The Indianapolis journal., 1903-07-13
Formers Fist of Steel VIII Tighten
Its Hold About the Adams Apple
of the Keach Candidate.
SAGE OF FRENCH LICK's STAND
HE AND CRAWFORD FAIRBANKS
WILL BE FOR MCCULLOUGH.
Moore and Mccullough Working
Hand in Hand to Prevent the
Nomination of Hoffman.

The steel fist of Thomas Taggart, vel
vet gloved. is clutching at the political
throat Of John w. Hoffman, and If 1t come
within tightening distance of that gentle
mans Adams apple the Reach candidate
will most certainly be done for. Taggart.
and the battle-scarred warriors of the old
regime that still proudly hail him chief, are
determined to beat Holtzman by fair means
or foul. 1t is no secret that Taggart has
chosen James Z. Mccullough as his candi-
date, but the method by which Hoffman
is to be whipped in convention did not de-
velop until last week.
The basis of the plan is the complaisance
of William A. Moore, the only one of the
candidates, with the exception of Hoffman
and Mccullough, that is able to command a
following. Moore has strength and that
was recognized at the beginning OF the con-
test. He has not enough to secure his own
ton, but he does hold the key to the
situation. all those who are familiar with
the inside Of things firmly believe. Taggart
recognizes this and was quick to see the
value of an amicable arrangement with
Moore. AS it stands to-day Mccullough and
Moore forces are working in perfect har-
mony. Neither is trying TO undermine the
strength of the other in any precinct, but
both are combined TO fight Holtzman in
every precinct and every ward.
TAGGARTS INSTRUCTIONS.
Taggart's instructions. issued from the
Grand Hotel about ten days ago. have
leaked out. He had just come from a
stormy interview with Chairman Keach. in
which Keach entreated him to keep out of
h. Rr~,t
without his influence being exerted for
any particular man. Taggart refused
point blank. He had come to the
awoved purpose OF coming out OPEN
ly for Mccullough and of doing per-
sonal work for his favorite. He made this
concession to Reach, that he would not
openly antagonize Holtzman by going in
person among the precinct workers, but he
refused to refrain from working for McCul-
Tough through his friends. He told Reach
in many words that he could not stand
for Holtzman. Crawford Fairbanks, owner
of the Terre Haute Brewing Company, was
at the Grand when Taggart made his visit
to the city. Fairbanks is one of the most
redoubtable enemies that Hoffman will
have to meet. With Taggart's personal in
f1uence and Fairbanks's money and cam
paign fluids directed against him, Holtz-
mans existence is not going to be all beer
and skittles.
After this conference Taggart got the Nc
-
cautioned them against antagonizing their
men in any precinct. If, in any precinct
the Mccullough men are able TO show a
preponderance of strength, the Moore
forces are to retire from that precinct and
not attempt to make Inroads on the Nc
Cullough strength. If, in any precinct,
Moore is able to show he has the call. the
Mccullough people are to recognize the
situation and refrain from fighting Moore.
Both are to work hand In hand to down
Hoffman wherever he shows his head
sc m hs no al Of
kind between Mccullough and Moore be-
fore the convention They are simply to
keep from fighting each other.
CONCESSIONS TO EACH OTHER
This plan is being carried out In every
precinct. Wherever Mccullough is able to
show that he can command the precinct the
Moore men retire. Wherever Moore can
produce the goods Mccullough managers
recognize his standing and let him alone in
that precinct. The result of all this is that
there is no bitterness between Mccullough
and Moore personally or between their fol-
lowers. If in convention Mccullough can
not win without Moore and needs his help
matters are so arranged that he will in all
probability get it. If Moore is the stronger
man and can bring more votes to the con-
vention than Mccullough = which is. of
q position to ask McCullough's support and
will In all probability get ii.
Hoffman is running up against this ar
rangement all over the city, and is power
less to meet IL effectively. Do what he will
he is fought by Mccullough and Moore
wherever there is chance to cripple him
He cannot turn 10 Madden, because Madden
has nothing behind him worthy OF consid-
Grafton He has got to fight his battle
alone, and the prospect, IL is recognized is
getting darker day after day.
OLD CROWDS REVENGE.
Early in the summer when 1t became
known that Reach was doing everything in
his power TO secure Holtzmans nomina tion
1t was thought Holtzman would have a
walkover. The Keach-Holtzman people
sneered at Taggart. Tanning. Bell and the
rest OF the old crowd. saying they were
discredited by the party. that the Demo
Gratis in Indianapolis wanted no more OF
them, that their influence had so waned
that IL was unworthy serious thought,
and so on. But Taggart is in the contest
with all his old-time energy. snrewdness,
vast personal prestige and army OF follow
ers, who think there is nobody like Tom"
He Is making IL his business TO see that
Holfzman Is beaten. He prefers McCul-
Tough personally. but IL Moore can turn
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2. COL. So