The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-21
THE DRIFT OF POLITICS

Lieutenant Governor Gilbert announced
that he would not enter the race for Gov
erpOr, the Twelfth district becomes fight
ing ground for all the candidates.
IL seems that James Leroy Reach. Demo-
cratic city chairman. has read the hand
writing on the wall. and has already be-
gun to ''crawfish" on his fight for the dis
trict Craftsmanship. tSa is reported as
having said TO a few friends who could
be relied upon to circulate il to the best ad-
vantage; IT don't want 20 make a fight
for the district chairmanship, and never
have wanted fight but Chrley Polster in
sists on being a candidate and I'd be an
migrate IL didn't support him. couldn't
do anything else but be for him after all
he's done for me-"
The only. inference 10 be drawn from
this is that Chairman Reach has doscov-
cred since the meeting OF his committee
last week that he cannot hope 20 defeat
Tanning and Taggart and is seeking a
loophole or escape by placing all the
blame for the tight on Poister. After Poll
ster has been defeated. Reach will be in a
position To claim that he really did not
make a fight on Tanning and Taggart. but
that he merely gave his individual support
TO Polster, because he couldn't do anything
else under the circumstances.
In this way he hopes to escape being al
together dlScredited as boss and party
power by the defeat which he now sees is
inevitable, and ne thus finds Polster use
full, not only as a lieutenant and ward
healer, but as scapegoat
XXX
However, in the face of this Zine OF talk
which Reach is putting out there are evil
dences that he is doing everything in his
power and is forcing Mayor Hoffman TO
do everything in his power. to line up the
administration machine for Polster in an
effort TO defeat Tanning. There have been
reports that Mayor Hoffman would turn
against Reach in this fight and throw his
strength to Taggart. inasmuch as ne is a
candidate for the Democratic gubeTnatorial
nomination, and 10 attain that end an ALI
ance with Taggart would be more BILE,
he has served notice on certain of his ap-
pointees that they must be for Reach or
keach's candidate for district chairman A
well authenticated story In circulation now
is to the effect that Poister went TO a clerk
OF one Of the city boards and asked him to
get out and work for him Polster) IN the
district fight. The clerk refused. whereupon
Polster threatened him with the loss of his
job. II can have you fired In a minute I'M
less you are for me-" Polster IL reported TO
have said. The clerk still declined TO get In
line, and within few hours he was APP
preached by another clerk. who said to
him:
''The old man (the mayor says that you
must get right In this district Craftsmanship
business. You know where your bread and
butter come from, so you'd better be good"
Let me tell you right now that threats
clerk er rePlied any IGo eat ' snowSsIls Before
let anybody bluff me. I'm for Joe flaming.
and I'm not going to turn against him for
Under the circumstances IL is to be ex-
pected that the head of this clerk will be the
first to fall into the basket His services"
will be found unsatisfactory.
devil and the deep, deep sea- on the district
Craftsmanship proposition. He is under OBJ
legations TO Reach for his nomination, owes
his election to Taggart. and a guberna-
torial aspirant wants to keep on good terms
with both factions. He is enough OF a poll
tician to realize that Taggart can DO him
more good In a day as candidate for q
State nomination than Reach could in q
month, but to arouse the open antagonism
of either Taggart or Reach would be fatal
TO his ambitions. In this dilemma the
mayor is making the outward appearance
OF carrying water on both shoulders. but In
reality Reach has brought such pressure
TO bear on him that he Is putting on the
screws" for Polster. 1t has been suggested
In explanation Of what the mayor Is doing
ing with Taggart, whereby he is to let
Reach think he is for him, and Is really to
work for Reach ard his candidate. knowing
explanation is secuted by leaders OF the
Taggart faction.
Former Sheriff Bob" Emmett Is Demo-
cratic power that both Reach and flaming
have been after in the district contest. En-
NETT has been known as Reach man. and
rendered valiant service to Reach I'm his
fight for the city Craftsmanship. but IL II
understood that he has decided to throw his
influence TO flaming now. He 10 one OF the
numerous Democrats who have grievance
against Reach, charging him with breaking
faith: Emmett went into the city light, II
is said, with the assurance that he would
be made chief Of police II Hoffman were
elected. After the election he was given
a she nuai for lives IN the
Sixth ward, Posters ward, and will be
tower of strength to Tanning
= r +
One of the rules recently adopted By the
Republican State committee viii probably
have its first application in Marion county.
1t is the one providing that in case Of the
death or inability of county chairman.
or vacancy in the office OF county chair
man through any cause the district chair
man shall assume the duties OF the county
chairman OF the committee IN this county,
was recently severely injured In Chicago,
nd @ be for to the .nS p OF
able that he will be unable to look after the
committees affairs issue the call for the
county primary, etc. In that event District
Chairman Floyd A. Woods viii assume the
responsibilities for the time being.
Carter II. Harrison. mayor OF Chicago
and one of the numerous Democratic pres
idential possibilities. may be one OF the
speakers at the Bryan meeting jan In
this city. An invitation has been extended
to him to be present at the meeting and de-
liver an address.
John w. Kern, who has charge OF the arr
rangements for the AFFAIR. says there Is lit
tie doubt that Bryan will be here for the
Mr. Kern has received a letter from Bryan's
brother. stating that Bryan will land In
New York on his return from Europe Jan.
and will start at once for Evansville.
where he is billed to speak at a Jefferson
League district celebration Jan. 5.
A dispatch to the Journal from Wabash
says of Republican politics I'm that county:
Though there are few county Offices to
be filed here at the forthcoming election.
there are a number OF candidates In the
field. The county convention. as has been
the case for years, will be held early In
February, on the theory that obtains among
leading Republicans OF the county that.
with an early convention, the sore spots
caused by defeat all disappear before the
election ir the autumn. II seems 70 be con-
ceded that Warren @. Sayre. representative
in the Legislature. Will be renominated
Grower. prosecuting attorney. The death OF
Elias Scoot county trea surer-elect. makes ft