The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-08
TALK OF JAMES |. KEACH
DEMOCRATS WILL URGE HIM AS A
CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR.
Some of Them Profess 10 Think He
Would BE n Note-Getter-The
Withdrawal of Taggart.

The positive declaration Of Mayor Tag
CART that he will not accept a renomina-
ton has led TO much speculation as 10
who will be the nominee. But while the
names Of many democrats are being sug-
gested the indications are that TaggaTt's
mantle has been prepared for Joseph T..
Bell. There are some who still insist that
o j. Appel will be the nominee. but as
Mr.. Appel has positively refused to be a
candidate mis- nomination is very improb-
able. The fact that the party managers
Immediately wired Bell. who was az Col
lege Corner, o.. notifying him of Taggart's
refusal TO run and asking him to come
home at once, is taken 20 be indicative of
the fact that the Taggart Democrats and
those who control the machine have agreed
upon Bell as their candidate.
Bell arrived in the city yesterday at noon
and went at once 10 his Office in the Stew
enson building. where he was met by Chair
man Tanning. When asked if he intended
to be a candidate he said he had not yet
had time to make up his mind.
But will you accept the nomination If
it is given To you?"
II really couldn't say until 1 have
thought more about it," he replied.
William f. Moore, the only candidate in
the field at present, is still confident that
he will be the nominee. He said yester-
day that he could not see how the with
drawal of Mr.. Taggart would affect his
chances in the least. Il am making my
own fight for the nomination" said Mr..
Moore" regardless of who is a candi-
date, and l believe that l will be the NOM
inee."
The action of Taggart in declining TO ac-
cept the nomination almost caused a panic
in the basement of the courthouse yes
terday and all day long his henchmen were
audibly wondering to whom they had bet
ter tie in the hour of their desertion. 1t
was the general opinion among most of
them that Bell would be good to them,
thought that the strongest man they could
possibly nominate, now that Taggart was
urged that Reach was particularly strong
on the South Side and that in addition his
~well-known business ability would cause
the business men of the city to rally TO
his support, and that altogether he would
be a very formidable candidate. There
are rumors of other candidates entering the
city committee. which is composed of Jo-
Scph 7. Tanning and others, to really say
who the nominee shall be.
MIR. KEACH NONCOMMITTAL.
James L. Reach seemed to take the re-
port circulated last night that he is a posi-
BILE Democratic candidate for the nominal
ton for mayor as a surprise, n when
asked if he intended making a canvass for
the nomination he said:
MY ambition is TO have a bigger pile of
potatoes and bigger potatoes than any
other mar and TO have a bigger pile of APP
pies and redder apples than any of my com
petitors.'
What are your political ambitions and
would you refuse or accept the nomination
II the sentiment in favor of you reaches
proper proportions?" was asked.
THAT is a question which l do not like
to answer" said Mr.. Reach. IF l refuse
10 answer 1t you will say that l am a re-
ceptive politician and if ] answer it you
will say that L am bigoted. l really have
enough business to keep me busy without
going after an Office"
Mr.. Reach told q story TO show that he
had been accosted many weeks ago regard
ing the mayoralty nomin alton.
"A man came into my office some time
ago." said Mr.. Reach, "ano he said / should
run for mayor, as L would get the German
vote. He then asked me in the same breath
what insurance company l was insured in