The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-12
The Democratic Leadership.

We observe that somebody somewhere
is urging" the Hon. Thomas I. Tag
CART. of Indiana. as the successor
Of the Hon. James Kimbroush Jones.
of Arkansas, as Chairman CT me
Democratic National Commi tee. This
Interesting news is coupled with the
information that Mr.. Taggart was
gold Democrat prior to the Chicago Con-
vention, but supported Bryan loyalty both
in 1896 and 1900. though he never changed
his views on the money question. 1t is
urged bv his friends that. with him as
National Chairman, he could put forces
to work that would bring about unien of
all elements. and the fact that he was
never an extreme silver man, coupled
with his loyalty to the party, equips him
in every way for undertaking so delicate
a task
AS if apparently he were in the hands
of campaign manager who eDjoined ST.
lence upon him, Mr.. Taggart is repre-
scented as saying nothing, but believ- ns
that Senator Jones could not bring about
the same results, even were he SO IN
clined Ii is understood at indianapolis
tina; an appeal will be made to Chairman
Jones. and if he will consent to resign
in Taggart's favor steps toward harmon
izing the party will be taken early in the
coming year.
We have heard much of the Hon. Thorn
as 7. Taggart during the past six months
or so, and were led to believe that he vas
HOLSTERS This he may be. but the glar-
ing facts of recent history seem 10 justify
the conclusion that there are other N n
even more powerful and mighty among
the Hoosiers than Taggart Whether
there be Democrat in all Hoosierdom
who is his equal in astuteness, sagaci y,
and those other attributes which are sup
posed to constitute the successful poll
cal manager We do not know. we do
know however that the Indiana Democ-
racy made poorer showing in this years
contest than it has made in any contest
OF recent times. 1t may be that Taggart
is not to blame for this, though great
would have been his renown If Indiana
had swung over to the Democratic col
atty to Bryan, it may be enquired. why
should not Taggart have been loyal to the
Democratic standard bearer? Apparently
the explanation for putting stress upon
this allegation is found in the statement
that Taggart has never changed his
views on the money question We cen
graduate him upon his adaman inc firm
NJ int hut fni IN NJ
BOUQUETS should be hurled at him because
of his LOYALTY to Bryan. II he had not
been loyal 10 Bryan in 1896 and again
this wear he would not be entitled to
seat in the Dcnocratr temple at this
time.
But we think il is now universally
agreed that some other claim than that OF
loyalty TO Bryan should be put forward
for the man who is suggested for chair
man of the National Committee. If 10y
atty we're the only qualification looked for
in the incumbent of that important posi-
ton there would not now be any cause
or excuse for the discussion of a success
sor TO Chairman Jones. Brains. foresight,
tact. and a few other things like these are
required of a campaign manager. If Tag
CART possesses these in sufficient quantity
there doubtless would be no objection to
his election as the successor of Chairman
Jones provided, of course, that the emil
nent Arkansas statesman is willing and
ready to relinguish the cares and respon-
sibilities OF position which have weighed
so heavily upon him at times during the
past four years.
What sort of ''harmonzing' Taggart, or
whoever may succeed Chairman Jones, is
expected to do or can do. we are at loss
to understand. 1t is evident that the par
~ was never more harmonious on all the
great and vital issues of national poll
tics than it is at present. The seven
million Americans who worked and voted
for Bryan are Democrats who need no
"harmonizing The few hundred thous-
and men calling themselves Democrats
and who voted or worked against Bryan
are Hannaites and there is no room in the
Democratic party for them.
Our Hard Philippine Task.