The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-09
TAGGART MACHINE WINS
ALL THE PRIMARIES PACKED WITH
EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY.
A Merry Old Time In the Second Ward
The Cox People Outpointed
at Every Meeting.


support as Democratic district chairman
The victory was not bloodless one by
any means. and in several wards the de-
feated forces are smarting under the lash
ing given them by the organization of the
mayor. The victory, aside from demon
strating the superiority of the Taggar:
machine, is taken 10 indicate the defeat OF
Parks NJ. Martin at the hands of the gold
Democrats of the State 1t is we'll known
that when Allen w. Clark was in the city
last week "he was introduced to the ice
man." as Taggart supporter expressed II
last night, and went away assured that the
biggest machine in the state Democracy
was against free silver.
Both Democrats and Republicans look
for the biggest split the Democratic party
has experienced in many years. General
anxiety was expressed last night as to the
result in the Second district, where it was
understood. three counties had instructed
against Chairman Martin. Sullivan county
held the balance of power, and it was felt
that this would remain loyal to him and
keep the district from slipping away from
him.
1t is confidently expected on all sides that,
although James Murdoch, of Lafayette, has
stated his inability to accept the chairman
ship, he will be elected and will be forced
into accepting.
IN THE SECOND WARD.
The main fight between the Taggart and
Cox forces last night was in the Second
ward, where it was confidently expected
that Charles L. Cox had strong support for
- ffoo-
man Charles E. Barrett was on hand early
and called the meeting to order. there be-
ing fully two hundred in the hall and near
ly as many more trying to get in. Albert
Sahm was at his elbow, and the two rep
resented the Taggart organization. In an
other part of the room, but consplcuously
located, were ex-Judge Pliny w. BarthOl-
omew Howard johnson, Philip Gapen and
Jere Foley, who represented the anti-Tag-
CART element.
1t was perfectly we'll understood at the
start that trouble was unavoidable, but
Committeeman Barrett opened the cere-
monies in seductive way by compliment
ing the Democracy on the large number or
voters present, indicating, as he said, that
the party was "Sut to win" He then, in a
diplomatic way, referred 10 the fact that
ii had been rurnored that there were two
factions in the fight and that IL ought to be
the sense of the meeting that "a fair field
ana no raVOr SnOulu De dCCOrucu
sides. This almost lulled the Cox men to
sleep.
Taking advantage of this concession Mr..
Bartholomew nominated ex-Judge Pierce
Norton as chairman and Albert Sahm
nominated John w. De Busk. With the
first battle in sight Mr.. Norton withdrew
and Mr.. De Busk was made chairman and
the first skirmish resulted in victory for
Taggart. Then Mr.. Barrett suggested that,
as, unfortunately there were two or more
fn ct a
to select three secretaries and give each
faction representative. Almost In flash
the secretaries were selected and they
proved to be John Reddington, of the
Board of Works; M. McDermott and
Joshua Florea, all Taggart men.
Then the clincher was given to the thing
when Mr.. Barrett moved that the chair
man appoint two tellers, one from each
faction.
There was a violent protest from Mr..
Bartholomew, but it was overruled by Mr..
Barrett who said soothingly: II feel sure,
when the chair gets through with the ap-
pointments you will find he has been fairer
than you would have been to yourself"
Before the matter could be further dis
cussed Charles Harrington and William X.
Williams. two Taggart men. were named
and Mr.. Barrett at once moved TO proceed
with the balloting.
Only one vote was necessary and it re-
suited in a clean cut victory for the Tag
CART machine. The highest man on the
On the Cox slate. the highest received
siXty-eight and the lowest fifty-eight. The
meeting was held in the engine house at
Sixteenth and Ash streets and it was or
Derby chiefly because the anti-Taggart ma
chine was too amazed at the way the Tag
CART crowd forced things to offer any con-
certed resistance.
At one time when Jere Foley was on the
IDLY suggested that he be thrown out" be
cause "he voted and worked for Book
walter in the last city election"
THE TENTH WARD.
For the first time In its history the Tenth
ward got through its business without a
fight OF any consequence. Tom Hedian was
present and kept the Tagart machinery
creased for work. The factions in that
and Golfer elements and while, as was ex-
planned during the meeting. the ward was
all for Taggart. each faction wanted the
delegates. 1t was finally agreed that each
side should have a representation and that
three of the five delegates should be Mo-
riarty men and the other two Golfer men.
The selection of the delegates was peace
full one. Tom Hedian made motion after
the selection of Mr.. Moriarty as chairman,
that the chair appoint a committee of
three to select the delegates. This was
agreed to, and Mr.. Moriarty named VIII
nam champion, A11cndel Du1Iecy ana fTeQ
HER. About 120 were present.
In the Third ward the anti-Taggart forces
only secured ten votes TO Taggart's ninety
nine. Joseph Bell led the Taggart forces.
and DIR. Beck, the ants
TROUBLE IN NINTH
There was trouble in the Ninth ward,
but the Taggart machine outpointed its OPP
ponents and won amid Kisses and protests.
Ex-City Clerk Charles Stuckmeyer an
nounced himself as chairman over the
protests Of two-thirds of those present
and refused to entertain any motions
whatever from anyone opposed to Taggart.
In order to save time he announced a COM
mittee of three 10 appoint delegates, the
committee consisting of Messrs. Leahey,
Brown and Collins, all of whom had been
in the employ of the city for many
years. 1t was claimed that the
vote fair ballot would have been
2 TO l against the Taggart machine but
IL was not considered safe to risk ballot.
When the committee was appointed TO
name delegates there was a perfect storm
OF mos from all parts OF the room, but
protests did not count in the Ninth ward
last night.
In the Eleventh ward the fight was be-
tween Councilman Kelly and several city
employees who represented the Tagart in