The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-15
Fort Wayne Senator Causes Sensa-
ton and Flatly Refuses to
Indorse Leader.
HATCHET is NOT BURIED
VIII Make Fight Against Latter in
His Race for National Chair
man of Party.
ASSAIL APPORTIONMENT
District Convention Dates Set
Jackson Day Celebration Is
Called Off.


stalwarts yesterday at the Grand Hotel
developed two important facts: First. that
all is not peace and harmony within the
party ranks. and that Stephen B. Fleming.
district chairman from the Twelfth. will not
bury the hatchet and make peace with
Thomas Taggart: second that the Demo-
Gratis have hatched a clever scheme for
their attack on the legislative apportion-
ment act, by which they expect to embar-
rass and harrass the Republicans. and hope
TO bring about a state OF affairs whereby
the Republicans cannot control the next
General Assembly. even If a majority of the
members elected are Republicans.
The Fieming-Taggart feud came to the
surface during the morning session OF the
State committee. After disposing Of some
little business a resolution was offered in
dorsing Thomas Taggart as candidate for
/ the craftsmanship OF the Democratic
tional committee. 1t was expected that the
resolution would go through with a whoop
and a hurrah. Several speeches were made.
in which bouquets were showered on the
devoted head OF the willy Indianapolis boss,
and not word of dissent was heard.
Then the resolution was put to vote.
and to the amazement Of every other men,
her present, Committeeman Fleming. of
Fort Wayne. fatly declined to vote for the
| resolution. Under pressure Fleming yielded
point and did not go on record against the
resolution, but asked that he be permitted
| TO reserve his vote, stating that he did not
| wish TO put himself In an embarrassing p0-
sition.
The aIacrity with which his request was
| granted indicated an Overwhelming desfre
| on the part Of the other members to avoid
| the appearance of dissension I'm the ranks.
| ii Is against precedent in all such bodies
| for a member to refuse TO vote either In
affirmative a o.
sition which comes before the organization,
but precedent was waived by the Demo-
| cratic state committee on this occasion
HATCHET NOT BURIED.
The attitude of the Fort Wayne man in
dicates that the scars left by his defeat for
the state craftsmanship two years ago have
not healed, and that another bitter fight
may be precipitated at the reorganization OF
the committee next month. Two years ago
Fleming was a candidate for state chair
man, and was backed by the 'Big Four"
consisting OF the late s. Z. Morss. of this
city, James Murdock, OF Lafayette, Hugh
| Dougherty, of Button, and Maj. q. v.
| Menzies, of Mt Vernon. A strong effort
was made to get the support OF Taggart
but he was for Joseph t. Tanning. OF In-
dianapolis, and in the end succeeded in de-
feating Fleming. although he found IL nee
essary to bring out w. II. O'Brien, q
Lawrenceburg. compromise Candidate
| TO do so.
Fleming, IL seems, cannot forget the blow
Taggart gave him that occasion. He is
! known among politicians as good hater,'
as well as a strong friend. and IL Is evident
that he Is carrying a long, sharp knife for
| the Indianapolis boss.
II is understood that Fleming's pro-
gramme is to get himself elected one or
the Indiana delegates TO the Democratic
national convention and In that position
work to defeat Taggart for reelection as
national committeeman from. Indiana II
he. can do that Taggart's chances for the
raaf 81 hal m w 1r1a
| for he cannot hope for such preferment un-
less he has the unanimous and unqualified
| Endorsement of his State.
Fleming dropped a. hint OF his plan last
! evening when he explained his action In
refusing to vote for the resolution indorsing
| Taggart. 81 took that position simply be-
cause / did not want TO be tied up on any
proposition" he said. II may be a delegate
to the national convention and want my
Taggart declined to discuss the attitude Of
| Fleming further than 10 say that he did
| not take il as an attack on himself. His
! friends, however. were not little worried
/ over the affair. Every effort was made TO
keep the matter secret, but IL was so sem
satonal that IL leaked out quickly.
/ ATTACK ON APPORTIONMENT.
The scheme for the attack on the legisla-
tive apportionment act is this. Suits will
be brought attacking the act in a number
of legislative districts. which all together
would elect mt least thirty-one Republican
/
lieved that the cases can be pushed through
the lower courts, appealed and decision
reached by the Supreme Court before the
election next November and pending final
decision, III the Republicans proceed under
the apportionment the Democrats will bring
suits enjoining the election OF sufhcient
number OF Republican candidates 10 insure
them control of the Legislature pending
decision of all the litigation
Figuring on the vote cast In 1907 the he-
publicans should elect lo5 or the members
A lu nd
new apportionment. and on this basis IL
would be necessary for the Democrats 10
make a gain of thirty-one members TO gain
control They hope to do this by electing
some of their candidates IN districts nor.
mally Republican and by enjoning the eiec-
tion of a number OF Republican candidates.
fight on the apportionment act in the hands
of a committee composed OF Chairman
OBrien J. G.. McNutt, OF Terre Hautes
Dan w. Slnms, OF Lafayette: Lincoln
Dixon. of North Vernon. and F. Fred
France, OF Huntington This committee
decided TO place the matter I'm the hands OF
the following attorneys: Former attorney
General A c. Smith, John w. Kern. Michael
Ton OF Lebanon. and Maj G.. V. Menzies. OF
Mt Vernon. These attorneys viii decide
when and in what circuits TO institute the
nroceeGings MIR. Smith said last evening
that the attorneys would hold a consulta-
ton within few days and make their
plans and that Sne sIss ahs oups,de DC
II Is understood that the Democrats have
res,lrrected two of the complaints filed by
the Republicans in attacking the Demo-
cratic apportionment In 1892 and viii make
their complaints for the most part dupli-
1 Gates OF them a.,
THE state committee voted that the dis
,-ict conventions for the election OF menu
| hers of the State committee shall be held
nee a I'm all the districts except the Sec
and seventh Ninth. Tenth and Twelfth.
and that the district chairmen should set
the time for the conventions In these ave.
AZ finally agreed upon the calls for the
conventions VIII be Issued as follows:
Eirst-Dec. 81 at Mt Vernon; Second.
Ian ( at Vincennes: Third. Dec. 81 at New
Albany: Fourth. Dec 81 at North vernons
Fifth, Dec 81 at Terre Haule; Sixth. Dec
q AT Rushville: Seventh. onSr before jan
at indianapolis; Eighth. Dec 81 at De-
catur. Ninth Jan. at Crawfordsvilles
Tenth. Jan. Z az Lafayette: Eleventh. Dec.
n at Peru; Twelfth. Jan. at Columbia
S,itv: Thirteenth. Dec 81 at Plymouth
The following members Of the State com
mittee were present at uce meeting. Sec
ond G. IL Hendren, OF bloomfield. Fourth.
, Lincoln Dixon. OF North Vernon; Fifth.
} Il q McNutt OF Terre Haute: Sixth. J..
: ID MCGEE OF Rushville; Seventh. Joseph