The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-10-06
, BEER soIREE IN THE FOURTH.
Taggart Has Another One of His
Free-Li0uOr Affairs.

There was another Democratic beer soiree
last evening In the hall over Chris Mich
els saloon. which stands on the southwest
corner Of Sugar Grove and Miller avenues.
in the vicinity of the cerealine works.
Democratic enthusiasm and beer filled those
in attendance. Mr.. Taggart. with two
friends, called during the early part of the
evening, so the managers told those who
got there late. Thereafter the beer flowed
and a general good time was enjoyed. A
number of respectable-looking citizens de-
parted, apparently much Disguised witt
the proceedings, but the majority remained,
drinking, smoking. listening to stories and
swearing allegiance to the Democratic
ticket. The hall where the meeting was
held is above the saloon, and it is reached
by a back stairway. The stairway opens
into the saloon, and last evening the sa-
loon door was open, while the one leading
from the street was closed, with the blinds
drawn. There are no screens in front of
the saloon, and a view of the interior Is
easily obtained. A man, a woman and a
little girl. probably eight years Of age,
were in the bar room last evening while
the crowd came down in groups to tank
up The little girl could not help but
hear the coarse jests. She had in her hand
a silver dollar, and she was heard TO ask
the woman:
who were those gentleman
Il don't know. replied the mother, as
she wiped of the bar.
Just think, / sometimes get a penny or
a nickel, or a dime, but one of those men
gave me a whole dollar
Another group of the supporters of
Thomas Taggart came down for a round
of drinks and the child's remarks were
drowned at the same time by applause
from the hall above.
porter was stopped by two rougn-looking
men, one of whom demanded:
Nv. "Mhere In the h. are you ~goingg,
You're all right" said the man who
talked. n the reporter was allowed TO
was being held was sitting with beer fumes
and tobacco smoke. A young man was
trying to entertain the audience with a
song, accompanied by a guitar. His voice
was husky. but when he had finished he
was given a storm of applause. There
were recitations, speeches and more music,
with several attempts at dancing, and ev-
erybody appeared to be feeling good.
Has Mr. Taggart com out yet?' was
asked one man.
II don't know" he answered. aft the
same time turning his back.
Between the selections there would be a
rush to the bar below. The beer seemed
to be free. IL II was not those who drank
were running chalk accounts on the board.
On\ the sidewalks near the rear entrance
OF the saloon, stood a half dozen men dis
rs II all right to leave that mob" asked
one.
Yes" replied another, several of the
fellows are up there. They will manage
things all right" The group walked away,
giving a drunken man who came from the
stairway a wide berth. The drunken man
seized a sapling while he looked around to
get his bearings.
When is Mr.. Taggart coming out" was
asked him.
HE left half an hour ago." was the an
swer.
He has been here them
You bet. Foine fellow, that mar Tag
CART"
Then the man tried to explain that
there had been two or three short speeches
and the boys were merely getting ready
fer the lection
II seemed. from all that could be learned.
that most of the evening was devoted TO
a social time by the Taggart crowd. The
meeting was organized as all the beer meet
ings have been organized during this cam
paign. The decent Democrats living near
the cerealine works. those who cannot be
Influenced by a few glasses OF beer. were
not notified OF the meeting. They no doubt
will regard all reports OF the true nature
OF the meeting as campaign lies, simply
because they knew nothing of il. Decent
citizens in all parts OF the city have found
IL hard TO believe the truth. because they
have not known or the meetings in their
own ne~ighborhoods and this one last even
ing was like the rest and according to
the plans laid down by the Democratic
city committee TO catch 1.-THE free and lib
era1" element.