The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-21
MIR. TAGGART SPOKE.
Addressed His Grand Hotel Employees
and One Sweeney.

The Taggart leaders probably realize
something of the magnitude of the mistake
they made in arranging for public meet
ing of the strength" among the colored
voters last evening. This, they have
claimed, amounted to anywhere from 1000
to 5000 voters, and by persistently claiming
this they had almost convinced some people
that Taggart and wonderful strength
among the colored men, Notwithstanding
the fact that of all the offices he has to
give out only two of them have gone to
colored voters
Heretofore the Democratic leaders have
wisely refrained from making SHOW
down. and the only explanation of last
nights mistake that seems reasonable
is that the little crowd composed
of Hill, Manning ct al. sue
ceeded in deceiving Taggart and
his friends into believing that they really
had a following The Brotherhood Band
had been employed and the meeting had
been widely advertised, and special induce
ments had been offered coored men to at
tend the meeting. Taggart beer was on tap
all along Indiana avenue yesterday and col
ored men were begged and pleaded with to
attend the meeting and swell the crowd
whether they intended to vote for Taggart
or not. But as evening approached the
prospects for attendance were not bright
When Masonic Hall opened in the evening
the Manning-Hill crowd and number of
white Democrats entered and waited for
the crowd to come. 1t did not come in large
numbers. All the walters and BARRIERS from
the Grand Hotel were on hands and the
vice presidents appointed turned up. AS 8
o'clock approached the band was sent out
side to play and q few Stragglers came in.
AT sis ii was sent out again and after it
marched into the hall once more the meet
ing began.
There were about fifty white men, mostly
city employees, including Myers, Gobel, Dali
There were a number of colored women
III the audience, and the hail. which holds
600 was about half full. OF colored men
there were lS5 in the audience and thirty
six on the stage, including the speakers, a
total of 22l coiored voters. Every colored
man who expects to vote for Iaggart, ev-
cry colored man who doesn't intend to vote
for him, but could be induced to attend the
meeting had been gathered out of the
highways and byways and Brought in, and
yet the sum total OF Taggarts cclored
troops figured up just 22i. A third time the
Brotherhood Band was sent out and played
for another half an hour and crowd of
twenty or thirty more followed the band in.
Then w. Allison Sweeney was introduced
by James Thomas, eX-captain of militia,
who resigned about year ago, Sweeney
the Journal had spoken Of the meeting as
q gathering of thugs, pickpockets,
.'lazzaroni," ETC. He then made an inn
passioned attack upon the Republican party
and whooped things up for Taggart Three
or four white claquers in the audience
started a cheer, but they did all the cheer
ing themselves.
TAGGART'S SPEECH.
At this point Mayor Taggart appeared
ard the Brotherhood Band started the first
bars of sAll Coons Look Alike to Me-" but
somebody shut it off. The mayor was intro
duced by Sweeney, and made the first
speech he has made during this campaign
He hesitated long time and then began:
Ladies and Gentlemen assure you it is
a great pleasure TO me 70 be invited 10 meet
this assemblage, to say word in behalf
of the affairs of the city of Indianapolis,
and also inregard TO the mayoralty. AS | I'M
derstand IL. this is a meeting OF the colored
citizens of Indianapolis who have courage
enough to show by their voice and their
presence that they are independent in local
affairs 1t has been stated that the colored
man is the exclusive property Of the Re-