The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-14

carry Indiana next year and elect a ma
jorfty of the members of the Legislature. a
most Democrats. a seat in the United States
Senate would be within his reach, and he
would grasp for IL with considerable more
avidity than for any other political prefer
has gone frequently with the chairmanship
Of the national committees, and Mr.. Tag
CART would lind il more than acceptable.
Mr.. Taggart's progress as precinct, ward,
city. county and. finally. state boss has
been slow, covering a period Of some fifteen
or eighteen years. but it has been equally
sure. There have been times, it is true,
when his leadership was threatened. and
once or twice. notably last winter, when II
was freely predicted that he was out Of the
running. The recent fight for the chair
manship of the city committee, resulting
in the election of James l.. Reach, was
hailed in many quarters as the passing OF
Taggart. His friends mourned and his enc
mics rejoiced that at last the chieftain had
been put down and out for all time. How
ever, they had underestimate their man.
His man was defeated for the city chair
manship, and the party reins were taken
temporarily from his hands, but the new
driver speedily discovered that the DEM
ocratic animal was unruly and unresponsive
10 new hands. Reach m 10 get
through the campaign without Taggarts
assistance, and, in fact, spurned Taggart's
sincere proffers of help, but there came a
time when he realized that he was facing
inevitable defeat. Then he sent for Tag
CART, acknowledged his extremity and gave
the reins back into the old, familiar hands:
1t was not until after the election and
Taggart began garnering the fruits OF his
labors that the public realized how, within
his party, he had wrested victory from de-
feat, and was more securely than ever IN
control of the local Democracy. 1t was q
great triumDh nnQupStionably. and he may
well be pardoned the one little expression
of satisfaction he permitted himself. Ten
days or two weeks after the election some
friends were quiZZing him down at French
Lick over the Democratic situation here.
II wonder" he said, with his inscrutable
smile, how Jim (Keach) enjoys running
things up at Indianapolis"
BOSS is a hard word, and lots Of peo-
pie don't take kindly to it," said a Demo-
crat who ranks as one of the leaders last
evening at the Grand. but I say call a
spade a spade. Tom Taggart is the boss,
and he makes 'em like it."
All OF which is true, and it may be added
that the fact that Mr.. Taggart can make
'em like Ii" is the reason of all reasons that
he is the boss. He has made the rank and
file of the party and most of the leaders,
like him, has made them proud of him and
proud of his power. 1t is the old story of
nothing succeeding like success, and when
he made his recent coup and turned tne
tables on Reach, John r. Wilson and Steri-
ing X. Holt, he not only held the waverlns
of his followers in line, but made more new
followers than by any other one stroke IN
cratic animal is like its brother In the other
provinces-it wants TO be driven and wants
a driver, or, If not a driver, someone to lead
or coax it along. Taggart Is not only q
4 DoaStar hand with the whin- h1 can lead
and coax and wheedle at the right times.
| Therefore, as the boss he Is respected, ad-
mired and liked.
His methods are those of all successful
party leaders. Personally he is always ap-
proachable. always afable. Lincoln Stef-
fens says of the Tammany leaders: They
speak pleasant words, smile friendly smiles
notice the baby, give picnics, find jobs" The
same may be said of the Indiana Democratic
boss. He gets in personal touch with the
greatest possible number OF the. rank ano
file. makes each a lieutenant with a feel
ing of responsibility and power, however
limited, distributes his rewards judiciously
never forgets a friend and never Furnishes
an enemy except in extreme cases where q
wholesome example is necessary. He pro-
ceeds on the sound principle that an enemy
Modified and made a friend is the equivalent
of making two friends, and worth even more
in the long run. 1t was freely predicted
after Keach's temporary victory in the loca
fight that Taggart would revenge himself
by throwing his influence to the Republicans
and defeating the Reach Democratic ticket
at the polls. Republican workers made
much Of this, for it was a part of the game
Taggart could undoubtedly have done this
but nothing could have been farther from his
policy. He would have gained nothing bu
the qualification Of a personal grievance an(
instructive desire for revenge and wouit
party that would have continued for year:
and knocked out all his plans. So he waited
his time and it came. Even after tn
election, when ii was seen that Taggart wa
the real power and the real boss, Their
were predictions that he would speedil,
square accounts with Reach. Taggart con
sidered his account with Reach square
when the latter came to him and turned owe
the party reins. He can use Reach and b,
using him keep the party together, fo
may even come to pass that he will max,
Reach chairman of the State committee
for he will need a trusty lieutenant as tn
Reach will be a 'trusty'' from now on
His one experience in leading a revolt t
set himself up as the dictator was health
full. If not altogether satisfactory to him
1t has been demonstrated that Reach Is a.;
good hired hand, but a poor boss" tt
nasty medicine, but there's nothing to It blu
gulp it down n look as pleasant a
possible.
And so Taggart is the boss Of Indian;
Democracy, with the craftsmanship of tn
national committee almost within hi
grasp and a delusive, seductive vision Of
seat In the Senate before him. Some Dem
ocrats are Indifferent, many are glad t
nave a boss and glad Taggart's the mar
while a few are s%quirming. For instance
John r. Wilson,, but a few short month
ago, had visions of his own, chief Of whicl
was his accession to Taggart's position a
members of the Democratic national com
mittee from Indiana. The consummatio
Of his vision hinged on Keach's success a
city chairman and the seizing Of the Stat
organization, and somebody broke tn
hinge. Even these squirmers will be paci
fled and Modified in time, however,
Taggart is given half a chance. The hos
believes In peace and harmony, and abhor
fractional disturbances. No one in the Dem
ocratic party deprecated more than he tn
split within the party over Bryan an
Organism. No principle or personal differ
ence ~justifies a fight within the party, /
his opinion. 1t has been said that a states
man is a man who fights for principle; ant
again, that a statesman is a dead politi
clan. However that may be, Thomas Tag
CART is a politician, for he is very niue
alive and Is not one to contend for prime
pie in the face of inevitable defeat If b
sacrificing part or all of principle part
success can be attained.
Dunbar ovvno pox~ A.