The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-01

johnson, Mcguire and Taggart De-
nOunced at a Meeting.

nOunceO AT q MeeIlnS.
The discomfort which many silver Demo-
Gratis feel over the fact that the Democratic
state and county tickets are almost to
man made up of gold Democrats has led to
a widespread revolt. The silver men have
established a bureau by which information
concerning the records of the candidates on
the 16-to-1 question is being promulgated.
So serious is the dissatisfaction that it has
led to the formation of the Independent Sill
yer Democratic Club. There was meeting
well attended last night. which was called
to order by President Heimbo. The COM
mittee on organization reported that it was
meeting with very encouraging success. The
chairman of the committee which is in
vestigating the records of the candidates on
the money question in 1896 stated that a full
report was not ready, but at the next meet
irg something interesting on this subject
is expected to be presented.
]. r. Duncan discussed the purposes for
which the meeting had been called. I'VE
are here" said he, ito consider whether we
should bend our efforts TO the support of
the gold bug candidates on the Democratic
ticket or any other ticket or exert our eff
forts in some other direction.
1T is useless for me to recite what has
occurred politically in this city and county
during the last two years, for you are all,
perhaps, as familiar with these matters as
l am. For myself, want to say in the be-
ginning, that / am not in favor of support
ing any of the god-bug' candidates or
candidates who carried water upon two
shoulders, and by their actions helped to
defeat that gallant standard bearer, Will
liam j. Bryan, in 1896. You all know that
the regular Democratic ticket two years
ago was overwhelmingly defeated and you
know that the gentlemen who are now on
the Democratic ticket and are trying to
run the party, contributed to his defeat.
The very men who are now asking your
support. two years ago were. doing all they
could to defeat the regular Democratic
ticket. The men who are now in control of
n a q holding
best places upon the ticket were on the
Republican side and were the. worst gold
bugs in Indiana The men to whom refer
are e. M. Johnson and Charles Mcguire,
who are being boosted along by Thomas
Taggart and Joseph E.. Bell, who was also
a gold bug and did his share toward de-
feating the ticket Every one of these men
have. had big, soft snaps at the hands of
the Democratic party, and nearly all OF
them by the Democrats. Tom Taggart
served two terms as county auditor and is
Johnson has held good fat jobs for about
fourteen or fifteen years Mr.. Bell, also,
has had good positions. He is now serving
his third term as deputy. city attorney, At
one time he held two positions, one as dep
uty city attorney at a salary of 81 600 per
annum, and the other as attorney for the
board of trustees of the Central Hospital
for the Insane at salary of $500. What po
sition did these men take in the campaign
of 1896? Every one of them was opposed to
the regular Democratic ticket. They were
out-and-out gold bugs and did all they
could to defeat the Democratic party. They
talked gold standard upon the streets and
all of them had either letters or interviews
in the newspapers strongly favoring the
gold standard. Johnson and Mcguire had
interviews in the papers In which they said
they were for gold. MessrS. Johnson and
Bells interviews have been cut out of the
papers that are on file at the city library.
OF course there is no direct evidence that
they had the interviews cut out of the pa
pers but you all know that they are now
trying to cover up their record at that time
and 0nlV conclusion
draw is that some one cut those interviews
out in the interest. of Johnson and Bell;
Mr.. Duncan read the interviews as they
We're taken from the files of the state Ii
brary.
so you see," he continued 'Mr. Bell
thinks that the people are ignorant enough
TO believe that under the free coinage of
silver money will grow upon bushes. In
looking up interviews the vandals over
looked Mr.. McGuire's interview which APP
peared in the News of July Is. 1896. This is
what the gentleman. said: 1 am an old
ticket. ] am not saying what am going
to do; 1 am waiting developments. The
truth of the matter is, l am undecided |
can say. however, that the platform adopted
at Chicago is not to my liking Now this,
with other remarks, coming from such a
gentleman, had its effect toward Democratic
you to support Them elect them to good
fat offices, and they give, the positions that
men who do the work for their election are
introduced to picks and .shovels.
LOOK at SOlQ Dug Henry Russo. he was
the highest bidder for furnishing grass seed
for public parks. Still he got contract for
one Thousand bushels end the lowest bidder
got none Before the last city election Mr..
Taggart and his gang, or machine, or what
ever you may choose to call them prom
ised parks to the people of the South Side.
They said in their platform that they would
keep the taxes down and would oppose the
laying of surface tracks across streets lead
ing to the South Side. What have they
done? They have passed an ordinance for
the laying of more tracks, making more
danger for the people of the South Side and
depreciating the value of property. They
have raised your taxes 10 cents, and in the
place of parks they have given you garb-
age plant and public dumps. What benefit
are the parks to us? How can the people of
the South. Side visit the parks? They are
away out in the country north of the city,
and when completed will benefit only T.
Taggart, Sterling Holt and their sporting
friends to show off their fast horses and
fancy rigs If any of you want jobs you
ought to be able to get them now from the
city administration. 1t is going to put $50
men at work Monday to plant these two
thousand bushels of seed. one seed at
time in order to make the job last until
after election Now, gentlemen these gold
bugs were traitors two years ago. and 1t
rests with. you to say what shall be done to
them this fall"
Addresses were made by several others,
who spoke in the same vein
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rvDnESJnENT HARRTS0N