The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-23
CHARGES AGAINST TAGGART.
a Pamphlet Issued by the Citizens
Ticket People.


While the Republican councilmanic pri-
maries were being held last Friday pam
phlets printed by the committee having in
charge the campaign Of the Citizens
ticket" headed by John f. White for
mayor, were distributed in several wards.
The pamphlet is entitled: "Citizens Against
Machine Politics-A Demand for an Honest
City Government" Beside the speech F. j.
Van Vorhis made at the convention of the
Citizens party, the pamphlet contained
the platform, Mr. Whites letter of accept
ance and some pointed comments on the
present administration. Some quotations
are given from it below. 1t says, among
other things, after commenting on the
fact that Taggart is controlled by Albert
Lieber and Sterling r. Holt, both gold
Democrats:
Holt and Lieber are both members Of the
park board by Taggarts appointment 1t
is reported and generally believed that
these two men are under contract to NOM
mate and secure the election of Taggart
What consideration they are TO receive
from Taggart may be inferred.
"Lieber desires to control the patronage
of the saloons for his brewery. 1t has been
observed for some time that saloons who
buy their beer of this British syndicate
have not been mOlested, but that the law
has been vigorously enforced against all
who buy their beer from other breWerieS
Some saloons, in order TO run at all, have
been forced to buy their beer of Lieber
Notwithstanding Taggart's professions, he
has filed the city offices with men who
were, during the last campaign, the OPP
ponents of Mr.. Bryan. On the afternoon
and night of the primaries to select dele
gates to the convention, Lieber furnished
each saloon with free beer for Taggart $
benefit. Many of the primaries were held
in saloons, and so completely did the
Ideber-Ho oft influence have control that
II I Democrats to t.
tend the primaries.
Everybody knows that the individuals
behind the present administration are not
moved by a desire for public benefit. 1t is
a desire for spoils that moves the whole
crowd. The last administration was little
better than this. There are few improve
ments ON our streets made during the last
administration or this that ii investigated,
would not disclose a fraud OF some . KIND.
If the property owners on Michigan street
will examine they Will find very few, II
any, blocks Creosoted according to the con-
tract although they paid ST. 500 for having
1t done. This was tribute to the company
organized to creosote blocks. II they are
curious to know who is interest ed in TINS
company, let them inquire of Mr.. Albert
Lieber Of the British syndicate, or Mr..
Downey of the Board of Works They can
tell them about it. When they get the an
swer Of these two gentlemen they may UNI
derstand the interest the board takes IN
block paYements.
The pamphlet contains the platform of
ton denounces the administration Tor It's
unbusiness-like methods in handing TINS
subject as follows:
I'VE are opposed to the present PARK
board and to it's methods. We especially
call the attention to and denounce the lnstl-
tuition of a suit by member of the park
hoard against the park board that, to say
the very least has the appearance OF an
effort to accomplish two purpOses-to enable
the favored banks to hold and use the peo-
ple's money Indefinitely and to relieve the
present administration from the storm OF
opposition and condemnation sure to follow
the burdensome and inequitable assessment
outlined by said park board upoa the prop.
ertv of citizens already oVertaXed. II
there was an honest doubt about the con-
stitutionality of the board, why was not
such suit instituted before the bonds were
sold? Exorbitant prices have already peeh
raid or contra cted to be paid for property
for park purposes to enrich q few faVorlteS
Unjust and arbitrary assessments nave
been made upon a large amount or prop
ertv remote from the proposed parks Whlle
other property, equally benefited, has been
omitted We denounce the whole scheme
from start to finish, as one OF eXtraVagant
favOritism and oppression uneXampIed IN
the history of this city. 1t places burdens
unon a large class of citizens that in these
times of financial distress, when added TO
other extravagant municipal expenditures,
are almost equivalent to connscatlon OF
their property We denounce all such &C
tion whether of this administration or the
preceding administration, and all such pro-
posed actions as extravagant, unldst ana
oppressive to the citizens of our city.