New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-09-17
MINE HOST TOM" TAGGART
HIS Political Rise and Fall in
INDIANAPOLIS.

indianapolis. Sept. IS (SpeciaO.-The Indiana
Democrats who have profted by the triumphs OF
the Taggart machine IN politics and who expect to
De provided for If Judge Parker is elected 70 the
presidency are taking a great deal more interest
| IN the campaign than that conservative element
which turned against him in the preliminary city
campaign one year ago. when John W. Kern. now
the party candidate for Governor, was defeated by
James L. Reach for the Craftsmanship OF the city
committee. Local Democrats thought they saw
Taggart's finish in that defeat but though broken
IN this city, where the machine had been long
dominant. he had a STR lger hold upon the State
Democracy than supposed and the weakness OF
William R. Hearst gave the opportunity for control
OF the State convention and the Endorsement OF
Parker made the subsequent step to the national
Craftsmanship easy.
Tsggart entered politics in this CITY in 1855 as
candidate for County Auditor. He had formed the
acquaintance Of hundreds Of railroad men through
his position as manager OF the restaurant at the
Union Station, and. being accommodating suave
ana friendly with every one. his nomination for a
local ONCE at a time when a long lease OF power
had made many Republicans Indifferent was fol-
lowed by the election OF himself and a majority
| OF the Democratic ticket. Three Democrats were
chosen members Of the Board Of County Commits
sioners at the same time and thus the election
machinery OF the county passed into the hands of
the Democrats
Tssgart proceeded at once to take advantage of
this fact and build a political machine upon
the power which had into the hands Of the
county commissioners. Two years later he was
elected chairman OF the county committee. and
thu commissioners readily surrendered to him the
selection OF the election officers Wherever posi-
BILE his personal friends among Republicans
appointed judges and inspectors of the election
the Democrats who wers solely controlled by him
appointed similar positions represent the
party at the polls Mr.. Harrison was the nominee
Of the Republicans President, and the contest
was a bitter from start TO finish. but though
Harriaon carried the State the peculiar manipula
cd
getting small majority against Mr.. Harrison in
his home county.
In the next two years the machine enlarged
and strengthened, and when Taggart stood for re-
election his party in complete control both In
the city and county. AS Auditor he had placed
many OF the working Republicans under obligations
to him. and his election conceded from the
start. such the power Of the machine that
the Board OF County Commissioners was also Dem
ocratic and the election machine continued In the
hands Of that party. In the time the com
plaisance OF the commissioners. whom Taggart had
made. proving n costly luxury TO the people.
Allowances which had precedent in the coun-
" made 20 the Auditors office and before
Taggart's second term ended he had drawn thou
sands OF dollars from the county treasury. and
was rich man. his allowances and salary for the
eight years aggregating In excess OF 100000. OF
course. much OF this sum spent with free
hand for the party" for Taggart pursued his
policy OF making friends among the needy classes
the list already under obligations FOR personal
favory
IN 1888 the Democrats met crushing defeat in
the city election. and at once there demand
FOR TagEart to make the FOR Mayor in 1856.
His term OF Auditor was just closing. and he
ceived the party nomination and was elected In
the mean time however. he had been made State
chairman and had carried the State for Cleveland
1892. and his friends had come 10 look upon him
as invincible The same methods that ne had in
ftaT nrgv7Fv ~ba he
city and all the boards appointed with a view
20 his advantage and to that % the party and
IN 1897 and again IN 1893 he chosen Mayor.
But he realized IN the last election that power
slipping through his hands. and that II would
DO to at,emp; another race. In two elections he
had triumphed BY majOrites in excess OF 1900 but
in the third his majority only LIS. and many
believe he was defeated AZ the polls. but through
man.pulations Of the ballots BY his election officers
a bare majority secured for him.
II during his administration as Mayor that
the hrst real distrust OF him became patent Peo-
pie knew that he had received unusual allowances
from the county commissioners. but his apOlogists
found ways % explaining them. and they were
passed by with only little comment He had al
WAYS been liberal with the saloon and gambling
elements. but II was during his administrations as
Mayor that Indianapolis for the first time a
wide open" town. No attempts were made 10
force the liquor gambling laws. and this city
proved soon to be the mecca OF ali classes OF law
breakers. while the police force degeuerated into
mere machine In the hands OF the Mayor.
After his election In 1872 factor found
20 be work in city politics Prior to that time
the saloons had ell been open on the Sabbath and
after legal hours At night. but attempt had
been made 20 dictate what particular brand OF
beer should be sold. Gradually It dawned upon
saloonkeepers that II they sold any brand OF beer
except that made by Crawford Fairbanks at Terre
Hsute they liable TO be arrested when open
Sunday and after II O'Clock night The other
brewery agents protested. and Taggart disclaimed
any effort to force the Terre Haute brand To the
front at the expense Of other brews. But rival
brewers were not to be deceived A salooukeepsr
selling an India M polls Cincinnati Milwaukee,
brand would be arrested ~ open after legal hours
brewery. also selling at Illegal hours. who not
disturbed Saloonkespers began TO use Terre
Haute beer more and and found they
immune from arrest
The reason OF this discrimination found in
Taggart and era WfOTd Fairbanks. the Terre Haute
brewer. In 1895 Fairbanks purchased a plot OF
ground Just north Of Fall creek. but within the
city limits. and opened resort. with William Iron
II picturesque spot, and at
first number OF good people were 3ttrected TO H.
there being music every evening and refreshments
being served the grounds. The property own
ers in the immediate vicinity rebeiled. and brought
suit 20 vacate the place as a nuisance Every one
knew that Fairbanks back OF the enterprise
md there surprise when Taggart was sum
moned witness for the defence. ON the stand
ne testified that IN his opinion the sale OF intOxi-
Giants did injure contiguous property.
the people OF a city injured by having the reputa-
ton of being a wide open town This his
moral standard. as testified 10 by himself. but II
created little comment because his administra-
views regarding law violations.
This was the state OF affairs when he made his
third and last for Mayor in 1899. OF course
many az the saOOnkeepers had been alienated be-
Of discrtminat ions against them and the local
strength OF the party machine, however. that he
succeeded in defeating his Repuhilcan opponent