The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-24
TAGGART-JOHNsoNIsM.
Democratic Mutual Aid Society That
Has Lived Of TaxpaYers

1.-THE Democratic Mutual Aid Society of
Marion County" limited, was formed some
ten years ago. 1t was never incorporated.
Articles of associate were never filed.
There is no capital stock. And yet those
on the inside have found it a mighty good
thing. 1t has not, as the name might i'm
ply, mortgage on the Democratic party.
The word Democratic" is misnomer. In
stead, the society is autocratic and selfish.
Association in the society does not assure
Participants of receiving "siek benefits"
'mortuary benefits nor things of that kind.
Its benefits are of the present, not of The
future-that is, to those who get any 'bene-
fits" at all. There are thousands of mon
participating members who receive no divi-
dends except empty promises, occasionally
unremunerative places and now and then
key or two of beer, a pat on the back
and a you're a good fellow
Some ''nonparticipants' have hoped to
break into the board of control They have
met frowns as rule Now and then a new
member is taken into full fellowship, with
right to participate in all benefits and
wax fat and rich But the way to this is
long and tedious. Those inside have enjoyed
their surroundings long and are loath to
give way to a new board of control. The
fewer participant ting members the bigger
the dividends and the larger the slices when
profit-sharing time comes. Like some other
mutual concerns it is q secret society.
There is no. printed ritual, although there
are many traditions and precedents, much
lore stored up from bitter experiences in the
effort to keep the inner circle" from
broadening and to keep the .'nonpartic-
ipantS" on the outside.
Political offices are the stock in trade.
How to get them and how to hold on to
them when you have got them and always
keep the other fellow OUT is the problem
OF life it has set itself to solve. And it has
been pretty successful. AS set forth above
the society was formed ten years ago. From
obscurity one member emerged as man
of affairs after he had been county auditor
a few months. He found the office a good
thing" But he knew that others are al
ways after the "snapS," and set about in
trenchlng himself in an impenetrable strong
hold. To do this required assistance and
division Of the profits. He found many
willing to go in with him. But few were
chosen. No one can judge who constitute
that chosen few, save by external evidence,
It is impossible to penetrate the veil Of
fraternal secrecy to which those on the in
side are sworn. The external results are
visible. What the society has accomplished
can be seen.
First-It made one member auditor of the
county eight years, and placed quarter
of a million dollars in his pocket.
Second--It made him mayor for two terms.
1t gave him control of the county and city
organizations ana placed MIN IN a very I'M
portant relation with the state organization.
1t made him think it possible that he might
become the chief executive of the common
wealth.
Third-It made another member deputy
auditor for eight years. 1t made him city
controller for two terms. 1t made him am
bilious to become auditor on two occasions.
1t made still another president of the Board
Of Safety, with large patronage in places on
the police and fire forces at his nominal
disposal, where he might cultivate the ward
and precinct nonparticipants" and secure
their good will. 1t made the wicked
brother a member Of the park board and
gave him a hold on the City Hall that many
coveted. 1t is now striving to gain a fresh
hold on county affairs. To this end it con-
trolls the city machine. To the end that it
may fasten Taggartism on the State it hopes
to gain as complete control of the county
machine as it now has of the city machine.
And these are not ALL Many other things
it has accomplished
The expenses of the participants" are
few. Now and then a small campaign as
sessment, visit to the sums, the purchase
of kegs and ponies for the boys, some
speeches. ringing with sentiment but mean
ing nothing, anything to win the suffrage
of the ''nOnprOfiting members