The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-29
TAGGART FORCES PUT
KEACH AND HIS GANG
TO ROUT 1T PRIMARIES

CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGEl
bailiwick. The Reach forces set up a pro-
test two or three days ago that they were
being denied representation on the primary
boards and ii was on this ground that
Polster decided to stop the primary in his
ward When the voting place at 2l5 West
New York street was opened Polster was
on hands with his gang, his chief support
ers being Bert Perrott Bertillion clerk in
the police department.; Barney Conroy,
foreman of one of the sewer gangs in the
Barrett law clerk in the city controllers
office; Charles Maurice, license inspector,
and two men named Mcclure and McClel-
Ian, both of whom are said TO be on the
city pay rolls.
Polster demanded that before the polls be
opened he be permitted to stand inside the
voting place to watch the depositing of the
tickets In the ballot box. He was informed
that the law did not provide for watchers
during the voting, but that he could have
watcher, or half dozen watchers, if he
wanted them, when the votes were counted.
That did not satisfy him and he declared
that there should be no voting until his de-
mands were acceded to, and with his crowd
took possession of the sidewalk and street
in front of the window through which the
voters were to deposit their tickets in the
ballot box, which had been placed just in
side the window.
ALMOST A RIOT.
Mr.. Taggart was there and he attempted
to reason with Polster and to dissuade him
from his determination to prevent the vot-
ing, but without success. He only brought
forth a description of himself in Polsters
choicest vocabulary. Each of the three
election officers deposited a ticket in the
ballot box and one other vote was got in
before Polster succeeded in completely
blocking the window. All four votes were
for Tanning delegates and were so re-
corded and reported to the county commit
tee as the official returns from the ward.
The brawl created a sensation in that
section OF the city and a crowd of from
800 to 400 men was around the voting place
at one time, all of them ardent partisans
of Taggart or of Reach, and all ready for
a ough-and-tumble fight at a signal from
the leaders. At one time Ed Moore, an en-
ing place and insisted that he be permitted
to vote. He attempted TO force his way to
the window, but was promptly knocked
down by one of the Polster gang.
The situation became so threatening that
a call for police protection was sent in and
a number of patrolmen with two or three
bicyclemen and a sergeant in charge were
dispatched from headquarters 10 the scene
of hostilities. The officers remained there
until the polls were finally declared off,
cially closed, and their presence and the
conciliatory counsels of Taggart and his
friends were all that averted a serious
clash.
Mayor Hoffman appeared on the scene
shortly before o'clock, but was unable to
get within twenty-five feet of the voting
place, and after standing around for a few
minutes with a PARKWAY "where-is-my-
Observation-Disclosures" expression on his
face, the mayor wendell his way back to
the Claypool Hotel.
HOLTZMAN LOST VOTE.
In the Seventh ward. where trouble had
been anticipated. the Reach forces were
not strong enough to make any sort Of
showing against the strength mustered by
lf
who had charge of the ward for the Tag
CART people. Kissel mustered a total of
30S votes to IS for Names.
A fight took place In the Fifth ward that
resulted In several knock-downs. Mike"
Laughlin, an ardent flaming supporter.
displayed with pride last night a burnp the
size of egg on the side of his head-a
pleasant souvenir of the affair. In the
Ninth and Twelfth wards there was also
some little trouble but nothing OF a serious
nature.
Joseph I. Tanning. who will be reelected
district chairman to-day is naturally much
elated at his victory.
"Of course, / am greatly gratified at the
substantial Endorsement given me by the
Democrats of the district" he said last
night. Il felt confident of success, and the
result shows that my confidence was not
misplaced. Aside from that L have nothing
TO say"
When Thomas Taggart was approached
with a question as TO what he thought OF
the result he said that he hadn't a word
won't rub off, adorned his features contin-
uously during the four five hours he
spent at the county headquarters In the
Thorpe block. That and the handclasps and
words of thanks he gave each one of his
friends who put in an appearance were
clearly indicative Of his feelings
James Leroy Reach could not be located
last night. but it is understood that he Is
still in the city.