The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-08-16

something to live on. but in 1s49 he
formed a partnership with the late John
L. Ketcham and after that confined him
self TO the law.
He worked his way up slowly. What
he made he held and in a few years
he came To be known over the state
IS peculiarly sl1illful and able in the
preparation Of cases for the supreme
court. That reputation he kept and in
creased until his death.
In 1858 Judge Taylor and Gen John
COburn formed a partnership which
lasted for about three years. In 1872
he formed a partnership with his son,
Edwin, and Judge Rand, one Of the
first judges Of the superior court, which
was maintained until Judge Taylor's
election to the superior bench in 1852
In 1864 he was nominated for reporter
of the superior court against Gen. Ben
jamin Harrison and beaten. and he was
frequently talked of for the nomination
for the supreme bench. He stood among
the first lawyers of the state for erudi-
tion and sound judgment, and among
the first citizens of indianapolis for all
the qualities of good citizenship.
There are probably few men who have
been elevated TO the bench in this state
to whose lot, within a single decade, has
/ fallen the burdensOme responsibility Of
considering and deciding q larger num-
Der OF gravely important causes in liti-
cation, and one has but 10 refer TO the
records TO learn that during his long
term OF office. there have been few
judges in Indiana whose decisions have
been so generally affirmed by the
supreme court OF the state as those Of
Judge Taylor. Among the many men,
orable cases he decided We're the re-
ceiverships Of the Eaele machine works
the Indiana ranking company and the
| banking business of Fletcher * Sharpe,
bonds in the latter being fixed at ST.
| 100000 other rcceiNerships We're those
Cf the Indianapolis car and manufacture
ing company. Receiver Henry being
compelled 10 give S253o50 bond.
Probably no case ever tried in an
American court Of law attracted such
widespread attention as that which re-
suited in the appointment of Il receiver
! for the supreme sitting, order Of the Iron
| Hail. for il wound up a long continued
course Of robbery of the poor through
I ont the United states, which had as
/ sumed proportions SO gigantic that they
were positively startling. Receiver Fai-
ley was required to furnish a $1,000. 900
bond.
The great street railway strike. with
all its many desperate hardships is still
fresh in the minds Of Indianapolis peo-
pie. Judge Taylor had given the situa-
| ton much deep and earnest thought.
He was troubled, for he saw unless an
immediate and wholesome amelioration
Of prevailing conditions could be effected,
the near approach OF the worst possible
results to the community and so. when,
| at his residence that memorable midnight
! meeting, the onerOus question Of taking
the government of the street railway
lines out Of the hands Of the company
was presented he was prepared for the
emergency and arose TO the gravity OF
the hour. He listened intently to the
reading Of the complaint and those who
were present will never forget his words
as he arose to his feet and with his
clinched hand down within the grasp OF
the other said:
Gentlemen, I will candidly say that I
have not gone down deeply into the law
as il bears upon this matter, and I GER
tainly do not wish to err. but I do know
that somewhere along the line Of this
street railroad difficulty some one Is
guilty Of serious Wrong-doing which Is
working serious hardship TO the people.
l believe the time has come 10 call a
halt in the interest Of the community
and I shall appoint the receiver. Who
will be the right man for the place2
]. c. Shaffer was named and then some
one suggested '"rom Steele"
Il shall appoint W. T. Steele. gentle
men," said Judge Taylor with marked
decision of tone. You may go now,
and when you have perfected Mr.. Steele's
bond bring it TO me for approval and I
viii at once place him in custody Of the
street railroad property. The cars must
start this morning"
And thus was the street railroad
trouble ended.
Judge Taylor was elected superior
Judge in 1882. defeating John L. McMas-
ters. In 1856 he defeated Judge Livings-
ton HOwland by a majority Of nearly
5000 and again i'm 1890 he defeated Vim
son Carter by a majority Of over $4,000.