Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-26

| waiting his political fortunes. The best
ONCE in Indiana At that time was the au-
ditorShtp of Marion county, In when In
dianopolis was situated The fees OF the
place amounted to about $4,000 a year.
He ran for country auditor and was elect
| ed by a majority Of $50. Then In 1883 ne
was elected county chairman in the Harri-
son-C1eyeland campaign.
Up to that time Marion county had never
gone for q democratic candidate for the
presidency. but this year. and. in spite OF
the fact that 1t was Harrison's home, MI.
Taggart carried 1t for Cleveland, although
the state went to the republicans. This and
other evidences of force soon pushed Mr.
Taggart to popularity and IN 1880 ne was
renominated by reclamation for county au-
ditor.
Became Mayor of indianapolis
Before this term expired he was NOM
| mated in 1895 for mayor of Indianapolis.
Two years before Denny. republican. had
been elected to this Office by a majority or
$500. This time Taggart won with a ma
yority of $500. When the national night OF
1896 came on Indianapolis gave Mckinley
5000 majority. In 1897 Taggart was re-
elected mayor by a majority of 4.7O0, which
Included many republican votes
In 1899 Taggart was elected mayor TOT
the third time. but not without the hardest
fight of his life. and the following year ne
declined to again be q candidate ana re-
tired to look after his hotels and other
business interests. although he still kept In
touch with politics and political conditions.
AS an evidence of his hold on the people
of his state it should be said that when he
was reelected this year as member OF the
democratic national committee, to which ne
was first sent in 1860. ne was Endorsed for
the national craftsmanship by 15tI Dele
gates in state convention.
Mr.. Taggart has no unique methods OF
political management. THE whole thing 10
organization" he said. Politics Is mat
ter of business. not a haphazard game and
hos To ho lad m In a
way"
Breezy and Unconventional.
Personally Taggart is breezy, unconven-
tional, and welcomes everybody with
smile that has become celebrated in In
diana and will be celebrated throughout
the country before the end of the cam
paign.
His largest business enterprise now Is the
French Lick Springs Hotel. Of which he is
money. He is married and has several
children. His eldest daughter. Florence
Taggart, was drowned off New Orleans IN
1899, when the naphtha launch Paul Jones
exploded and sank.
Taggart is modest about his qualifications
for the national craftsmanship. He claims
nothing except that he knows the game or
politics thoroughly has played 1t success
fully in that difficult state, Indiana, for
long time, has an adequate knowledge of
affairs in other states. acquired during his
service on the democratic national COM
mittee and on the executive committee OF
that organization during the two Bryan
campaigns He wants to try his hand and
there seems to be a disposition to let him
do it. His friends say he has proved his
capacity to handle large affairs in his bust
ness success in Indianapolis and in his con-
duct of the affairs Of the city when he was
mayor.
He has been described to Judge Parker as
a man thoroughly up-to-date in his political
methods, Of enormous energy and OF great
courage. His own philosophy is embodied
In the sentiment. which he frequently
quotes: Never worry about what happens
unless 1t happens to you:" and in another
phrase. which is. You can't win unless you
have the votes-so get the votes"