The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-29
PLENTY OF FREE BEER
1T Is PART AND PARCEL OF THE
DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN.
Many Meetings Are Held Near Saloons
and the beverage IL Given Away
Pledges Broken.

The past week has demonstrated the
utter inability of the Democratic organiza-
ton Of this city TO stand by an agreement
which. if carried out, would have elevated
municipal politics to a much higher plane.
At the beginning of the campaign the
chairmen of both the Republican and the
Democratic city committees agreed that it
should be exception in that neither of
the political parties would furnish, either
directly or indirectly, any free beer TO that
large class of constituents which always
demands it from the beginning to the end
OF every campaign. The chairmen also en-
tered into an agreement that they would
not furnish rent money to that class of
voters who are always about to move I'M
less their rent is paid. would they dis
tribute any money among the bOOdlers who
are always on hand to make the lives of
the candidates most miserable during the
few weeks previous to the election. Just
how well II Sc latter promises of the city
Chairmen have been kept is entirely profile
matical as it would be almost impossible to
secure evidence of a breach of faith on the
part of either party to the agreement. Such
is not the case however, with the free beer
compact. The violation of this agreement
on the part of the Democrats has been so
open and notorious that it is doubtful and
even probable that they were not in good
faith when they entered into it,
TAGGART METHODS.
Mayor Taggart began taking an active
part in the campaign last Monday Imme-
diately the old Taggart methods were
everywhere apparent and beer began to
flow as free as water. The mayor and Mr..
Mcguire confined their operations during
the whole week to the South Side wards.
Every day preparations were made for the
night and every night was a revel. Mon
day, Tuesday and Wednesday nights mat
tiers were pretty warm In the Twelfth,
Thirteenth and Fourteenth wards. but the
climax was reached on Thursday night
when the mayor, Mr.. Mcguire and party
started to whoop things up IN the bloody
Fifteenth" The respectable citizens who
dwell in the Fifteenth Ward accustomed
as they are to the lively times which
usually obtain there during election times,
were nevertheless shocked and Mortified at
the scenes which ensued during and subse-
quent to the visit of the Democratic cam
paigners.
In no previous campaign was there ever
so much beer given away in single night.
Every saloon that was visited kept open
house Men became intoxicated and in
cited by the speeches of the man at the
head of the city administration, forgot that
there was such thing as law and order,
whOOpS of a CuSal
BECAME BOLDER.
AS the night wore on some of the holder
ones would stand up to the bar of a sa-
loon and openly advocate the opening of the
saloons seven days in the week. ''Hurrah
for Taggart-I mean Maguirel" one would
shout; hes the boy for us. If We elect
him We'll get our beer on Sunday same
as any other day" Others would put in
the time abusing Mr.. BoOkwalter because
he had promised to enforce the law. mo
side doors with him. Bill" was a common
expression. Late in the night the mayor
and his party slipped away, but the crowd
of followers shouted and sang away the
small hours Of the morning unmolested by
police interference.
This breach of faith on the part of the
Democrats has not escaped the notice of
Republican managers, but instead of fol-
lowing the precept which has been given
them they have the more persiStentiy stuck
to their resolution not to give away any
beer during the campaign. They have not
been parsimOniOus, however, and there has
not been a meeting of any consequence at
alcoholic stimuants have not been fur
niShed the crowd In several instances
ice cream and cake have been served, but
at most of the meetings there has usually
been a feast of watermelonS.
1t is probable that the Democrats fell
CART methods of getting votes, as it has be-
come apparent to them of late that des-
perate remedies would have to be reSorted
to in order TO hold even their own vote III
line. The Republicans believe that they can
win without free beer.