The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-02
A Safe Guess that the Mayor Himself
Is Being Annoyed by the
Problem.
EVERYTHING WAITS ON HIM
DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE SMOTHER
ING OTHER CANDIDATES.
The Chiefs Ambition to BE National
Chairman Is n Big Element
in the Matter.

The followers of Mr.. Taggart are per-
sistent in declaring he will be a candidate.
The fact that such prominent Democrats
as j. +. Christian. II. n. Span. W. o.
Reveal. a. Steffen and y. Kiefer have, APP
p~arently on their own motion, presented a
petition to Chairman Tanning with Mr..
Taggarts name on it as a candidate.
coupled with the more significant fact that
although q large number of Democrats have
filed certificates of their candidacy for
places on the ticket. Chairman Tanning
has so far failed TO make public the names
OF any other candidates than Taggart and
Geckler. not only lends color to the story
that Taggart intends being a candidate. but
indicates pretty strongly that the Demo-
cratic city committee, headed by Tanning,
expects to name those who will be his
running mates on the ticket.
w. w. Spencer. a member of the board of
election commissioners and a close friend
Of Taggart's, made the statement yesterday
afternoon that as Mr.. Taggart's name had
been certified to the city chairman as a
candidate for denomination, he nor another
person could now withdraw it. 1t is said
by others, however. that this is only a
scheme among he friends OF Taggart to
make it appear that he is forced into being
" 49, W HON ~ -
also suggested that Taggart must have
been In on the scheme and is probably re-
sponslDle Tor It's inception, as. had he been
IN earnest about not wanting the nomina-
ton and had made that fact clear TO his
friends, they would not have had the te-
merlty to place his name In nomination
TAGGART'S FUTURE.
Again, 1t is said that Taggart Is in earnest
when he declares he does not want the
nomination. Those who take this view
rU,ta fhot o-ra- IA l.. -
to gain In seeking the office for a fourth
term. 1t would add nothing to his popu-
larity. they say. and he is in a position at
present where he can afford TO ignore the
emoluments that might come to him as
mayor.
II is urged that Taggart remembers the
story of the pitcher which went once too
often TO the well and appreciates what de-
feat would mean to him. 1t is well known
that Mr.. Taggart has an eye on the Demo-
cratic national Craftsmanship, and if defeat
ed FOR a fourth term as mayor his chances
Tor that plum would be considerably less
ened. 1t is a knowledge of this fact pos
sessed by Taggarts friends which puts
him in a very embarrassing position. On
the occasion when Mr.. Taggart was visited
Dy four members OF the Democratic city
committee and entreated by them to with
hold the publication of his letter i'm which
he stated that he would decline TO accept
the nomination If it We're given to him,
he was accused of being afraid TO run for
fear lie would %jeopardize his chances of the
national ~chulrnanShlp. III was In response
to this charge that Taggart agreed to post
pone the publication of his letter.
1t is believed that If Taggart will agree
to- accept the nomination an effort will be
made to have w. r. Moore get out of the
way and allow him a clear field. 1t is said
that this would be easy OF accomplishment,
as Moore has had il pretty plainly demon
strated that he is not wanted by the action
of the Democratic city committee In arbi-
trarily inviting Taggart TO be a candidate
after Moore had not only announced his
candidacy. but had opened headquarters
i'm the Stevenson building, The question
arises, however. as TO how Moore's name
would be kept OFF the ticket even if he were
prevent Taggart from Withdrawing his
name from the ticket il would have the
same operation in Moore's case.
OUTSIDERS TO BE SMOTnERED.
Whether Taggart is or is not a candidate,
it is pretty certain that Tanning and a few
others OF the Democratic city committee
intend fixing up the rest of the ticket to
suit themselves. Tanning admits that a
number Of candidates for councilman at
large and for ward councilman have filed
certificates with him, but he persistently
declines TO make them public. AS a conse-
quence, numerous complaints are heard
keeping everybody in the dark until they
have had time to fix up the slate to their
liking. the scheme being to give the slated
candidates for councilman at large the
first six places on the ticket. which would
practically insure their nomination.
George +. Williamson announced last
night that he was a candidate Ior the Dem
ocratic nomination for city clerk, and said
his name was on the ticket TO stay. Five or
Wiliiamson's friends yesterday certified his
name to the Democratic city committee for
a place on the ticket. He lives in the same
ward with City Clerk Gecklcr, who is a
-, q q for .naD,f,ntfnn