The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-01
The Present Notable Squabble Has Di-
vided the Membership OF the
Indiana Club.
TANNING DUE HERE NEXT WEEK
HE Is EXPECTED THEN TO ANNOUNCE
DATE OF PRIMARIES.
1t Is Conceded that If Bell Uses All
the Power Of the Machine He Can
Defeat the Field.

Chairman Tanning, Of the Democratic
committee, is expecting to return from
French Lick next week and announce the
date when the Democratic primaries are to
be held. Whether Mr.. flaming announces
the date on his return Is not so sure as
his return. 1t is understood that his pres
ence is necessary, as it has developed that
the whole primary election machinery is
being made by Joseph E. Bell, the Taggart
candidate for mayor.
The Reach forces assert that they have
indisputable evidence that Bell is organiz-
ing the election boards In the various pre-
cincts and that in precincts where the pres
ent committeeman are against him he is
not asking recognizing their sugges-
tions as to election boards. They assert
that the law makes 1t the duty of the chair
man to appoint the election boards and that
the custom of the party for many years
has been to recognize the authority of the
committeeman to name the boards. Bell, it
is asserted, has usurped the functions of
Chairman Tanning, during his absence
from headquarters, and almost completed
the organization of the precinct board
WHAT KEACH MEN SAY.
The Keach men SAY they see in this a
purpose to control the committee first to
secure the selection Of John w.
Kern or someone else friendly to Bell
and then to use it to procure Bells
nomination. They charge that there is no
purpose to use Kern as the active chair
man, but that vice chairman is to be
chosen who will be the whole thing. If
Bell can control bare majority of the
precinct committeeman a resolution is to
be passed authorizing the chairman to fill
all vacancies. When the new ward and
precinct boundaries are established, as the
law requires probably one-third of the
precinct committee will be legislated out of
office and this will give the chairman an
opportunity to appoint new ones. This
would result in Bell controlling the COM
mittee so effectively that he could use it
to nominate himself.
The Bell men say there was an effort to
organize the election boards because Fam
ming not at headquarters to do it. and
il was generally supposed he would call the
primaries for next Saturday. The failure to
call the primaries has resulted I'm arrange
ments by which Tanning will return and
carry the plans into effect officially. Bell
is treasurer of the committee. but the Law
gives the sole appointing power to the
chairman.
The Democratic situation is without a
parallel in the history of the city. The
Reach force Is large one, and Ii Is be-
lieved would easily win In a fair fight. but
that the machine intends TO use all its re-
sources to maintain control. Not the least
of the effects of the campaign is found at
the Indiana Club, where the membership is
divided The Bell men claim Reach is re-
sponsible for the condition by obstinately
refusing to accede to any kind of COM
promise. The Keach men talk OF taking i'm
portant and far-reaching steps, and say
II "any one gets hurt as result, that per-
son must blame himself.
DEMOCRATIC HEADQUARTERS.
Democratic headquarters are still open In
the Thorpe block, but not even the mouches
seek them Keach's rooms across the hall
are also open.
Many Democrats who are not taking
hands in the squabble are witing for the
result before declaring their intention to
run for office. II Bell wins several men will
announce their candidacy for mayor. and
the machine candidate will find the oppo-
sition to him formidable. Because of this
the machine II anxious to control the party
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 COL. ~