The Indianapolis journal., 1898-12-02

lNefn
when the machinery of the party in the
State was safely in the hands of the COM
bine Most Of all was Allen Clark to be
dreaded. He was the most uncompromsing
of all the brood of silverites hatched IN
1896. A very golden sunlight was hateful to
his eyes and his loyalty to the cause led
Chairman Jones TO take him to Chicago in
the last campaign.
CLARK HAD NO OPINION.
Mr.. Clark when seen by a reporter at the
Grand Hotel last night was unusually un-
communicative when questioned about the
story outlined above. lie had heard con-
siderable part of il, but would venture no
opinion as to the truth of It,
Il came down from Chicago" said he,
FOR the express purpose of spending
Thanksgiving at my home at Greensburg
and was asked by the committee to stop at
indianapolis TO get under way our ways and
means plan. That is all that L am here
In the last two or three days prominent
Democrats. including Mayor RAIDER, of
JenersonVtlie, Vernon Davis of Muncie, and
others, have been dropping in at the Grand
the croker deal. Mr.. Clark had hold of
Mayor RAIDER last night and Mayor Taggart
had suspicious eye on the two. A reporter
was talking to Mayor Taggart at the Grand
Hotel when Clark came up, and after few
1ocular remarks Mr. Taggart was asked if
ne had heard the story that he was TO be.
the Democratic nominee for Vice President
in 1900
"Tn kill that story for you" said the
mayor. I'm ineligible. l was born in Ire
land I'll never be President or Vice Presi-
I'VE might elect you national chairman"
dryiy remarked Mr.. Clark with a faint
smile and keen scrutiny on the face of the
mayor. But the mayors face seldom re-
Neals things. He quickly looked at Mr..
Clark but said nothing, and for about two
minutes there was Il deep painful silence.
Finally Mr. Taggart was asked if he didn't
think the national Democracy would aban-
don silver in 1900 In his characteristically
10 hold a convention tomorrow it would de-
clare for the Chicago platform"
But how about 1902" was the next ques-
tlon put by the reporter.
Well replied the mayor, "the Demo-
cratic party will preserve its policy unless
more important questions come up" Mr..
Clark seemed amused, although he had as
suled the reporter scarcely ten minutes be-
fore that he was in the city for no other
purpose than TO help along the scheme for
raising money for the national committee
Thomas Taggart and Carter Harrison have
been good friends for quite q few years, and
have exchanged visits Each admires the
other and is proud of the others success,
and as chairman of tho Democratic national
committee Taggart would not only obey
Croker's behest, but would do it gladly for
the sake Of his friend Harrison, whom Gro
ker has selected as the Western man to go
on the 1900 ticket. For Harrison to be sue
cessful in Illinois, he would have to defeat
the Altgeld crowd, who are rabid Bryanites,
and Croker thinks that he can wipe out this
whole push with the popular Chicago man.
Leon Bailey left the city yesterday after
noon to meet Croker to carry out further
details of the deal. One of the great Demo-
Gratis Of Indiana from whom strenuous eff
forts had been made to keep this story from
reaching, is Senator Turpie The combine
fears ii the senator is advised of the Croker
deal he will be very bold in denouncing it,
and might thereby kill 1t off before it is un-
der strong headway. The senator's friends
say he will cling TO free silver. having once
espoused it, to the end of his days.