The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-05-24
INDIA IS ICAIN


altogether out of the question, and L
do not believe that his name will even
so before the convention. I believe
that this talk about him comes from
admirers who think that because he
was twice elected he is the only man
who can lead his party to victory, and
not from men of political experience
who can see his weakness as candi-
date as we'll as his strength with a
certain element.
When asked if he believed that
Judge Parker could carry Indiana,
Mr. Taggart said: l certainly be-
lieve that he can and will carry In
diana This is normally Democrat
ic State. The Republican majorities
in recent years are fictitious major
tiles. caused by the unusual condi-
lions in 1896 and 1900 when the gold
disintegrated the Democracy. The
party is together again now. and the
fight this fall will be fought on the
old lines
John W. Kern, strong Bryan man
and the candidate for Governor in
1900. and who was with Mr.. Taggart
in the fight for Parker this year, be-
ing chairman of the State convention,
expressed his belief that the Indiana
Democracy is practically reunited. He
regards Judge Parker as a strong can
didate. although not going so far as
to hold that he is the strongest that
could be put forward in the State.
Indiana Dtmocrats." ne said. are
F,-;- lie of Pr-N-n ri
are opposed to Grover Cleveland. One
of the things which gave Mr.. Hearst
some strength he might not otherwise
have had in the late contest was the
fact that Mr.. Cleveland had Endorsed
Judge Parker. I cannot help thinking
that that Endorsement was made ma
liciously. But Judge Parker is a most
excellent man. with clean party rec
ord. as was clearly shown in 1897,
when the New York Democratic State
COMMITTEES, controlled absolutely by
Mr. Bryan's friends. unanimously
named him as the party's candidate
for chief Judge of the Court of Appeals.
That was done within less than year
after the Presidential election of 1896,
and it would not have been done had
not Judge Parker Stood ny .lhe IleheI
the previous year.
Democrats Restoring Harmony.
The above views as to party harmo-
ny i'll Indiana this year are substaH-
TALLY those of other prominent Demo-
Gratis whose opinions were had, and,
to a certain extent are admitted by
the Republicans. The latter say that
the Democrats have got together in
much better shape than at any other
time since the split over free silver
eight years ago. That all the Demo
Gratis who left the party then are now
back in the ranks, or VIII be 1ounG
there at the election, they positively
deny Dissatisfaction with the Dem
ocratic party began, they maintain. be-
fore 1896, and on other issues than
the money question. They point out
that in 1894, two years before Bryan
ism and free silver took possession OIL
the Democracy, the Republicans car
ried the State by nearly $4,000. Inns
was not done by a Democratic "fuke"
either. for the total vote was greater
at the Presidential election TWO years
before. when Cleveland carried the
STATE DN i.ln-I- lS IiSP"'|i'
increased about 2S,00o, while that OF
the Democrats fell of about 2i,o0V
II was Il change OF front by the Dem
ocrats On the tariff issue
IN 1886 Mckinley beat Bryan by IT,
ISL. and in 1898 the Republican cand:-
date for Secretary OF Stale had pli-
rality of ISIS IN 1890 Mckinley IL
creased MS plurality oYer Bryan t2'
2G.4.o, and in 1902 The Republican
plurality for Secretary OF State was
s5,554 All this goes 10 show that
very large proportion of the Demo.
Gratis who have left the party since
1898 have left 1t for good, and have
no idea of going back tott again. The
opening up. celebrated gas
belt" IL Indiana brought thousands
of new voters into the State. OF whoa
a large majority were Republicans
when they cane. and are SO still. The
in crease in manufacturing, and tie
greater development OF the coal min,
ing industry, had the sane effect on
the Republican vote, and, therefore
they hold that Indiana, always close,
is now a safely Republican State, and
that not merely by grace OF gold