The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-06
THE DRIFT OF POLITICS.

Silver Club and many other Indianapolis
Democrats were waiting TO hear from W.
j. Bryan before they decided whether to
support the Democratic city ticket nomi-
mated by Chairman Reach and few of his
assistants ten days ago, has created con-
siderable of a furry among the machine
Democrats, and a movement has been
started TO counterfeit the effect of the ad-
vice Mr.. Bryan may give his loyal follow
ers or to bluff him out of giving any adj
vice whatever. The local Democratic organ,
the Evening Harmonica, was given a
'hunch" yesterday by the machine powers
that be. and II came out with a news ar
ticle and an editorial last evening which
gives Mr.. Bryan to understand that he had
better keep hands off in the Indianapolis
municipal contest. Editorially the Harmoni-
ca is facetious, stating that the members
of the Indiana Silver Club are unreason-
able in asking Mr.. Bryan how they shall
vote. and that while it would be a severe
mental strain for them to decide the Ques-
ton themselves they should not overwork
their idol. Thenew article states in flarng
headlines that prominent followers of the
Nebraska leader object to the proposition
to ask his advaice on the municipal situa-
ton, but in the article itself the headlines
are contradicted by the statement that
DR.. L. N. Howard, the president of the
club. and Edwin ST. George Rogers, two
of the leading Bryan Democrats in the
city. were at the Grand Hotel bright and
early yesterday in order to interview Mr..
Bryan If he put in appearance.
Judging from former efforts to bluff Mr..
Bryan on one proposition or another. 1t is a
foregone conclusion that the present at
tempt will be barren of success. 1t will be
recalled that at the memorable Kansas
City convention an attempt was made to
bluff him into consenting that the plat
form contain no reference to the Chicago
platform and outline issues materially diff
ferent from those upon which he had fought
his first fight, but he would not recede an
| inch and the buffers retired In confusion.
The mission of the modern Don Quixote
is TO fight and right wrongs whenever and
wherever he may find them. He admits IT.
One of the greatest wrongs of the day, In
his opinion, is the attempted prostitution
of Democracy by men who deserted their
party shrine in 1896 and 1900 and have not
since done bitter penance in sackcloth. and
ashes. The Democratic party in Indianapo-
lis is now in the hands of a few such men
and Mr.. Bryan knows 1T. and he knows
domination to the State organization as a
part of the general plan of the 'reorgan-
izers" to gain control of the party nation
ally. Under the circumstances 1t is not to
be expected that he will pay the slightest
attention to the intimation from the
local Democratic organ that he must
his business with his mouth closed when
his followers in this city ask his advice as
to the course they shall pursue. Mr.. Bryan S
oft-reitered advice to the regulars" is,
Whenever you see the head of reor-
ganizer' bob up in precinct ward. township,
county, city, State or national Democratic
politics take a crack at it. Mr.. Bryan be-
leves that the greatest evil that threatens
his party is the work of these ''reorgani-
zers,'' and his remedy Is to put them out
of business wherever they attempt TO nave
anything to say as to policies or cand1-
dates They have secured the upper hand
| in Indianapolis. and If he is consistent he
can but advise his followers here to do
their uttermosr to defeat them. That means
that the regulars" should nominate an in
dependent city ticket or vote the Republic
an or Prohibition ticket. Mr. Bryan never
advises his adherents to stay away from
the polls.
Dr. Howard and Mr.. Rogers were greatly
disappointed yesterday when they learned
that Mr.. Bryan was not coming back to In
dianapolis during the day, but had gone
| over into Ohio However, they expect to
| meet him here this week. DR.. Howard says
he has received letter from him, presuma-
| bly, in answer to the appeal for advice on
| the local situation, but he refuses to dlvuige
| it's contents at this time. DIR. James Carter
another of this coterie, Is said TO have de-
| clared that he will be a candidate for mayor
| on an independent ticket which Will include
| candidates for city clerk, police judge and
| councilmen at large. He announces himself
| as an uncompromising Kansas City plat
/
votes from both Republicans and Demo
Gratis
T. Taggart came up from French Lick
| yesterday, and again gave the Hoffman
ticket his cordial Endorsement, making
statement for the press in which he said
| that it was the duty of every Democrat and
every other citizen of Indianapolis to join
| in the support of the entire Democratic city
| ticket In other words, the public is assured
| once more that a dose of Holtzmanism viii
| be another dose of Taggartism.
| Mr. Taggart was asked when he would
| have his little Democratic reunion at French
Lick and said that the exact date depends
| upon Mr.. Bryan. The latter has indicated
to Mr.. Taggart that he will be glad to be
| his guest some time this month. National
| Democratic Chairman Jones has said thai
he will come at any date chosen, and 1t Il
understood that Carter Harrison and 9
| number of other Chicago Democrats are
waiting only for the high sign to descend
on French Lick in body. Mr.. Bryan viii
| week, and it is regarded as probable thai
arrangements will be made for him to spend
| Sunday. the 18th, with Mr.. Taggart, ant
| that the love" feast Will be held at tha
| time.
Gen Rufus Magee, of LOgansport, wht
| was but a few years since one of the active
leaders of Indiana Democracy. paid a visi
to Indianapolis yesterday. his first in 81,
| years He came as one of committee Of
Logansport citizens to appear before the
! Board of Public Works and present an argu
ment for the favorable consideration by thu
| board of the application for franchise by
the new railroad that promises direct linz
from Logansport to Indianapolis. Later IL
| the day General Magee held informa
reunion with Gen. George F. McGinnis, Ad
| miral Brown, Smiley N. Chambers and on
| or two others of his old friends, and for al
hour they chatted of old times. Maj. w. II
Snider of Logansport, was also one of TIT
| party.
General Magee no longer takes an activ'
| part in politics, he says, and pays little at
| tentjon to the political trend. His retire
| ment from the political arena dates from
| the entrance of w. j. Bryan, in 1896 III
was one of the many Democrats who coult
not support Bryan and the free-silver plat
form, and, as he was a member of tn
| Democratic state committee at that time
he promptly rendered his resignation ant
Joined the Gold Democratic forces in sup
| porting Palmer and Buckner. In 1860 tn
| Gold Democrats had no ticket, and Genera
| Magee voted for the reelection OF Presiden
Mckinley, although he voted the Demo
| cratic state ticket that year. He is still
| Democrat If his party will return to its ole
paths. but he will have none of Bryan o.
Organism.
| nomination next year." he said last even
| Mr. Cleveland. 1t may be that he woul,
| not consent IN become a candidate or tina