The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-21
THE DRIFT OF POLITICS

The renewal Of the Cleveland boom is
proving a source of some little concern TO
the Parker leaders of Indiana Democracy,
although they profess that IL is not to be
taken seriously. They do rot like TO hear
the Cleveland talk. for they are anxious
that the impression should prevail that the
great mass of the Democratic party is now
united on Parker and they realize that if
1t is necessary for them TO fight down the
Cleveland talk again their candidate will
be materially weakened. Consequently they
do not let any opportunities pass 10 take
a rap at the devoted head of the former
President. They do not attack Cleveland
personally. but as a presidential aspirant
he is made a shining mark.
National Committeeman Taggart. when
asked yesterday what he thought of the
Cleveland talk. replied promptly that Cleve-
land is absolutely out of the question.
cleveland does not stand the slightest
chance Of being the nominee of the ST.
Louis convention" he said. He is alto
gether OUT of the question, and do not
believe his name will ever go before the
convention. l don't think he is to be re-
garded as a candidate and ! believe this
talk comes from admirers of his who think
that because he was twice elected Presi-
dent he is the only man in the country
who can lead the party 10 victory, and
not from men of political experience who
can see his weakness as d candidate as
well as his strength with certain ele-
ment. For instance, l met a New York
man to-day who put his hand on my Shout
der and said:
TON. Clevelands the man for US to
nominate this year.
Why? l asked him.
" Because he can carry New York-he d
- I don't doubt that he could carry New
York, | answered. but carrying New York
wouldn't elect him by a long shot. He'd
have to get the electoral votes of several
other States, and he'd be showed under in
two or three of the States he'd have to
carry IN order to be elected"
mo, there's nothing in this Cleveland
talk" continued Mr.. Taggart. 1T comes
for the most part from Democrats who
were off in So and 1900 who want Vindica-
ton. They want to see Cleveland nomi-
mated because they think that would JUS
tify their course in the last two campaigns.
They are like Sim Coy when he ran for
councilman after he came back from the
penitentiary. Sim saiG he didn't give a
d-n to be councilman-all he wanted was
'vindification.'
That's the way it is with these Cleve-
land people-all they want is vindifica-
tion.
Henry Hall, the Washington correspond
ent of the Pittsburg Times. who is in this
city to get "a line on Indiana politics, says
that he heard little or no Cleveland talk
| while he was in New York week ago.
II can't believe there really is a Cleve-
land BOOM" said Mr. Hall last evening
| while L was in New York L talked with
a number of prominent Democrats and
| ClevelandS name was not mentioned in
| connection with the nomination at St
Louis. The leaders there seem satisfied that
| Parker is to be the nominee. They are look
| ing to the South now and If two or three
| of the Southern States come out strong
| for Parker they feel that will settle it.
Il am inclined to the same opinion. L
| think great deal depends on what Georgia
| does. 1 believe the Democrats in Georgia
| will hold their convention about the 1st OF
June, and if they instruct for Parker. or in
dorse him, 1t looks as if his nomination
| would be assured.
Former State Senator Royal E. Purcell. a
well-known Democrat of Vincennes, who
was at the Grand last evening, agrees with
Mr.. Taggart that Cleveland is not to be con-
sidered as a Democratic presidential posi-
bility.
| mo one questions Mr.. Cleveland's
strength with a certain element OF the
party, and 1 believe he would draw many
Republican votes, but there is no gansay-
| ing his weakness with a very large part
| of the Democratic party" said Mr. Purcell
I'm considering him as a candidate we have
to figure on the Democratic votes he would
| lose. as we'll as the Republican votes he
would gain, and believe he would lose
several times as many votes in his own
party as he would gain from the Repub-
! lican party. Mr.. Bryan would oppose him
even more bitterly than he would oppose
Parker. and there's no getting around the
1 fact that Mr.. Bryan has great influence. "
Mr.. Purcell was an interested spectator
at the recent Democratic state convention,
| which he characteriZes as one of the liveli-
| est affairs he ever witnessed.
Considering the nature of the fight, ii
is surprising that the action of the con-
| vention did not engender more bitterness
| than it did" he said. II don't believe
there will be any serious results to the
| party, although / suppose there are a few
men who are pretty sore. / know one
| thing-some of the Second district Demo-