The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-10
WHAT WOODY'S VOTE DID
ENABLED TAGGART TO REACH
$4,000 FOR CAMPAIGN PURPOSES.
One Republican Does What sturdy
TO-The Appropriations.

Mahlon P. Woody, Republican council
man from the Fourth ward, by his vote
last night added Sc, go to the campaign
fund which Mayor Taggort will use en-
ploying heelers TO bring about his re-elec-
tion Had the walls of the courthouse
fallen in the other Republican members of
the Council could not have been more sur
prised than when Mr.. Woody, in quaver-
ing voice. voted aye when his name was
called on the ordinance turning $4,000 OF
the city funds over to Street Commissioner
Herpick. A crowd of tough-looking men,
who had been hanging around the corridor,
making so much boisterous noise that the
police sergeant had to drive them back,
jollifed when Mr.. Woody voted. Bert
Spencer, the mayors factotum, had been
camped out all evening on the press table,
wearing q broad smile, for he evidently
knew that Mr.. Woody had been persuaded
in some way to desert the Republican mi
nority, and do what Duncan Dewar, the
sturdy Democratic member from the
Eighth ward, would not stoop to do. AS
soon as the vote was announced Spencer
guffawed, slapped his hat on his head and
left the Council chamber. President Cos
tello smiled as he saw the idignant looks
on the faces of the Republican members
other than Mr.. Woody.
The history of this $4,000 appropriation
ordinance scandal, except its concluding
chapter, is familiar to the readers of The
Indianapolis papers. The ordinance was
drawn up by the Democrats, desperate at
the turn affairs are taking in the present
campaign, in order to raise a campaign
fund by which the Democratic heelers and
ward workers could ostensibly be put to
work under Commissioner Herpick. Duncan
Dewar, Democratic member from the
Eighth ward, refused to become a party to
the scheme, denouncing it as an extrava-
CANT waste of the citys money, merely for
campaign purposes. Mayor Taggart was
in despair when it was found that Mr.. De-
war could not be budged from his honest
stand. All sorts of concessions were Of
fered, but Mr.. Dewar, a sturdy Scotchman,
was obdurate. The ordinance hung fire.
The administration knew that the fund had
to be obtained, and 1t began work on Re-
publican councilmen, hoping by some means
only known to itself to secure Just one Re-
publican vote. Commissioner Herplck be-
Sieged one of the cOuncilmen and bothered
him day after day, trying to win him to
treachery. This councilman Indignantly re-
PEELED the advances made by Herpick. Mr..
DeWar was not present last night, and
when the ordinance called up the Re-
publicanS were surprised, for they did not
see now IL would De possible 10 pass IL
Every Republican except Mr.. Woody voted
no" When his name was reached he
voted AYE" and the ordinance, therefore,
received fourteen votes, Woody'S vote being
the one that completed the necessary two
thirds majority which Is required in passing
all appropriation ordinances. The Repub-
lican members gathered after the Council
meeting and expressed their indignation at
WoodyS action. He vouchSafed no expld-
nation for his conduct. 1t is said he told
one member that the reason he voted for
the ordinance was because the street-car
company had promised to run it's Indiana
Indiana-avenue bridge was repaired. The
Republican councilmen concluded that the
Citizens Street-railroad Company was
showing its favors to the Taggart admins
tration.
The gang of heelers that Herpick sent to
the Council chamber last night caused more
annoyance to the Council than ever before
noticed. They were the men who expect to
get on the city pay rolls through this or
dinance. While waiting on the ordinance
several of them spent their time trying to
sandbag Clerk Stuckmeyer and other can
didates for the price" When the Council
adjourned this gang blockaded the doorway
and the members had to force their way
through, the Democratic candidates Tor re-
election being held up. Some of the gang
grabbed Councilman Rauch and others, and
would not let them go, insisting on the
price," ''juSt to buy soda water" Two or
three times during the evening Sergeant
Kurtz had to drive the gang away from
the Council chamber door in order that
business might be transacted.
The $22 900 ordinance appropriates $4,000
to work in Pogue's run and $1,000 TO
bridges.