The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-10
STATE PRECEDENT MADE
Action Intended to Influence In
diana Is First of Kind in Ma
tional Campaign.
FEW IN ON THE SECRET
Move Which Emphasizes Taggart
Victory Is Regarded as Chal-
lenge TO Outsiders.

July in St Louis, were selected last night
by the Seventh district delegates to the
state convention. They were instructed to
work and vote for the nomination of Judge
Alton r. Parker. of New York for Presi-
dent. They the first delegates selected
in the United States that have been in
structed for Parker
They were also instructed TO vote for the
reelection of Thomas Taggart as member
of the Democratic national committee from
Indiana.
The delegates selected were Joseph f.
Bell and former County Chairman w. W.
Spencer.
The alternates were James NJ. Healy and
James E Berry
Judge Theodore p. Davis was named as
Democratic presidential elector for the dis
trict. The delegates also selected their rep
resentatives on the permanent organization
of the state convention. which will be held
May i. follows:
Vice chairman-Henry Friedman
Assistant secretary-John III. Kingsbury.
Assistant sergeant-at-arms-M Michael ].
Noone
On permanent organization-Joseph T.
Tanning.
On resolutions-Alonzo Greene Smith
Judge Charles L. Cox
The resolutions indorsing Judge Parker
and instructing the delegates TO vote for
him follows:
Resolved, That the Democracy Of the
Seventh congressional district of the state
of Indiana regards Judge Alton b. Parker,
of New York. as the most available man
to be nominated by the Democratic party
for President of the United States. and that
his nomination would commend the en-
thusiastic support of all Democrats and
OF the independent voters of the country;
therefore. be it further
Resolved. That the delegates elected TO
the Democratic national convention from
this congressional district be- and they
hereby. instructed to work for and
for the nomination az Judge Alton b.
Parker for President of the United States"
Mr.. Taggart was indorsed in the follow
ing resolution:
Whereas. the Hon. Thomas Taggart has
by his successful management OF past cam
paigns of the Democratic party in city,
county and state elections demonstrated
his great ability as political organizer and
leader: and.
Whereas, a member of the national
Democratic committee he has so ably rep
resented the State of Indiana as to make
himself one of the recognized leaders OF the
Democratic party in the Nation: and.
Whereas, his valuable services will be
demanded in the coming national campaign;
Therefore. Be it Resolved. That we
hereby instruct the delegates from the Sew
enth congressional district to vote for the
Hon. Thomas Taggart TOR member of the
rational Democratic committee from the
State of Indiana
The meeting OF the Seventh district dele
gates TO the Democratic s<ate convention
who were elected at the primaries Friday
night. within twenty-fonr hours after their
election. was one OF the boleest and
shrewdest movss i'm the peculiar game of
politics of which Mr. Taggart is a past
master That the meeting WAS TO be held
was known only To- the delegates officers OF
the county committee and a few OF Mr.
Taggart's close associates and advisers.
The Hearst people knew absolutely moth
ing of it and the announcement that tho
delegates had met and selected delegates to
the national convention. instructing them
for Parker. came as a bombsbel iaso the
Hearst camp last night
HENDERSON IS SURPRISED
j. Oscar Henderson. Hsarsts manager
for Indiana, received his first Information
Of the coup Of the Taggart forces from the
Journal last night. He made no attempt
to conceal his surprise. He inquired who
the delegates were and when informed
made the :erse comment. They're both
good men,"
Speaking of the unexpected move of the
opposition Mr.. Henderson said:
They must have been afraid the dele
they were theirs, aad | guess they were
entitled 10 them if they could carry the
county they I'D thought il was not a
part of their programme to instruct their
delegates. but il seems they have changed
their minds.
I'VE 6ii not expect TO get the delegates
from this district added Mr. Henderson
We recognized the fact that this district
was theirs but We put up fight because
that Is part OF our policy They'll find.
however tnat the result Will be different in
other districts OF the State
When Mr. Taggart was asked why tho
caucus of the delegates from this district
was held at this time. instead of on the eve
of the state convention, as has been the
rule in Indiana Democratic politics. he
merely smiled and said:
This Is n year 10 make new rules and
new precedents- We have had new methods
introduced by the managers OF Mr..
Hearsts campaign, and when old dogs start
to learn new tricks they learn them
rapidly
The delegates from this district were
elected In square 0ut-and-out night as
Parker delegates. and ii but natural
that they should instruct their delegates I'd
the national convention TO vote for
Parker"
The caucus OF the delegates was held in
the rooms occupied by the Marion County
Democratic Club-the old Cleveland Club
West Washington street All but five
six of the lis delegates elected at FRI
days primaries were present when the roll
called.
Mr. Taggart. representing District Chair
man Joseph I. Tanning, who Is out or the
city. called the caucus 10 order and l.. L.
Harlan made chairman Mr. Harlan.
who is said 10 be the choice OF the Tag
/ gart machine for the Democratic nomina-
| tion for Congress from this district. made
a brief speech assuming control The
programme which had been prepared by
! the organization went through without a
/ hitch Every action was taken by accla-
nation. without roll call.
When the business had been disposed OF
/ there was Al call for speech from John ".
Kern one OF the delegates from the Third
/ ward Kern responded with of his