The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-15

The Republican city convention held in
Tomlinson Hall yesterday afternoon was an
ideal political convention in every respect,
and the ticket it nominated was one to en-
thuse the party in the present campaign.
The nomination of Mr. Harding for mayor
was the sole topic of street talk as the
crowds from the downtown districts went
home from their work at 6 o'clock, the
nomination having become generally known
by that time. Even those Republicans who
We're skeptical few weeks ago as to the
success of the party in defeating .Taggart
were confident now of turning down that
lucky politician, whose administration in
the, last two years has caused such wide
spread dissatisfaction. 1t is evident from
the general comment that Mr. Harding
will go into the campaign with the solid
backing of his party and this alone would
be sufficient to win, even were it not re-
inforced by those citizens who wish to see
the city government more cleanly and eco
nomical1y administered.
The convention with it's S73 delegates.
took up most of the first floor of Tomlinson
Hall Throughout it was intensely en-
thusiastic, although there was no discord
nor unseemly conduct to mark the session
One of the most impressive features of
the convention was the approval with
which Chairman Taylor's speech denounc-
ing the present administration for its ex-
trayagance was received. He likened the
history of the administration to that of
1873 which fastened a debt of over 81, 600, 600
on the city, referring to the fact that
Mayor Taggart, with the assistance of his
board and a Democratic Council, have
added over a half million dollars TO the
burden taxpayers will have to carry for
thirty years, to say nothing of paying in
terest that will bring the whole up to near
ly $4,000, 900 the people will have to pay for
it's experience with this business admins
tration.v Mr.. Taylor contrasted conditions
now and two years ago, when an admins
tration retired without leaving any bur-
dens.
While the contest between the mayoralty
candidates has been very vigorous it has
created no party breaches, as was fully
demonstrated when Charles A. Bookwalter
declared with convincing sincerity that
from now until Mr.. Harding is elected he
will raise his voice to champion the grand
old principles of the grand old Republican
party" The enthusiasm of the convention
reached it's height just after the
vote for city clerk had been fin
ished 1t was neck-and-neck between
Messrs. Hays and Elliot but before the
roll was finished it was apparent that
Hays had majority. While the vote was
being counted his friends crowded down to
the stage, shouting his name and beckon-
ing for him to come down from the stage
and join them. When the vote was an
nounced he reached down to shake hands
with some of his friends. He was pulled
from the platform and carried on the Shout
ders down the aisle of the hall amid en-
thusiasuc and good-natured tumult The
demonstration accorded ex-Police Judge
Stubs was equally tumultuous and dem
onstrated beyond cavil the estimation in
which he is held. The day passed with
out any unpleasant incidents, and when the
nominations for cOuncilmen at large were
announced it was the unanimous decision
of men well yegsed in political affairs of
the city that the ticket in its entirety was
one to. challenge criticism and one that
would assure the defeat of Taggart and
his crew.