The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-23
TAGGART'S QUESTIONS.
An Answer to No. 3, Accompanied by
a Few InterrOgatOries.

To the Editor of the indianapolis Journal:
"Is Mr.. BoOkwalter in favor of taxing
gas mains under the power conferred upon
the Council by the city charter?'-Mayor
Taggart.
In answering this query it is well to first
find what right Mr.. Taggart has to ask
this question. Mr.. Taggart has been mayor
of this city for the past six years, and the
city charter contained the same provision
all that period of time. Why did he not
have such a measure passed during these
six years when he had a Democratic Coun-
Gil? He had the power; why did he not
use it? Had he any reason to protest on
account of the acts Of the Republican
Council. when for five years the different
Councils of his own political complexion,
under the lash of his own political whip,
bowed to the powers that be, and, with
servile allegiance, refused to pass the same
law he now asks Mr.. BOokwalter to in
dorse? Does not this SAVIOR of demagogy of
the worst type?
In a court of equity the one seeking re-
lief must come into that court with clean
hands. Are Taggart's hands stainless?
Why did he not pass that measure two
years ago, or four years ago, and thus pro-
vide for sufficient revenues, instead Of
hypocritically reducing the tax levy for
election purposes, and then resorting to
temporary loans and piling a bonded debt
upon the city treasury?
h official message, during the six
years Mr.. Taggart was mayor Of the city,
is there on file which would indicate that
he ever was in favor of the passage of this
ordinance, or that he is now? Why does
he not ask the Council now to pass the
ordnance? He may answer that 1t would
be of no use, that the Council would ignore
1t. II that be his answer, then l ask. II
that was the reason during the last six
years, why did he not propose the same to
a Democratic Council? Was he confident
that it also would ignore the desire OF the
head of this business administration
l also ask what "Me-TOo" Mcguire thinks
of this wonderful query Mr.. Taggart has
propounded to the Republican candidate?
Is Mr.. Mcguire in favor of taxing gas
mains? "A little louder, please"
The people of this city know that Mr..
Taggart during the long period Of his adj
ministration has bent like a reed to the
passing breeze at the behest Of the gas
company; that I5-cent gas was prom
ised TO the people and that 81 gas was Sc
cured; that through all these long years
the gas company has been charging the
maximum rates for a minimum of gas, and
that Mr.. Taggart and his supporters stood
supinely by and saw this ~usurpatiOn and
these O~vercharges and never uttered a
word, never lisped a single protest. Where
is their consistency? What is their record?
What right, after this chapter of criminal
disregard of the city's rights, has Mr.. Tag
cart to enter the controversy and with
Falstafiian effrontery, exclaim! See, L
have slain eleven men in buckram, Mr..
BoOkwalter; what do you propose to do?"
Does Mr.. Taggart think that the sober
judgment of the voters viii sustain such a
plea? OF the benefits derived by the people
from his administration, L can only say
that it strongly reminds rae of the Hoosier
and his gingerbread, of whom Lincoln told,
That there was no one on earth who liked
gingerbread more than he, and who got
less of it,"
Mayor Taggart's question No. u reads:
would Mr.. Bookwalter favor an ordi-
nance requiring gas companies to receive
pay only for the amount OF gas consumed,
under the present manner of supplying gas,
and is he willing to assist In the passing
of an ordinance protecting the consumers
against gas companies which collect pay
for their gas not used or delivered?
Answer-Are there any companies in this
city who do extort money for gas not
used or delivered? If so, how long have
they been holding people up in this style?
For the last four years? And was not Mr..
Taggart mayor all this time? If so, why
did he wait until now to mention the So
luton Of this problem? Is 1t a new idea
with him? Or has it, under the influence
of political anaeSthettcs, lain dormant in
his mind all this time, while the peoples
money was going into the Golfers of the
gas companies and Mayor Taggart was dis
pensing public favors 10 political friends?
If such an ordinance is the solution of
this problem, and Mr.. Taggart was aware
of the fact four years ago, why did he
not urge the Council to pass it? What pub
lie message of his Will hide this gaping
hole in his administration? Is not this the
first time in his life that Mr.. Taggart has
had the nerve and backbone to declare
his position? The people would like to
know why he did not declare himself be-
fore. Why wait until the burden of gov
eminent is to be shifted from his shoulders
10 those of Mr.. BOokwalter?
Citizens are getting tired of these death
bed repentances. Why did Mr.. Taggart not
speak out on this question two, four years
ago? Why this silence? Does he think per-
chance that "a little water will wash his Of
fetal hands of this bloody deed?' Does ne
believe that the voters will condone his
six years silence on this point with a sim
pie wave of his hand. a genial smile and
the hinging of an Interrogation point at the
next mayor of this city? The facts are that
this was known to Mr.. Taggart and to every
citizen long ago, and he was MAYOR and
refused TO move, and the companies still
collect in the same manner and still he re-
fuses 70 move. Now that the responsibility
is about to fall from his shoulders, he seeks
to escape from the results of his own faith
lessness by asking his successor what he
intends doing about the matter. Had Mr..
Taggart done his duty while mayor and
advocated the measure he now asks Mr..
BOokwalter to support, the problem would
have been solved long ago and his question
would have needed no answer.
PUBLIC POLICY.
indianapolis, Sept. u.
EXCITING BICYCLE RACE.