The sun., 1904-07-31

In hand and thanked Tagsa art for tho inter-
est be took In his snairs and seemed voTJ
much pleased at tho distinction shown
him.
A stranger who Witnessed the scene
made inquiries and found that the negro
had been out of tho city but one day, though
one might have supposed that he had been
absent a month from the congratulations
offered on his return by the hotel pro-
prietor.
Two years ago some indisoreet remarks
made by the late Frank Burke at an In
dianapolis dinner raised tempest Of wrath
against the Democratic party among tho
negroes Of the city. Burke. In his bitter
way, had sneered at the Democratic for
STOPPING to barter for negro votes, and
had declared that hereafter the Demo-
cratic party in the city and State would
get along without negroes.
Taggart's resources were such that he
not only stilled the tempest that had been
raised but succeeded in getting moro ne
groes than ever to vote the Democratic
ticket in the last Mayoralty election In
Indianapolis. The result was that Mayor
Bookwalter was defeated when his cleo
ton looked to be as certain as death or
taxes.
THE SMILE AND THE LID.
It was said Of Taggart in connection
with this that his policy toward gambling,
and particularly toward the policy game,
which is almost altogether q negro game
Of chance in Indianapolis, was the cause
Of his success in the black yards. During
his administration as Mayor policy tickets
were sold openly and wheels ran in about
every colored saloon or barber shop In
the city.
As for other forms Of gambling and the
enforcement OF the liquor laws, Indianapolis
was a pretty wide open town during the
Taggart administ rations. And yet, curious
enough, he was never attacked 80 bitterly
by the press or the pulpit on this point an
his successor. the Republican Mayor, Book
walter He knew precisely how to exert
that smile when a storm was brewing.
There is one colored man at the Grand
Hotel who sometimes defes Taggart and
has been discharged time and again. but
refuses to stay discharged. Taggart will
order him to leave and Charley will 60
away, but In two hours will be back at his
old post, and he always shows up to get his
weeks wages.
SHATley dsAcd AdSBaIt W Iot uAAu w W
St. Louis to the Democratic convention.
The request was refused. When Taggart
got OF the train at st. Louis, Charley came
from the smoker with broad grin on his
face.
Il thought I told you not to como here
said Taggart.
'Yes, sir, yer did, but were afeer you's
git sick an come anyhow said Charley.
Sure enough. Taggart was taken Ill be-
cause OF the great strain he was under,
and Charley sat up two or three nights
with him.
Il don't see what would have done
without you,' said Taggart In . moment
Of contrition for the way he had addressed
him at the train.
GOOD POLITICAL ouEssEB. TOO.
Taggart gave q demonstration OF his
knowledge OF results in 1899 that surprised
the politicians. All the early reports were
favorable to the Republicans, and at mid
night Matthews, the Democratic candidate
for Governor. went home believing he was
beaten. Illinois, Wisconsin. New York
and other States had gone Democratic
and the men at tho State headquarters
were guying Taggart numerically over
the loss Of Indiana when Republican States
had given their votes for Cleveland.
Taggart took his campaign book out Of
his pocket. referred to certain counties
and then declared that all reports received
were erroneous and that the State was
Democratic. He called OF a dozen or
fifteen counties, giving the Democratic and
the Republican vote, and then called of
majorities for the Democrats 10 other
counties, while the crowd jeered and
laughed.
Twenty kilograms were sent out at once
to as many Democratic chairmen, and In
an hour the returns began to come in
By o'clock the figures that Taggart had
called of from his private book were con-
frmed by reports from the chairmen and
Indiana had given a majority for the State
and national tickets.
1t is unquestionably true that Mr.. Tag
gart is in part newspaper made man.
That is to say his treatment Of reporters,
his unfailing good nature, his man -to-man
confidence in them and his willingness to
tell them bit of news whenever 1t was at
all possible made them disposed always
to boom and never to find fault. The con-
sequence was that the Republican papers
in indianapolis and out In the State, even In
the hottest kind Of campaign, were 40
customed to treat Taggart with great friend
liness while lambasting his political asso-
ciates as hard as they knew how.
DON'T woRRY-woRKl" HIS MOTTO.
Luck, pure and simple, has played great
part in the success of the new national
chairman, it would seem. Not only have
all mis- political ventures been sucoe ssful,
with few exceptions, but in business he has
had the Midas touch He is estimated to
be worth from 81 800 900 to q 900 900. Tho
Grand Hotel in indianapolis, the French
Lick Springs Hotel and much Indianapolis
real estate are entirely or largely owned
by him. and he has irons In a dozen different
fires.
Nobody would ever take Mr. Taggart for
anything but big. good natured. exceed
inglY clever Irishman. He is broad shoul-
dered, about S feet 0 inches tall, has blue
eyes, light hair, plenty OF blood In his face,
and reddish mustaohe. He shoots well,
Is very fond Of horses and outdoor sports.
doesn't mind taking a drink now and then,
although nobody ever saw him anything
but sober: plays a little poker with hia