The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-28
His Friends Say that a Determined
Fight VIII BE Made Against
Joseph Z. BELL.
TAGGART'S SWAY IS OVER
"ANTIS" STRONG AND HOTLY DE-
MAND FAIR TREATMENT.
Almost a General Revolt i'm Demo-
cratic Lines Against Old Regime
MANY MaIcOntents.

Should Joseph E. Bell become a candidate
for mayor before the Democratic conven-
ton James l.. Keach will also be cand-
date. This is not according to the plans of
the Taggart machine, of which Mr.. Reach
has been an important piece. but it is ac
cordng to the plans of Reach. Mr.. Keach
is a rather eccentric sort of politician who
has a large following in the Democratic
ranks. and he has been thought of as a
candidate for mayor for at least two years.
Being intractable. the Taggart machine
has not pushed him. Mr.. Reach. it is
said by some of his friends, thinks, like
good many other machine Demo-
Gratis that Mr.. Taggart is exploded as
magical leader and that his domination of
city politics bodies no good for the party.
His friends are. consequently, announcing
that he will give Bell fight If the ma
chine tries to dictate his nomination.
AS a matter of fact, there is almost
general revolt in the Democratic lines
against the burden of the Taggart machine.
Those who have regarded the career of the
party for a number of years have reached
the conclusion that Taggart and his friends
got everything except the places on the
county ticket when there was no hope of
election. IT is related that last year when
it was decided to swing the machine in be-
hind Bell as a candidate for mayor that
Reach and one or two others threatened
revolt and Bell was quickly withdra wn
even after he had formally announced him
self as a candidate. Keach's friends say
he does not want the nomination and does
not want the office. If elected. but he is so
opposed to the nomination of Bell that he
would do everything to prevent 1t. Keachs
friends say the Taggart crowd is loath to
let 20 it's hold on the party machinery and
that the only way to break its grip is for
him to head an anti-machine movement
Said one of them:
AGAINST TAGGART.
There is, so far as / know, no purpose
to repudiate Taggart, but there is purpose
to take the mastery of the party from
him. His wonderful power of organization
is limited to occasions when he himself
was at stake, and then organization was
made by men like Keach. Polster. John
Christian, E. NJ. Johnson and others who
were personally strong. In 1900 and 1902
he has been effectless a leader or or
ganizer. In 1901 he made a futile effort to
dictate who his successor should be and
the vote that was polled for Moore. who
opposed Charles Mcguire in the primaries
indicated the opposition to his dictation
That element is stronger now than ever
We want a new deal all around-the same
kind Taggart asked and got in 1856 when
he first entered politics. There is another
generation in politics now and IL cannot he
cajoled with promises nor blinded by eulo-
eies about oily Toms greatness"
s friend of w. F. Moore said pJsterdav
that he would be a candidate agai1c un1ess
tho democrats selected some one besides
Rell Moore is not for Reach because he
remembers how Reach bought and adver-
ttsad Moore's brewery tickets in the Ia
citv nominating campaign. Moore. IL is be-
Heyed feels that with two candidates lika
Ksacb lighting there is a good chance for
him to slip in and get the plum. Moore re
Lived over 1000 votes out of IL 900 in tbs.
last nominating primaries
Tbe indications In the Democratic camn
ali noint TO a fierce struggle to oust the
,Taogart crowd. Disinterested Democrats
saT that Reach realizes that the "antis,'
are the strongest and that he wants them
20 have some one to concentrate on and
viii hold himself as a candidate until some
one satisfactory to all the "antis'' NAV Re
found But that he will oppose Bell If M
one else does is conceded TO be a fact