The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-11
Not for Years Has the Party Been So
Divided ON Purely Municipal
Questions.
WHAT KEACH's SUCCESS MEANS
1T WOULD SOUND DEATH KNELL TO
TAGGART MACHINE.
Several Strenuous Days I'm store for
the Leaders of Both Factions I'm
Fight for Supremacy.

The crisis in the local Democracy will be
passed this week. Six days, beginning to-
day, will be devoted to the most active
organization fight in the history Of the
party. Not since 1896 has the party been
so divided and not since 1893 has 1t been so
divided on purely municipal questions.
In 1896 it was the silver question that
split the party and the silverites won in
spite of the possession of all the election
machinery by Taggart. Kern and the 9TH
er leaders. In 1893 the denomination Of
Mayor Sullivan for a third term was a
trying situation for Taggart and his ma
chine. which was then new and not pro-
vided with the improved attachments 1t
now possesses. The party did not want to
renominate Mayor Sullivan. Col. M. A.
Downing, in a fair fight. would have been
nominated. That would not have been a
Taggart victory, and Taggart demanded
control and his nominee at the sure cost
Of defeat. In 1896 the machine was simply.
overwhelmed by the unorganized silver
horde. Since then the Taggart machine has
recovered its grasp on the organization,
has had things its own way until James
L. Reach announced his purpose to wrest
control from 1t.
MADE HIS PURPOSE CLEAR.
At the start Reach made his purpose
clear. He said he intended to smash the
machine. If there were enough Demo-
Gratis in the city to do this he said he
would be their servant If the Democrats
want the Taggart machine he would give
them opportunity to say so. He has left
no room for doubt as to what his election
meant and every step of his fight has been
directed against Taggart, Tanning. Bell
and Kern.
Keach's candidacy involves two elements
of the party-his large personal follow
ing, which includes the anti-Bryan element
and the element-Bryan and anti-Bryan-
that is anti-Taggart. Reach. too, has
opened the way for many young men OF
the party who regard the Taggart machine
as block to their success. Arrayed
against Reach are the numberless person.
al followers Of Taggart, the men he has
obligated by administration favors and the
power and intelligence and Is possessed OF
the machinery of the primaries 1t is deal
are those who believe Reach can win with
a fair deal, but there are few who believe
that the machine is going to possess so i'm
without using 1t to the best advantage.
KEACHs ORGANIZATION
Reach has an organization built on the
same plan as the official organization. 1t
is long on Gold Democrats. Half the Official
organization belongs to 1t. 1t Is well ordered
and has worked along systematic lines. 1t
is thought to be better than the official or
ganization. (which Tanning controls. and
the use of which Taggart, Bell. Kern and
the others will have Reach is rich and has
powerful financial friends. that his
ganization will not look far for fianancing.
The machine, too, has ample financial re-
sources and many clubs to use that Keach
cannot reach. Reach regarded as the
shrewdest Of the old machine leaders-in
fact one OF the men who was detailed for
the big schemes and who always delivered
the goods. He is bold and practical and
undoubtedly furnishes the most powerful
and astute leadership against the machine
that has ever been offered.
On the other hand. the machine has the
political sagacity of Taggart- This is rec
sesses. For seventeen years Taggart has
personal triumph In 1895 in his election for
MAYOR three times. Before the party was
aware of IL he had constructed the machine
that has remained inyincible every year.
except in 1886. when a sudden and unex-
pected question precipitated IL into the mire
But IL was dragged cut promptly, mas
oueraded In silver. and regained Its old
standing within a year. Two years ago II
dictated the nomination of Charles Ma
guire and met defeat. The vote polled for
W. F.. Moore at that time was a surprise,
being nearly 10 per cent. Of the vote cast
and was regarded by politicians as indi-