The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-08
NOT AN OVERSIGHT.
Knowing Ones Tell why jackson
Day Was Not Celebrated.


Knowing politicians say that the failure
to celebrate jackson day here was not an
oversight on the part of Indiana Democracy,
but that the day was quietly ignored after
careful elaboration. East and West, North
and South, in all the big cities the day was
celebrated. AT Cincinnati Friday night the
Duckworth Club gave a dinner, at which
William ]. Bryan was the particular star,
as he was at Chicago last night, when the
club bearing his own name assembled to do
him honor In New York, while Bryan was
reiterating his 16-to-1 doctrine and fulminat-
ing against Imperialism and expansion in
the West Richard Croker was saying in an
interview that free silver was dead and de-
claring in favor Of extending American do
mlnion. The politicians assert that when the
Tammany boss was at Chicago and West
Baden comforting with Taggart ct al, of the
Indiana Democracy, he outlined to them the
position he expected to occupy. Those who
hope to have favorable place in the mind
of the big chief of Tammany quietly decided
that II would be better to let things DRIFT
ana not undertake to stir up unpleasant
topics at this time. To have held a cele-
Dratlon here at this time would have created
a necessity on the part of Indiana Demo-
Gratis of prominence to speak on these ques-
tons, task from which they all shrank.
None cared to arouse the push, and none
without whom the party can never hope TO
carry the State again, as many Democrats
admit Neither was any brave enough to
dip into the question of expansion. Indiana
Democrats like to get on the band wagon
after 1t starts, but do not care TO snap the
whip which starts the horses going.
Thomas Taggart, who, il was reported
short time ago, was offered the Craftsmanship
Of the national committee by Croker, was
bid to the Duckworth celebration at Gin
clnnau Friday night and to the Bryan Club
dinner at Chicago last night. He accepted
both invitations. But he attended neither
function. Friday morning he became sud
denly i'll at his office and went home. He
telegraphed his regrets" to Cincinnati. He
was on the list of toasts at Chicago last
night and the Associated Press, furnished
with information by the managers of the
Bryan banquet, sent out a list of those pres
ent, in which the indianapolis mayors name
was included Inquiry by telephone at his
residence brought the response that the As
take, as the mayor lis here at home Ill.
Others say that it was fortunate for the
mayor that he could not attend the Bryan
"blow-outs." in view of the ultmatum OF
Boss Croker, with whom the mayor lately
locked arms. Had the mayor attended the
Bryan dinners, and by his presence, at least,
sanctioned what the boy Orator was say
ing, it might have been embarrassing to
explain matters to the BOSS" of New York.
The story is that the Boss" gave a few
hints when he was out here in the wild and
wooly West Of his intended onslaught on
Organism, in order that his friends might
guard themselves accordingly and take to
in these parts. At any rate. Indiana Dem
ocrats, who generally lose no opportunity to
quiet the last two or three days