pension office clerk; Benjamin S. Parker of Newcastle, who is poet, editor and ex-county officer; L. B. Brown of Lebanon, George W. Newkirk of West Middletown, and Mr. Ensley of Shelbyville, with possibly others. Jt is possible that no increase of male aspirants will be reported. Mrs. Virginia Meredith of Cambridge City, who was announced early in the campaign, reported as having withdrawn. Among the women candidates whom I hear most mentioned are Ida May Davis of Huntington, who has a reputation in literary work; Miss Nancy Baker of Indianapolis, daughter of the late ex-Gov-ernor Conrad Baker and at present in the city library; Miss Zern of Peru, daughter of the mayor of that city; Miss Annie Carver of Indianapolis, who is private secretary to James R. Carnahan, commander of the U. R. of the K. of P.; Mrs. Pauline Norvell Pearson of Bloomington, who is a soldier’s widow and has been engaged in literary work; Miss Lillian S. Welton of Vincennes; Mrs. Martha Gossett of Indianapolis; Miss Azbill of Madison and Mrs. Davidson of Peru, who is the widow of a soldjar and who on a nrior occasion.

when the Republicans were in a minority, secured the caucus nomination. The correctness of the view that the above position is to go to a woman cannot be too positively relied upon, I think, in view of the number of men who are pressing for the place and who are asserting that it will be so much better politics to choose a man. I heard one argue the other day that it would never do to offend so many women by selecting one from the long list of seekers, but his theory is exploded by the additions recently made from among those of his own sex. —%*— Robert A. Brown of Franklin and R. B. Oglesby of Plymouth have been in the city a good deal recently. Brown wants to be clerk of the house. His only opponent is Ben Prather of Marion, Orange or Crawford county. Brown is conceded to have the best chance of any candidate for a subordinate place in the legislature. He didn’t miss being nominated for clerk of the supreme court by a great many votes. Oglesby, who is chairman of the Thirteenth district committee, wants to be secretary of the senate and has been looking after his chances.

It will not be strictly in line with legislative gossip, but will doubtless afford interesting divertisement to refer to the number of Republicans in Indiana who at this date are recognized as aspixants for governor two years hence. This list was prepared by a well informed politician, who handed it to me with the remark that “everyone of them is setting up pins for the nomination:” Beginning with the capital city, there are John L. Griffiths, Smiley N. Chambers, John M. Butler, Addison C. Harris and Caleb S. Denny. From over the state there are Charles F. Griffin of Hammond, James S. Dodge of Elkhart, Warren G. Sayre of Wabash, Charles E. Everett of Fort Wayne, Will Cumback of Greensburg, Frank B. Posey of Evansville, Theodore Shockney of Union City, Henry U. Johnson of Richmond, James T. Johnston of Rockville, Robert J. Tracewell of Corydon and William D. Owen of Logansport. There are possibilities that to this list could justly be added the names of John K. Gowdy of Rushville, chairman of the Republican state committee; Senator L. P. Newby of Knightstown, who has been chosen president pro tem. of the next session, and James E. Watson of Rushville, who may shy his castor into the ring in case his reapportioned district does not suit him. # # e — * My Democratic friends say it is altogether too early to commence figuring on the possibilities of two years hence, but assure me that there will be plenty of material to select from. An astute politician has made the observation that should there not be an army of aspirants, as in the opposing party, there will not be the same extent of disappointment. Captain William R. Myers and ex-Attorney General Green Smith, however, I hear mentioned occasionally as not being averse to making the race, and it has been suggested that William S. Holman may be urged from his section of the state.

*_* Senator Leonidas Perry Newby, who has been selected president pro tern of the senate, had his first legislative experience two years ago, representing the counties of Henry and Fayette. In that session he took rank among the leaders. He is a practicing lawyer and had never held an elective office before being sent to the senate. Mr. Newby is about 40 years old. He is of medium hight, heavy enough to tip the scales at 180 to 190 pounds, and his head has a rather sparse growth of light curly hair. His complexion approaches the florid and his eyes are of pronounced grayish-blue, His voice is pitched in a high key and it will be no difficulty for it to penetrate the senate chamber, whether from the president’s desk or from the place of a member on the floor. His style of oratory is rather of the demonstrative kind —the sort that is pounded in with gesticulations, movements up and down the aisle and rising and lowering inflections of the voice. It is expected that within a week there may be some changes in the speakership race, but thus far none have been reported. Withdrawals are predicted by some of the candidates with whom I have talked, but none has volunteered to suggest who may conclude to turn his support here or there in the struggle, and thus alter what may now be regarded as favorable indications for one man or another. -%*- Friday next Joseph Swain, president of the State university; Superintendent Goss of this city, J. N Study of Richmond, R. I. Hamilton of Huntington. Quitman Jackson of Greenfield, J. O. Lewellyn of Muncie and W. W. Pfrimmer of Kentland, comprising a committee named by Indiana school teachers, will meet in this city to further consider legislation to be asked in behalf of the profession and the student. The most important questions to be considered, and upon which some recommendations will be made, are the school tax law, county and state superintendencies. library law and other subjects of direct interest. The taking effect of the income tax law Jan. 1 will make necessary the appointment of an additional revenue deputy, and these places are to be filled from among the Democrats. In this district Morgan A. Price and A. T. Springstein are applicants for the position. —*»*— The political novelty of the past week has been furnished by ex-Speaker Mason J. Niblack of Knox county, who has been here and exhibited a surprising loyalty to his home. It will be recalled that Mason was beaten for representative by B. M. Willoughby. Willoughby is among the hosts who wants to bg speaker. I found Niblack circulating among the Republican politicians at the Denison house the other day and telling members of the next legislature that Willoughby was the best man they could select for speaker. He was working nearly as hard as when he was himself the aspirant a few’ years ago. That sort of political fellow’ship is rare. —%♦— Dr. J. C. Wright of Russiaville has announced his ambition to become assistant clerk of the house and C. H. Alwes of Seymour is willing to serve as assistant secretary in the senate. Umo.