New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-20
PARKER AND INDIANA.
TAGGART IS THE ISSUE.
Ills Rejection as National Chairman
Means Loss of State.

Washington july 10. - Republicans anc
Democrats n Washington who are posted on
the political situation in Indiana are watching
with intense interest the deliberations Of tbs
Democratic leaders regarding the national
chair7nanship OF that party. Members OF both
parties equally convinced that the rejection
OF Thomas Taggart, should it occur may be
taken as indicating complete abandonment OF
any hope the Democracy may have entertained
OF carrying the Eoosier State for Parker and
Davis.
AT the most critical period Of the Parker
boom Mr. Taggart came 20 the front and. In
the face Of almost appalling obstacles. side
tracked the Hearst movement and secured a
delegation instructed for Parker. When he I'M
dertOok the fight IL was with distinct under
standing with David B. Hill that his reward for
carrying the Indiana Democracy into the Par
l1er column would be the chairmanship of the
Democratic National Committee.
When the clans gathered at St. Louis, Indiana
found to have five likely candidates for
second place on the ticket. and at time it
seemed IL John w. Kern would prove the
choice OF the convention to accompany Parker.
but the Indiana delegation, mindful of the
great service which Taggart had performed and
OF his right, more than that of any other man,
TO reward. refrained from pushing any of its
favOrite sons for second place. sacrificing all
else that Mr. Taggart might come in for his re-
ward.
To many Of the delegates Kern appealed as a
far stronger candidate than Senator Davis. He
had always been loyal to Bryan, in a State that
loves Bryan TO this day. He was a man Of the
people, as the Hoosier Democrat interprets the
people" and he could have commanded the sup
port OF Bryan and Hearst and all the voters
they could influence. His record showed no in
stance Of his having antagOniZed the labor vote,
and many there were who came 10 Indiana
headquarters and urged the loyal Hoosier 10
press his claim for second place. To every such
appeal they invariably responded. NO, we will
do nothing to endanger the chances of Tom
Taggart's being national chairman" 1t
plainly intimated that Dave" Hill was not the
man TO hesitate at making a necessary promise
in tight place nor the politician TO hesitate to
break it when the tight place was passed These
intimations carried TO Mr.. Taggart. and
he resented them. He could not believe that
Mr.. Hill would play him false. and he said so.
Moreover he added. Mr.. Hill is too wise poll
tician 10 endanger the party in Indiana by any
such double dealing"
As time went and Mr.. Bill gave no in
dication OF redeeming his promise. the In
diana delegation caucused and appointed a
committee 10 wait him and ask him his
intentions regarding the craftsmanship. The
committee never called Hill told Taggart that,
while he had not the least doubt that Judge
Parker would accept his advice he believed
ii would look better to wait until the nominee
could be consulted. merely as a matter of
form. you know The simple Hooser accepted
the bluff OF the willy New Yorker and person
ally requested the members OF the committee
mot TO embarrass Governor Hill" by asking
him to commit himself at this time.
John w. Kerns recent visit 10 Esopus in
the interest Of Taggart is we'll known 1t is
also known that he met with disappointment
and telegraphed Taggart TO come and speak
for himself. 1t is altogether likely that Tag
CART, even when he gets TO New York. will
make no vigorous fight for the honor. He is
not that kind OF a man. He will, in all prob
ability. merely say. very quietly, that the boys
in Indiana viii be seriously disappointed If
the craftsmanship goes elsewhere. as they had
sort OF set their hearts on it,
What the boys in Indiana will say II Taggart
is turned down. however only those familiar
with the situation appreciate. Already they
are sick heart over the Parker telegram
They had said that they would not stand for
any humiliation Of Bryan, and what they think
OF the cheap trick by which IL was. at the die
tation of the New-York press. attempted 10 COM
init the Democratic convention 10 the gold
standard would not make cheerful reading for
The Sphinx OF Esopus
Another source Of sorrow and chsgrin to the
q. Davis He is not their sort Of man. They
are old fashioned Democrats who abhor can't
talistc Democrats, and already the local Ia Dor
leaders are charging Davis with having been
me determined and continuous foe OF organized
labor. backing up their allegations with specific
charges. Altogether, il would REQUIRE a Tag
CART TO give the Democrats ghost OF a snow ia
Indiana, and none knows that better than the
Indiana Democrats themselves
CEoer these circumstances the selection NJ
any chairman OF the Democratic National Com
nittee ether than Tom Taggart, will be regard
ca ny those 1ndianians in Washington and
probably In Indiana, as a complete surrender of
the Hoosier State to the Republicans Hundreds
OF Democrats who have never voted anything
Dut Ihe democratic ticket VIII refuse to vote for
the Hill nominee, although they NAV NOT Oh 10
the polls TO vote the Republican ticket: while
hundreds Of others. the younger element and tbe
less strict party men. Will not miss the opnor-
tunity OF casting their bellcts for Theodore
Roosevelt and Charles Warren Fairbanks.