The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-02
First Consultation Held Over the
Phrasing of the Party's ProcIa-
nation of Faith and Unfaith.
GOSSIP OF THE DELEGATIONS
TOWNE AND SULZER HAVE THEIR
BOOMERS IN THE ARENA.
Suggestion for IN Indiana-New York
AIIiance-Preconven Condi-
tiOns-Delegates En- Route.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.


KANSAS CITY. July 1.-There are
enough Indiana men at the Coates House
now to create quite stir, and there is
plenty of evidence at hand that the State
will be heard from constantly when the
delegates reach Kansas City. The work
has been mapped out. but whether the DEL
egates will feel inclined to do the bidding
of the bosses is another story. Chairman
Martin, James Murdock, G. V. Menzies,
Hugh Dougherty and others arrived last
night. and Mr.. Murdock at once began to
launch the Taggart boom for national
chairman. Benjamin F. Shively was also
one of yesterdays arrivals, and is a more
or less prominent figure among the nota-
bles at the Coates House. When Shively
arrived he found that he was being seri-
ously considered, especially by Western
delegates, as Bryan's running mate, and
was besieged to make his position plain.
This, so far, he has failed to do. While 1t
is absurd to say he would refuse the nomi-
nation If he was "called" by the party, yet
his friends do not want him to injure his
chances by assuming the wrong attitude or
saying the wrong thing. 1t is generally be-
lieved, notwithstanding what Mr. Shively
had already said about the vice presidency.
that he brought his lightning rod with him
to Kansas City.
One of the South Bend mans most ar
dent supporters is Allen w. Clark, king of
the Indiana silver crowd. To-day Clark
told the Journal correspondent that IL
Shively were nominated for Vice President
the Democrats would carry Indiana, and.
by the same token, the whole country.
Present during the interview was ]. G..
Johnson, chairman of the national Demo-
cratic executive committee, who apparently
acquiesced in Clark's views. One of Clark s
distinguishing characteristics, however, is
his excess Of zeal before the votes are
counted, and as a political prophet his
record is not good.
MAY BE A STORM.
While Clark and others of the same
stripe of Democracy are anxious to see
Shively nominated, there are evidences of
storm brewing in another quarter. 1t is
apparent that the Democrats who domi-
mated the Indiana state convention will be
assiduous in passing the ice pitcher to the
Shively boom. AS noted above, they came
here with the avowed purpose of pushing
Taggart to the front, and they make no
bones of saying they would rather have
Taggart at the head of the national COM
mittee than Shively on the tail of the
ticket. With Taggart at the head of things
Indiana Democrats would have plenty of
the sinews of war, such as money and
prominent speakers, and the Indiana lead
ers would go step higher in the national
councils of the party. The arrival of S. E.
Morss, who is hourly expected. is being
awaited with much interest, and when he
and Taggart reach the Indiana headquar-
ters the dry bones will begin to rattle
This, then, is the situation: If the Indiana
Democrats were sincerely united in Shive-
lys favor he might muster sufficient out
side strength to place him on the ticket:
but, confronted by internal dissensions in
the Indiana crowd his boom may wither
and die before the first session of the con-
vention. An Indiana man said to-day:
There are indications that Shively is to
be the second victim of the great con-
spiracy,' hatched at Indianapolis by Tag
CART, Morss and others, and that after the
convention he will be a candidate for an
indefinite term in the political graveyard
where Frank B. Burke is now spending his
vacation
The Indiana delegates will meet at the
headquarters at the Coates House to-mor-
row at noon. Chairman Menzies. of the dele
cation. will preside, and the members of the
various committees will be selected Tag
sart will be elected national committee
man. While IL has been taken for granted
that s. E. Morss would be placed on the
resolutions committee, he may have a fight
on his hands. Ii is understood that he is
not acceptable to all the delegates, especial
ly in view of the stubborn fight which is
anticipated over the platform, and the dis
satisfied ones will insist on the selection of
G.. v. Menzies. They say he is the best
fighter In the delegation, and Indiana would
fare better with him on the committee
than with Morss. However. this is but al,
incident. and will add to the gayety of the
occasion. If nothing else.
EMBARRASSED MIR. SHIvELY
Late this afternoon a secret conference
vas held in "A room at the Coates House
that was participated in by Indiana men.
Those present were Chairman Martin,
James Murdock, Hugh Dougherty and G.