New-York tribune., 1904-08-11
T4GGARTS RECORD.
Gambling at the Hotel Of Which He
Is President.

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir I notice by the newspapers that Thomas
Taggar1, chairman of the Democratic National
Committee. denies that he is in any way in
teres1ed IN the gambling that is carried on at
the French Lick Gndana) Hotel" lie admits
that he is president Of the French Lick Hotel
Company. but tries TO escape all responsibility
for the gambling that is carried on openly at
that hotel by stating that the gambling prsvi-
lege is leased TO other parties Every well
informed man with sporting proclivites in the
United States knows that gambling is as public
at the French Lick Springs Hotel as it was in
Saratoga during the palmy DAYS of John Nor
rissey. or at Monte Carlo. It has become the
favorite resort OF gentlemen" as we'll as pro-
fessional gamblers from all parts of the United
States. and the gambling privilege is its most
valuable asset, from which il derives its great
est profit. and as Mr. Taggart was the promoter,
is large stockholder and is the president OF the
company. and like Boss Croker is noted for
his sagaeity in looking out for his own pocket,
II is reasonable 70 suppose that he draws his
dividends regularly
Nj Taggart served three terms as Mayor OF
Indianapolis and was the favorite candidate
Of Jhs Gamblers. saloonksepers and such Re
publicans IS favored a wide omen policy. inClud-
ing The purchasabIe element among the negro
population Under his administration the laws
We're constantly and openly violated by the gam
hlers as well as the saloonkeepers. and II IS
matter Of record that the Grand Hotel Com
pany, Of which he was president at the time,
was fined in the police court for selling liquor
on sunday These facts VIII nor be denied by
any respectable citizen OF indianapolis.
notice that Mr.. Taggart says: THE way
70 carry elections is n carry them" He is a
ward politician pure and simple. with no ex-
in hn
except as q member of thu national committee
for one campaign from Indiana. He is the rep
resentative Of the most INSCRIPTIONS bosses.
and cGn be relied upon 10 carry out the sug-
gesrions of the Taumary crowd, for whom he
has the greatest admiration. He IS in politics
for what there is in it for T, T. and his fs
lowers openly advocated his election as chair
man n the Democratic National Committee on
the ground that he would see 70 it that Indiana
would he furnished with plenty of money TO
carry ,buy) the election. This belief was large
iy the reason for the enthusiastic reception given
70 him his return 70 his home after having
been elected chairman Of the Democratic Ma
tionaI Committee.
There IS an inrination that the managers ot
Judge Parker have become aware Of Taggarts
political methods and have determined 10 side
track him and 10 permit him 20 manage the
States Of Indiana Illinois and Wisconsin. with
real management viii be retained in the hands
Of Judge Parker's personal and trusted friends
in New-York. with a secret agent Of the exec
utive committee TO handle and supervise dis
bUrsements personally. as was done by Nj Til
den in Indiana and perhaps in other States.
during the memorable campaign OF 1876. Mr..
Tilden declared that Indiana had become a 20
utical rat hole, and had been used as a means
for placing funds contributed for political pu--
poses in the pockets OF politicians to be used
for their own purposes, and he did not intend
70 have the funds contributed for legitimate
purposes used II that way" He sent a per
sonaI friend 70 Indianapolis with hts barrel.
whose presence was not known 70 a dozen Dem
ocrats in the State during or since the cam
palgn. He was secluded IN a private room. and
controlled and disbursed the funds without the
Knowledge Of the State committee; hence the
proba bility is that both Mr.. Taggart and his as
sistants viii get beautifully leIt
Il IS matter Of political history that William
H English who was a candidate for Vice -Presi-
dent in 1880 on the ticket with General Han
cock at the head. agreed when nominated 10
take care OF Indiana personally dishursed the
funds and absolutely refused 70 permit the com
mittee 70 authorize the expenditure Of a dollar
recall that this caused him many enemies
among his own political friends and that he de-
feated the appointment Of prominent member
Of his own party by informing President Cleve-
land Of the demands made him by the
aspirant during the campaign in which he
4 candidate
! notice that Mr.. Taggart has expressed
preference for locating the Western branch Of
the Democratic National Committee in Indiauap-
. oils. where he owns hotel instead OF Chicago
and he Is always looking out for Taggart in
politics as well other things, I surprised
that he did not propose 70 locate the headquar-
ters at the French Lick Hotel, where he and his
associates would be more likely TO secure a
4 larger share OF the rake OF Of the greater pOr-
zion Of the money dIsbursed by the chairman
not TO mention the profits OF the bar.
I am reminded that the Indiana Democratic
+ State convention of 1860 nominated Ashbel ?
Willard for Governor and John Q Walker for
4 Lieutenant Governor. when a Democratic editor
. expressed dissatisfaction with the nomination
OF Willard and declared he would gamble the
state away. IN the course Of few days fl was
ascertained that Walker was ineligible By reason
OF being under the age required by the Coustitu-
ton, when 4. A Hammond was substituted, and
the editor who had objected 10 Willard an
nounced that the objection TO Willard had been
removed ny the nomination Of Hammond be-
cause II Willard gambled the State away Ham
mond would win II back EK-HOOSIER
August :. 1894