History of the Indiana democracy, 1816-1916, Part 59

Author: Stoll, John B., 1843-1926
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Indianapolis : Indiana Democratic Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1104

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The record of Governor Ralston and his associates in office in the management of the finances of the State are especially commended. Under their administration the State debt has been paid, and, for the first time in over three-quarters of a cen- tury, Indiana is without a single dollar of indebtedness, while having a cash balance in its treasury.

The forethought shown in making the tax levy for the benevolent, penal and ed- ucational institutions of the State is com- mended, while Democratic control of both branches of the Legislature since 1911 is declared to have been marked by more con- structive, statesmanlike and progressive legislation than is traceable to any like period of Indiana's legislative history.

While congratulating the people of the State on the marked improvement of pub- lic highways, as made under Democratic administrations and laws, the party is placed on record as favoring legislation that will result in more permanently con- structed highways which can be more

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economically and efficiently kept in repair.

Legislation is pledged in the direction of more equalizing the burden of taxation and lowering the rate. Abolishment of the State sinking fund levy is declared pos- sible from having paid off the State debt.

Endorsement is given the present laws governing the liquor traffic in the State, with a declaration in favor of their strict enforcement. The Republicans are charged with cowardice in evading mention of the subject in their platform.

Additional labor legislation, wise and just, keeping in mind the interests of both employer and employes, is pledged. The last Legislature is commended for enact- ing the law providing for arbitration of labor disputes.

Legislation regulating the general de- murrer to pleadings in legal proceedings, thereby preventing undue delays, is ap- proved, with declaration for honest and economical government, home rule for municipalities, approval of the congres- sional record of John A. M. Adair, the par- ty's nominee for Governor, and laws for the betterment of country life are other features of this exceedingly elaborate State platform.

MOST OF THE NOMINATIONS MADE BY ACCLAMATION.

The distinctive feature of the conven- tion was the nomination of Thomas Tag- gart for United States Senator, to fill the unexpired term of Benjamin F. Shively. The demonstration in honor of Mr. Tag- gart admitted of no doubt as to the senti- ment of the convention. There was no question about most of the nominations being made by acclamation, because many of the candidates were unopposed. The convention quickly ratified the nomination of Senator John W. Kern and of John A. M. Adair for Governor, both of which were made by popular vote at the March primaries. Then the convention as quick- ly renominated Homer L. Cook for Secre- tary of State, Dale J. Crittenberger for Auditor of State, George A. Bittler for State Treasurer, and Phil Zoercher for Re- porter of the Supreme Court. They had no opposition. The convention, with like

speed, nominated E. B. Stotsenburg for Attorney-General, Douglas Morris and Charles E. Cox for Judges of the Supreme Court, and James A. Moran for Judge of the Appellate Court, because there was no opposition.

A genuine contest ensued over the nomi- nation of a candidate for Lieutenant-Gov- ernor. The Second district presented Ma- son J. Niblack, Vincennes ; the Fourth dis- trict, John C. Branaman, Brownstown; the Sixth district, Will A. Yarling, Shelby- ville, and when the Seventh district was called Charles B. Clarke, State Senator from Marion county, placed Fred Van Nuys of Indianapolis in nomination.

The ballot resulted as follows: Niblack, 461; Branaman, 217; Yarling, 288; Van Nuys, 397. There were 1,363 votes in the convention, making 682 necessary to a choice. No nomination resulting from the first ballot, the second was promptly or- dered.

The second ballot for Lieutenant-Gov- ernor resulted as follows: Niblack, 5221/2 ; Van Nuys, 4511/2; Yarling, 253; Brana- man, 136. There was no nomination and the third ballot was started. John B. Peterson of Crown Point served as chair- man of the convention while the third bal- lot for Lieutenant-Governor was in prog- ress.

The name of Leonard B. Clore was in- jected into the contest by Switzerland county, which cast seven votes for him. Tippecanoe county followed with one for Clore. Somebody raised the question that Clore could not be voted for, but the ques- tion was not pressed. Several other coun- ties followed with votes for Clore and every time such an announcement was made there was a shout from Clore enthu- siasts, who evidently sought to start a Clore band wagon rush.

Mr. Clore arose and made a speech. "When I made my race for the nomination for Governor at the primaries I said I would not run for Lieutenant-Governor. I

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am in the habit of doing what I say I will do. I believe the men who have made this race are entitled to your support. I ap- preciate your votes, but I want to support one of the other candidates." There was wild disorder when Clore finished his speech. It was noticed that he did not say he would refuse to accept the nomination. "Clore! Clore! Clore!" came from all over the hall with a prolonged roar.

The third ballot resulted as follows: Niblack, 558 19-20; Van Nuys, 444 19-20; Yarling, 201 19-20; Branaman, 98 19-20; Clore, 581/8. There was no nomination. Branaman announced his withdrawal from the race, and this started another Clore demonstration.

When the fourth ballot was started it looked as if the Clore band wagon might rush straight down the center aisle. Nearly all of the counties gave him some votes.

The fourth ballot resulted as follows: Niblack, 576 6-15; Van Nuys, 298 11-15; Yarling, 142 11-15; Clore, 331 6-15. There was no nomination. Yarling announced his withdrawal, and the fifth ballot started.

Niblack was nominated on the fifth bal- lot, the vote being as follows: Niblack, 8941/2; Van Nuys, 1601/2 ; Clore, 352.

Samuel L. Scott of Jeffersonville had no difficulty in winning the nomination for State Superintendent of Public Instruc- tion. The other candidate was Daniel C. McIntosh of Worthington. The total vote was: Scott, 9011/2 ; McIntosh, 4611/2.

S. W. Kann was nominated on the third ballot for State Statistician. This race started with six candidates. They were: Kann, George D. Franklin, Lafayette; Thomas W. Brolley, the present statisti- cian; Richard Beer, Osgood; William Black, Rushville, and Joseph P. Hemphill, Rising Sun. It was urged against Brolley that he had had enough. He was elected to the office of Statistician and then the Legislature of 1915 extended his term two years, thus giving him a six-year incum-

bency. Evidently this argument carried some weight. His name finally was with- drawn. Kann was a strong contender for the nomination from the start. He had the solid support of the Twelfth district, besides what he picked up elsewhere and what was given him by the Marion county delegation-106 votes.

THE TICKET AS FINALLY NOMINATED.

Governor-John A. M. Adair, Portland.

Lieutenant-Governor-Mason J. Niblack, Vin- cennes.

Senator, Long Term-John W. Kern, Indianap- olis.

Senator, Short Term-Thomas Taggart, French Lick.

Secretary of State-Homer L. Cook, Indianap- olis.

Auditor of State-Dale J. Crittenberger, Ander- son.

Treasurer of State-George A. Bittler, Ft. Wayne.

Attorney-General-Evan B. Stotsenburg, New Albany.

Supreme Court, Second District-Douglas Mor- ris, Rushville.

Supreme Court, Third District-Charles E. Cox, Indianapolis.

Appellate Court, Northern Division-James J. Moran, Portland.

Reporter of Supreme Court-Philip Zoercher, Tell City.

Judge Appellate Court, First District-John C. McNutt, Martinsville.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction- Samuel L. Scott, New Albany.

State Statistician-S. W. Kann, Ligonier.

DEMOCRATIC STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE

-1916.

1. Benjamin Bosse, Evansville.

2. John W. Cravens, Bloomington.

3. Bomar Traylor, Jasper.

4. Charles H. Wagner, Columbus.

5. A. J. Hamrick, Greencastle.

6. Walter S. Chambers, Newcastle.

7. Bernard Korbly, Indianapolis.

8. William A. Kunkel, Bluffton.

9. W. Riley Dunham, Kempton.

10. Henry J. Lehman, Crown Point.

11. Frank D. Butler, Peru.

12. E. G. Hoffman, Fort Wayne.

13. Estil A. Gast, Warsaw. Bernard Korbly, Chairman.

Upon his election as national committee-

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man Mr. Hoffman of the Twelfth district resigned and was succeeded by M. H. L. Luecke of Fort Wayne.

Election for members of State Commit- tee was held April 4. Under the primary election law members of this committee are chosen by the chairmen of the county committees of the various congressional districts.

EX-AUDITOR WILLIAM H. O'BRIEN.

For quite a while it seemed to have been taken for granted that former State Audi- tor William H. O'Brien would be the Dem- ocratic nominee for Governor in 1916. He had devoted and enthusiastic friends in all parts of the State who would have glad- ly given him earnest support. His record as State Auditor was without flaw and de- noted sincerest devotion to conscientious performance of public duty. He is of his- toric Democratic stock, his honored father, Cornelius O'Brien, having for years been a leader of the Dearborn county Democ- racy. Was born at Lawrenceburg, Au- gust 22, 1855. William H. O'Brien served fourteen years as Mayor of Lawrenceburg, and gave such thorough satisfaction as to make re-election a certainty as long as he could be induced to serve in that capacity. He received his largest majority upon his fifth and last election. In a business way he was associated with his father-in-law, Dr. W. H. D. Hunter, in the publication of the Lawrenceburg Register and in the management of the Citizens' National Bank. Later on Mr. O'Brien consolidated the Citizens' National Bank and the Peo- ple's National Bank, and is now President of the People's National Bank of Law- renceburg. It was rare, indeed, that a Democratic country newspaper and a na- tional bank were thus allied and conducted in the same building-the bank below and the print shop above.

For six years (1902 to 1908) he served ably and most acceptably as chairman of the Democratic State Committee. After Mr. O'Brien concluded that he had been

in municipal service long enough he was made a member of the State Senate, in which capacity he represented his constit- uency and the people of the State in gen- eral in a way that amply attested his worth as an efficient, painstaking and con- scientious legislator. In 1910 he was nomi- nated and elected to the office of State Au- ditor, and triumphantly re-elected in 1912. During his four years of public service he gave the State the full benefit of his supe- rior business qualifications and his keen financial judgment. Persons familiar with his administration freely accord to him the praise of having taken high rank among the most capable custodians of important State offices. He has ever regarded pub- lic office as a public trust, and acted ac- cordingly. In view of the superb record to which he can point with pardonable pride it will hardly be wondered that a strong sentiment developed throughout the State to make him its chief executive, and that keen disappointment was felt when announcement came that, for pri- vate and business reasons, he could not persuade himself to become a candidate for that high office.

His family consists of a devoted wife, three daughters, and three sons. They are the joy of his life. The family man- ages to have frequent reunions. One son, Robert Emmett, graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, is now first lieutenant in the Fifth Infantry and is stationed at Panama Canal Zone. The youngest son (Wm. H., Jr.) graduated from the United States Navy at Annapolis and is now lieutenant in the navy. At this writing he is in command of the Alaskan Radio expedition, and mas- ter of a 5,000-ton ship.

Mr. O'Brien is very happily situated, carefree and contented. This he could hardly expect to be were he engaged in an exciting and exacting political campaign. His time amply occupied in the supervi- sion of extensive business interests, there

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is no likelihood of his becoming rusty. With the experience he has had in public life it is easy for him to realize that polit- ical honors are fleeting; that they fade like the flowers, and that the beauty of each is soon forgotten. Real home life is comforting and enduring. Mr. O'Brien has every reason to congratulate himself on being situated as he is and on having decided to serve his party in the ranks in- stead of seeking leadership. His official service extends over a goodly number of years. It must be a source of unbounded satisfaction to him to be enabled to say truthfully that at no time was his record ever tarnished in the slightest degree.

CHARLES A. GREATHOUSE.

Another gentleman who gained an en- viable reputation as a State official was quite generally discussed in Democratic circles as a suitable candidate for Gov- ernor. This is Charles A. Greathouse, Superintendent of Public Instruction for three terms. He had earnest supporters in various parts of the State, and would doubtless have had enthusiastic backing at the primaries had he not positively declared that under no circumstances would he con- sent to the use of his name in connection with the gubernatorial nomination. He felt that close application to the diligent discharge of his duties as Superintendent of the Public Schools, and the exactions incident thereto, entitled him to a respite from the cares and responsibilities of pub- lic office. Besides, he recognized the fact that increasing business interests demand- ed some attention that would not admit of being neglected or ignored about the time when he would be relieved of official duty.

Charles A. Greathouse was born July 17, 1869, on a farm in Posey county, and reared thereon. In the days of his youth he had practical experience with all kinds of farm work. He attended the district school in Posey county and later was grad- uated from both the common schools and

the high school of Mt. Vernon. Attended the Central Normal College at Danville, Ind., from 1886 to 1888, and Indiana Uni- versity from 1890 to 1893. Duly equipped for educational work, he taught one year in the district school in Posey county, in the farthest school house in the southwest part of Indiana, just two miles from where the Wabash river empties into the Ohio river. Subsequently he taught six months in Hendricks county in a log school house familiarly known as "Sixty Cents," and located in the northwest corner of Brown township. Was Superintendent of the Boys' School at Plainfield for two years, resigning this position to enter Indiana University. Taught in the elementary and high schools of Mt. Vernon from 1894 to 1895, resigning his position there to ac- cept the county superintendency, to which office he was elected in 1895. Served as county superintendent of Posey county for ten years, resigning in 1905 to accept the presidency of the People's Bank and Trust Company. He moved to Indianapolis in 1908 and was appointed by Governor Thomas R. Marshall on the 10th of No- vember, 1910, to fill out the unexpired term of Robert J. Aley, State Superintend- ent of Public Instruction. Was elected to office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction in the fall of 1910, re-elected in the fall of 1912, and for a third term re- elected in the fall of 1914. He made an unsuccessful race for this office in 1900, at a time when Democratic nominations were regarded as purely complimentary affairs.

Important legislative enactments se- cured during Mr. Greathouse's adminis- tration as State Superintendent of Public Instruction may be thus enumerated :

(1) Provision for Uniform High School text books.

(2) Provision for State High School In- spector.

(3) Vocational Education Law, carry- ing with it an amendment to the Compul-

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sory Education Law, raising the age limit from fourteen to sixteen years.

(4) Amendment to the Minimum Wage Law, whereby provision is made for high- er wages for teachers with longer experi- ence.

(5) Pension Law for teachers.

(6) Modification of License Law.

Mr. Greathouse was married in 1903 to Erma Stanhope Ribeyre of New Harmony. He is the father of two children, Charles and Harriet, aged respectively eleven and . nine. Whether Mr. Greathouse shall de- vote the remainder of his life to business pursuits or, in deference to public demand, again take upon himself the performance of official duties, in truth it may be said an enviable record has been made by him in the promotion of educational interests to which he and those near and dear to him may ever point with pride. The in- terests of the school children of Indiana were jealously guarded during all the years of Mr. Greathouse's efficient admin- istration.

JOHN A. M. ADAIR, NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR.

Remarkable indeed is the political rec- ord of John Alfred McDowell Adair, whom the Democrats of Indiana at primary elec- tion designated by overwhelming majority as their choice for Governor, and which action the convention ratified by vocifer- ous acciaim. He was born in Jay county, Indiana, December 22, 1863; removed to Portland in 1880; attended the high school there, engaged in business; was elected clerk of the city of Portland in 1888; pro- moted to clerk of Jay county in 1890; studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1895; elected representative to the Gen- eral Assembly of Indiana in 1902; engaged in the banking business and made a suc- cess thereof. In 1906 he was nominated for Congress by the Democracy of the Eighth district-up to that time one of the Republican strongholds in the State. Dis- sension in the Republican ranks helped to

break the ice. Mr. Adair was triumphant- ly elected. His manner of campaigning was an eye-opener to the old stagers who, up to this day, cannot understand how Mr. Adair managed not only to be elected and four times re-elected in a Republican dis- trict, but that his majority became more decisive at each try-out. His marvelous achievements in this particular amply jus- tified all the claims set up in his behalf by those who championed his nomination for the governorship. While not at all pre- tentious as to the possession of superior oratorical powers, it is but presenting sim- ple truth when the statement is made that Mr. Adair takes rank among the most ef- fective campaigners in the State. His simplicity of argumentation commends it- self to thoughtful voters, and in a measure accounts for the remarkable successes that crowned his efforts in five consecutive con- gressional contests.

Upon being presented to the convention as Indiana Democracy's selection for the gubernatorial chair he was given an ova- tion that could not have been otherwise than gratifying. Thereupon he delivered a necessarily brief address, the character of which may be judged by the vigor of these introductory paragraphs :

"In accepting this honor I promise you now, that if God will give me the health and the strength, I will go into all parts of every county in this State, preaching the gospel of Democracy and presenting to the people the splendid work of both our State and national administrations, con- fidently believing that when the ides of November come, when the smoke of battle shall have cleared away and the ballots have been counted, Woodrow Wilson will continue to rule in the White House, John Kern and Tom Taggart will occupy seats in the United States Senate, our splendid State officials will continue in their present positions, and, if you want to see me, come to the Governor's office of Indiana.

"When inaugurated as your Governor, I shall give to that office the best there is in me. The highest ambition I will have will be to render a service that will merit for me the endorsement, the confidence

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and the respect of all the people of In- diana, regardless of party. The laws of the State shall be and will be enforced to the letter. I shall insist on the strictest economy in the administration of the af- fairs of the State, and will see to it that not a dollar of the people's money is wasted. I shall give the subject of taxa- tion special study and consideration, to the end that taxes may be equalized and the burden of taxation reduced to the lowest possible limit.

"I shall see that our charitable, benevo- lent and correctional institutions are prop- erly managed, and that the unfortunate inmates are cared for in a way that will be creditable to our State. Having in mind the welfare of those who earn their bread by daily toil, I shall urge legislation that will do justice to both capital and labor, to the end that the strong may not trample on the rights of the weak, but that every man may have a square deal and an equal opportunity under the law. I shall oppose special privilege in every form, and insist on such progressive legislation as the people will demand. I shall stand for clean government and the advancement of civic righteousness in all parts of the State. I will strive to make Indiana the model State of the Union, in which our boys and girls can be reared to manhood and womanhood and sent out in life to bless the world and mankind."

Mr. Adair's running mate is Mason J. Niblack of Vincennes. He has an exten- sive acquaintance throughout the State, most of which was gained during the years of his connection with the State Board of Agriculture. As a member of that body he rendered service that will long be appreciably remembered by per- sons interested in making State Fairs en- joyable, educational, and progressively in- structive from an agricultural point of view. He served several terms in the Gen- eral Assembly, and by reason of his supe- rior knowledge of parliamentary law and his capacity for legislative work was made Speaker of the House several decades ago. Professionally he is a lawyer. He is a son of the late William E. Niblack, who was for years the close associate of Hendricks, McDonald, Turpie, Voorhees, Holman and

Kerr in the leadership of the party and rounded out his eventful career by distin- guished service on the Supreme Bench of the State.

The entire State ticket is made up of men of established reputation as to fitness, qualification and worthiness. As to what the popular response to the action of the party is likely to be was forecasted by Sen- ator Thomas Taggart when he uttered these inspiring words to his enthusiastic co-workers :

"Our Republican friends have neither an issue nor a candidate to take before the people with any hope of winning in the coming campaign. On no imagined issue can they assail with success any act of the administration of Woodrow Wilson. On no issue can they successfully attack the wonderfully progressive and constructive work of the administration of Governor Samuel M. Ralston, which stands by itself in the splendid record of accomplishments among all the administrations in the first 100 years of the State's history. As Dem- ocrats we go before the people in 1916 proud of all we have done in Nation and State, and confident of victory with the greatest majority ever achieved in polit- ical contest or by any party."

RECORD TO WHICH PARTY POINTS WITH PRIDE.

As already stated, the keynote of the campaign for 1916 was sounded by Gov- ernor Samuel M. Ralston, whose record is such as to give unusual weight to anything he may say with reference to promises and the redemption thereof. Among the many reasons set forth in his incisive keynote speech why the Democracy of Indiana had a right to ask of the electorate a continu- ance of Democratic ascendancy, Governor Ralston instanced these :

"A few years ago the Republican party and the Progressive party sought to outdo each other in extreme platform declara- tions-which they both labeled Progress- iveism. They threw conservatism to the wind and entered upon a campaign of rad- ical and doubtful declamation. Their thun- dering throughout the State shook the

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very foundations of free government, and the people stood aghast at the assaults these parties were making upon the faith of the fathers.

"But the Democratic party was true to the traditions of the Republic and the peo- ple supported us. My word for it, there was not a sane and conservative measure found in either of those platforms that has not since been enacted into law by the Democratic party, and in addition many other helpful laws have been passed by our party. Our party is conservatively progressive and progressively conserva- tive. It knows enough about government to know that the American people are op- posed to extremes and to emotionalism in governmental enactments and policies, and for this reason it opposes with equal ear- nestness the platform that seeks to over- throw the well-settled principles of our government and the platform that abounds in colorless platitudes.

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History of the Indiana democracy, 1816-1916, Part 59

Author: Stoll, John B., 1843-1926 Publication date: 1917 Publisher: Indianapolis : Indiana Democratic Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Stoll, John B., 1843-1926
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Indianapolis : Indiana Democratic Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1104