The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-16
MUST HAVE
No Other Democrat willing to Head
the Ticket.

Nothing could better indicate the utter
apathy that prevails in the Democratic par
ty in this State. or the discouraging condi-
tions that confront 1t. than the entire dearth
there is of candidates for places on the State
ticket. Save the association Of the name of
Thomas Taggart with the Democratic NOM
nation for Governor. the name of no Demo-
crat is mentioned in connection with a State
office. Some months ago. when the Demo-
Gratis cherished a hope that the current
that has set in against them might abate
some of it's height and swiftness, there was
talk OF Mortimer Nye, ex-Judge collars and
John Gilbert Shanklin in connection with
the place that Governor Matthews is to va
cate next January, but Of late there has been
no mention of these, and the little craft Of
MIR. Taggart is the only one in these parts
that flies the Democratic flag. The same
Democratic Office hunters read the political
weather signs and got under cover. The
reason OF this is not that the Democrats OF
Indiana have turned over a new leaf, and
that hereafter the office IS to seek the man.
Were there any chance of the Democracy
carrying the State there would be from six
to a dozen aspirants for each nomination,
and these would be going up and down the
State handing out their cards, descanting
upon their q1alitiessAnd urging their claims.
The fact is that the Democrats realize that
the drift is still against them. and that 1t
will take a term Of retirement, disinfection.
expurgation, and probably the commission of
some offenses on the part Of the Republicans
before the people will be ready to again give
favorable consideration to the claims of q
Democrat to a State Office.
That there is a good deal OF talk of Mr..
Taggart at this time is attributable probably
to the fact that the Democrats will have to
nominate a ticket. and the proneness Of the
party to turn to him when all other avenues
of relief and escape seem closed. 1t will be
noted also that the movement in behalf of
Mr.. Taggart Is without Mr.. Taggart's pro-
curement. Whenever he has been approached
on the subject Mr.. Taggart has shown a dis
position TO get AVA from it II he could. and
shy a nomination when the nomination
meant an office.
There is but little doubt that Mr.. Taggart
many favors at the hands OF the party that
a refusal would come with bad grace. and.
column over the precipice would probably
have coupled with 1t the promise and the
condition that he shall have the nomination
when the skies clear and the conditions be-
come less stormy.
AS for the remainder OF the ticket. 1t will
PROBABLY be nominated much as the ticket
Of two years ago. when everything went by
reclamation, and when half of che can
dldates had to be drafted. The conditions
that prevail in the State are a sample OF
those that prevail in the congressional dis
tricts, except in the Third With a Demo-
cratic plurality on the vote OF 1892 OF over
five thousand. the chances appear 10 be that
the Democrats should carry that district,
and here four or five candidates are moving
heaven and earth TO secure the nomination.
In the Fourth there is talk OF Holman. but
in the Second and Twelfth. where ordinarily
the conditions would be favorable to the cleo
tion OF a Democrat. there is no talk OF can
diiates. In the nine other districts the draft
will have to be enforced
TIE Republicans are having some troubles
OF their own as they go along, but dry rot
and suspended animation are not among
their ailments
Executive Committee Lincoln League.
Mr.. Ben Willoughby, member of the last
Legislature. was in the city last night. He
came up to attend a meeting OF the ex-