The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-23
IN THE THIRD WARD.
Big Turnout of People to Hear the
Issues Discussed.

Thomas Taggart and his little Annie
Rooney smile were topics for extended
and convincing argument at big Repub-
lican meeting at West and old Fourth
streets last night. The demonstration GER
tainly indicated the temper of the people
of the Third ward in this campaign and it
showed conclusively that the voters want
to know the truth about the municipal sit
uation.
There was considerable disappointment
over the failure of Mr.. Harding to reach
the meeting, but when it was learned he
was detained at Brightwood by previous
engagement the crowd accepted the ex-
PLANTATION and attentively listened to the
other speakers who were on the pro-
gramme. Several strong arguments against
Taggartism and Democratic msmanage-
ment were made by able speakers. The
voters eagerly drank in every word and
paid the most respectful attention to all
that was said. John c. Ruckelshaus pre-
sided as chairman He first introduced
Charles Hickman, who cautioned his hear
ers not to be led away with the idea that
Mr.. Taggart is a wonderfully popular man
and cannot be beaten. He declared there
was no reason why Indianapolis should not
have a Republican mayor and he urged
Republicans to do their duty and stand fast
by the candidate.
Gabriel Jones. who is we'll known as a
colored orator, made a forceful argument,
covering in general way the issues of the
city campaign. He compared the sixteen
years of Republican rule in this city to the
ton and clearly showed the shortcomings
Of the latter He spoke of the city S heavy
bonded Indebtedness and of the telephone
contract 1t seemed to the speaker that the
whole thing was a sort of family af-
fair" He told of how the city administra-
ton froze out Garbage Contractor Nc
Carthy. Mr.. Jones asserted that the city
of Indianapolis is too large for a man of
MIR. Taggarts business capacity.
Il understand said the orator, that for
street work the city has four gangs of
eighty men each. l also understand they
have but one colored man to each eighty.
Talk to me about sixteen to one, I'd rather
have that every time than one to eighty"
(Applause) The speaker admitted the
fetching quality of Mr.. Taggart'S smile
but he did not believe the colored voters of
the city cared to subsiSt for two years more
on that smile. r. r. Shiel, who followed
Mr.. Jones, confined himself chiefly to the
park question, although he gave some in
side history concerning the Taggart-EIolt
''gold-bug' Democracy of the last cam
paign This Mr.. Shiel characterized as the
side show TO the Mckinley circus" On
the park question he showed up the Tag
CART and Flack deal and compared the
neighborhood of the proposed parks with
that on Meridian street. He spoke of q
man who had a piece of property lying
adjacent to the Fali-creek park system
who was assessed 81 a front foot, while on
Meridian street the assessment was but 10
cents a front foot.
L see that Tom Taggart has got all the
colored men stuck on him." asserted the
speaker with fine scorn. Some of the
voters appeared to accept the statement
seriously and FASTENED to correct Mr.. Shiel
Not much he hasn't sang out one coli
ored man.
Don't you think it," called out another.
Here's one that amt" came from an
other quarter