Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-07-30
TAGGART ELECTED
NATIONAL CHAIRMAN
Indiana Democrat Chosen Despite
Strong Opposition.
WILL APPOINT COMMITTEES

Ne" iofh, July "a. - Expectations
were fulfilled when Thomas Taggart
OF Indiana, was elected chairman of
the Democratic National committees
Endorsed by nearly every member of
the committee the day after the con-
vention adjourned at ST. Louis. it has
been known ever since that only the
decree of Judge Parker in favor of
some other man or the consent of Sen
ator German to accept the place could
prevent the selection of Taggart. Mel
ther OF these contingencies arose. and
the Indiana man was unanimously
chosen to a place for which he long
has had aspirations.
Although the vote was unanimous.
IL was not until after IL was actually
In progress that opposition to Mr.. Tag
CARTS selection was withdrawn. Be-
ginning with the return of Senator
German. former Senator Hill, former
Senator Jones and other Democratic
leaders from Esopus and lasting I'D to
the moment when the committee was
called to order. the strongest possible
effort was made to bring Senator Cor
man into the field or to arrange a
combination that would place some
one besides Taggart at the head of
the committee. Almost continuous con-
ferences were held, intimations Of great
financial advantages to the party were
made, and many expedients were sug-
gested, even to delaying the election
until after the committee visited
Judge Parker today, in order to defeat
Taggart. But nothing would change
the determination of his friends to
force an election and to compel a show
of strength. Failing to secure the ne
cessary conditions to defeat Taggart.
the opposition yielded and the proceed
ings of the committee were brief and
harmonious.
Urey Woodson, of Kentucky, was
elected secretary of the committee.
Edwin Seton, of the District of Co.
lumbia, was made assistant secretary.
John l. Martin, of Missouri, was
elected ergeant-at-arms, and Samuel
Donelson. OF Tennessee, assistant SER
geant-at-arms.
The most important action of the
committee, aside from the selection of
chairman, was that of arranging for
a committee or committees to manage
the campaign. A proposition submit
ted by William F. Sheehan, slightly
modified upon the suggestion Of Sena-
tor Bailey, was adopted. AS agreed to,
1t Is as follows:
THAT the chair be authorized to ap-
point two vice chairmen. as his judg-
ment may determine; that the chair
be authorized to appoint an executive
committee of not less than five. nor
more than seven members; that the
chair be authorized to appoint n
finance committee of not less than
three, nor more than five members.
and IL in the judgment of the chair
these two committees should be ANAL
gamated into an executive committee.
then the executive committee shall be
composed of seven members; that if at
any time the eXigencies of the cam
paign should. in the Judgment OF the
executive committee and the chairman
of the national committee, require it,
or If it becomes advisable to increase
the number. that they may select ad-
ditional members, not more than one
from any one state as members OF said
executive committee; that in conform
ity with a resolution adopted by the
last Democratic national convention
the members of the said executive and
finance committees may be selected
from the outside membership of the
national committee"
The plans of Chairman Taggart for
the next few days include the trip to
Esopus today. returning to New York
this evening. He expects TO spend to-
morrow in this city, consulting with a
number of prominent Democrats re-
garding the composition of the commit
tees he is authorized to appoint. To-
morrow evening or Friday he will leave
for Indiana, but will return almost i'm
mediately, announce the committees,
establish headquarters and enter upon