The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-06
Closing Demonstration of Republic
nH- at College Avenue and
Nineteenth street.
JOHN L. GRIFFITHS'S SPEECH
A sCORCHING ARRANGEMENT OF
TAGGART ADMINISTRATION.
The sentiments of All the Speakers
Literally APplauded-A SPLEEN
did Gathering.


meeting Of the voters Of the Second ward,
which was held in a big tent at the corner
of College avenue and Nineteenth street.
1t was unquestionably the largest and most
enthusiastic meeting Of the campaign. The
big tent was crowded almost to sufOcation,
and, although speeches were made by no
less than ten different orators, there was
no perceptible decrease in the size Of the
crowd from the time the first speaker was
introduced until the last had concluded his
remarks, at 1870 o'clock. The Character
of the meeting was commented upon by the
speakers as a refutation Of the charge,
emanating from Democratic sources. that
Republicans in the Second ward were luke
warm in their support of the present Re
publican city ticket.
The list Of speakers included Daniel L.
Storms of Lafayette. Nat L.. Hill of Bloom
ington, John L. Grifiths, Attorney General
Taylor. Z. ]. Robson, DR.. Henry W.. Rid
path. chairman OF the meeting. Daniel NJ.
RansdelI, II. s. New and Mr.. Bookwalter.
The three 'last-named speakers arrived
some time after the meeting had begun.
and as a consequence they were compelled
10 walk to the platform while Attorney
General Taylor was speaking. The inter-
ruption naturally attracted the attention of
the crowd, and when it became cOgnizant
of not only Mr.. BOokwalter's presence, but
also Of the fact that he was accompanied
by Mr.. Ransdell, who opposed him for the
Republican nomination for mayor two
years ago, the applause was almost deafen-
ing 1t was a complete verifcation of the
fact that the Republican party is a unit in
this campaign against Taggartism.
living to a misunderstanding a majority
OF the speakers did not arrive until after s
Q clock, and as the crowd had
fully half an hour before that time the
chairman OF the meeting was compelled to
call upon a number Of those in the crowd
for speeches preliminary TO the coming Of
those who had been assigned to the meet
THE FIRST SPEAKER.
The first to respond 20 the invitation of
the chairman was Daniel z. Storms. He
said it was not within his province to dis
cuss the local issues of the city campaign,
but that as a Republican he had a right to
urge upon all other Republicans the duty
which devOlved upon them. I'VE Republic
ans of Lafayette" said Mr.. Storms, land.
in fact, the Republicans all over the State
are looking with anxious eyes TO see what
you are going TO do to rid yourself of Dem
ocratic misrule in this city. This election
is not altogether local in effect, as il will
have its influence on future state and ma
tiOnal elections. To you, however, this
election is of much greater Importance than
- GNNA1 ~ 0NCh . hlNACAAhA tACCNAoAS "
you are more vitality interested. No man
can afford to be Indifferent to the way in
ministered. No difference what your per
sonal feeling may be against any candi-
date on the ticket. IL is a duty you I'VE
10 yourselves 20 go TO the polls and rid
yourself OF a debt-creating administration"
Nat L.. Hill spoke along the same lines
ans the vital Importance of doing all they
could to defeat the Democrats at the polls
next Tuesday.
MIR. GRIFFITH'S SPEECH. =
at the close of Mr.. Hll's remarks John
L. Grifths was called. and after the ap-
plause with which his presence was
greeted had subsidized spoke as follows:
I'VE are more interested in the choice Of
a mayor than in the election of a Governor
OF even a President. A considerable por-
ton of the taxes that we pay are paid for
know that they are honestly and ecOnom-
ically expended. The misgovernment Of
our large cities excites unfavorable com
ment at home and abroad. We have tenn
porary spasms Of reform, but quickly re-
lapse into our normal state OF indifference
and practices In municipal matters which
We would instantly condemn In the man
agement OF our private affairs. The nom
1nation or Seth Low for mayor OF New
York shows what can be done when the
people are aroused and determined and en-
thusiastic for the right. The speech that
Mr.. Low made in indianapolis last year
should be a model for all political speakers
IN this-that IL was entirely free from mis-
gained by the viIihcation OF an opponent,
save the contempt OF your hearers. 1t is
my purpose very briefly and dispassionate-
ly TO consider the present political situa-
tion In Indianapolis. Let US be perfectly
frank with each other. indianapolis is a
much more beautiful city than il was six
years ago. II is growing more beautiful
each day. and will continue to do so who
ever may be elected mayor. IL Mr.. Tag
CART Is entitled TO credit for the miles Of
streets that have been laid at an excessive
price 10 the property owners during his
ADMINISTRATIONS, let us freely bestow it
ments have been made without expense TO
the city. Il Is idle TO dwell upon them in at
tempting to account for the bonded indebt-
edness created and the temporary loans
noated. 1t is assumed by Mr.. Taggart's
supporters that all improvements would
have stopped II he had been defeated at
any time. when In fact he has simply car
rted out a policy which his predecessors
initiated. and which the growth OF the city
coerced. The question l want TO put to YOU
tonight Is this. have Mr.. Taggart's meth
DDS been q stimulus or a handicap TO the
city 5 reaI prospeIlty. New York city. UNI
ful and more corrupt than ar any time I'm
its history. It is estimated that Of the $9S.-
100000 appropriated last year for municipal
purposes in Greater New York over % per
cent. was distributed by the disburslng Off
GERS among themselves and their political
superiors- IL is no answer. therefore. TO
the charge OF municipal misrule 10 point to
asphalt streets and a park system and a
rev drt1St1C bridges ana thereby attempt
10 silence criticism. IL has always been
the endeavOr Of men who have despOiled a
city to divert attention from their misdeeds
by saying see the bOulevardS and bridges
and parks and receptacles for waste paper
that we created. and rejoice over our be-
nefcences instead OF condemning our ex-
t~ravagances.
MANAGEMENT OF FINANCES.
'"The management OF the finances OF the
city will be discussed by others. I desire
simply to say that a party which in six
years increased the bonded indebtedness
sn7,eo0. which has temporary loans out
standing a-ggregating. S95.OO0 and which re-
duced the tax levy 10 curry public favor,
thereby seriously interfering with the eff
cheney OF the police and fire departments.
has shown itself unworthy of confidence
and support.
1T II 20 the subject OF franchises that 1
wish 10 call your attention more particu-
larry. The applicants for them, II they have
been politically In favor with the admins
trarOn. have been treated i'm the same
manner that a municipality treats distin-
gulsned guests-they have been given the
freedom OF the city. In "A city with "A pop
ulatiOn OF nearly 20.O0O. with no uncertainty
a. 10 It's future. with its industries estab-
llShed and constantly growing IN number
and value AMI Importance, with the rapid
ceN eiopment Of interurban communicative
with All parts OF the State. who Will be
bold enough 20 say that any quasi public
monopoly should be tossed into the Lap
90 an applicant without any return 10 the