The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-09-16
TAGGART NEEDED BACKING
Democratic State Committee Bolsters
Him Upwith a"Vote of Confidence"
Worried About the Gerrymander Suit-Unex-
pected Interview Gotten by False Pre-
tenses-That Tin Plate "Ad."
DEMOCRATS IN CONFERENCE.

Arranging to Fight the Gerrymander Suit
Tagrart Gets a Vote of Confidence.
AS announced in the Journal. the State
central committee and the State executive
committee of the Indiana Democracy yes
terday assembled at the party h%eadQuar-
ters. 1t was the first meeting since the
Chicago convention and il was time. as q
member said. that a meeting should be
called. The attendance was all
that could be. desired in point
of numbers, every member be-
ing present. 1t was q little better than
Chairman Taggart desired. for there was
too much inquisitiveness as to the conduct
of the campaign to suit him.. Some of the
old stagers in politics, who do not like the
way things are running, persisted in ask
ing pointed'questions. Mr.. Taggart, it is
welI-known. learned what of politics he
knows from the party saint, Simeon Coy,
and thoroughly believes that the effective
methods of politics are SO dark that the
fewer men In control the better.
1t. therefore, made his face burn
and bis heart quail to hear his plans crit
lclsed as puerile and his results ridlculed
when he yielded TO the demand to render
an account of his stewardship. His report
bHOWcu AK niot pun tbhCus no ohiu, d -
Democratic majority. Its size. bo~ever;
was not such as would stand q sixty days
shrinkaGe after Republican speakers are
beard, and the old foxes in party control
the least faith In il. They demanded to
know what are causes for such n state
of things as the poll-takers had fOund.
I'm answer to that demand" Chairman
Taggart is reported to have said by one of
those who believes IN the old ways of doing
fhlnua "a han linn R1cA xyaR IN control II
have only this to say. 1t Is probably area
eOnable question 1t gentlemen doubt the
soundness of this poll. There is no deny
ing our sss are LEAVING Tss us IN s soms
went to Martin county recently TO
make q speech. and that was his
report to me-. Our speakers all confirm
what he said. Most of the trouble comes
especially the tax law. Another source of
loss TO us Is the old soldier vote, which, as
you know. was offended by Cleveland. We
have put Col. Is. G. Shaw out In the field to
keep them in line. and TO keep him in line.
but he published an appeal to the party just
before the Chicago convention. not to nom-
mate Cleveland. He used language which
had an effect that cannot be counteracted
as yet. L don't know much about the
tariff. but | lind that tho free-trade plank
10 not as popular as some OF our speakers
told me it would be. That. gentlemen, Is
the %situation. What can you suggest 10
improve itf'
The Chairman's closing remark was q
fortunate one. 1t moderated the tenor or
the criticism, for most OF those present had
insisted on mistakes at Chicago which led
to the nomination OF the Stuffed Prophet.
The spirit of moderation went SO far that
some one felt pity for the chairman
In Mr.. Tsggsrt's work. 1t was adopted.
but without much show of sincerity. Mr..
Taggart was still IN q perturbed frame OF
mind last night. when seen By o Journal
reporter. and answered perfectly fair ques-
tioDs in q singulariy ,rrited way, not at all
like himself. The reporter suggested that
perhaps he had been''roasted" during the
day, to whIch Mr.. Taggart replied:
IF you could have seen the resolution
that was adopted you would not think so".
Mr.. Taggart did not explain why there
was any occasion for g vote of confidence.
A motion of this kind is not q hollow FORM
atty, but bears a mountain of significance.
The committee received q report from
Secretary Sheerin. of the nations; commit
tee. 1t Is supposed be had a message from
the Prophet himself, but if a written conf
municatiOn, this is one of the Stuffed's let
tiers that has as Yet not come to the sur
face. Mr.. Sbeerin was much interested IN
the gerrymander suit, and was an attent-
i've listener while the subject was
discussed. When his advice was
asked he urged that every means
be taken TO prevent an adverse decision
W wv bupiCIuO SOulG ~ 10 doculutCll
necessary. he said, that the best legal tai
ent in the State should be retained to de-
fend the spportionment. 1t was argued
that there is too much at stake
in the way of q seDatorsbip and
the influence upon the pending cleo
tion to neglect any effort. Chairman
Taggart said hc had received the offer of
services from q hundred lawyers, and that
the defense would be made as strong as
possible. This was satisfactory to the com
mitteemen and Mr.. Sheerin. Mr.. Taggarr
refused to give the names or the attorneys
to the Journal reporter.
There was other business transacted,
but more of a routine nature. The need of
money was referred to. and the executive
committee was instructed to see the can
didates. These have already pald the
customary percentage, but the demand for
money 10 of the BRUTAL kind that will
brook no refusal. IL was argued that
the candidates have nearly all
enjoyed fat OH ces one term, and should be
willing to help in a cause 80 plainly TO
their benefit. The meeting adjourned late
In the afternoon. James Murdock re-
manned over to have a private talk with
Chairman Taggarr and gently show him
the weak points in his conduct of the cam
paign.