Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-08-17
TOM TAGGART's WAY.
Anecdotes Abos. the Democratic
 National Chairman.
HOW HE SOON SOLVED A PUZZLE.

A Sample of His C1everness at s1eisht o1 Hand worIk-One of His Political Parade NOveIties-HIs Kindness to an ola Irtshwoman-ResuIt of Conn pact With Drunken Man.
 Everybody in Indianapolis has a story to tell about Tom Taggart since his elevation to the Democratic na- tional committee chairmanship, says the New York Tribune
 When Taggart was in St. Louis ait tending the national convention he made his headquarters at the Jefferson hotel. The passenger elevators were 3ammed at almost all hours of the day and night. On one occasion it was necessary that be should do some work at once in his room on the sixth floor, and with the scores of persons fighting to get into the elevators the prospect of getting upstairs without walking was not good. Taggart soon solved the puzzle.
 "Come on with me to the freight ele- vator," he said to Albert F. Bearing, his secretary.
 Cant let you in here," said the freight elevator conductor. "You must go to the passenger elevator"
 .sBut the hotel help rides on this elevator protested Taggart, look of sweet innocence mantling his face.
 .sYes, but broke in the conductor.
 Well" said Taggart, T am the new steward, and this" pointing to Bearing
 lis the butcher Now move up"
 The conductor moved
 Taggart is an adept at sleight of hand and might have made great prestidtgitator if he had turned his attention In that direction But he devotes his talents as a Icon artist in depriving his friends of their tie pins, watches and the like and return ing the articles after the victims have been kept in hot water long enough to satisfy his sense of the humorous.
 One day Andrew M. Sweeney, presi dent of the Indianapolis school board. and close friend of Taggart, was idIing away a few hours with Taggart and several other acuuaintances at the Grand hotel. While they were talking Taggart made move as if to brush Sweeney's coat, and in the operation extracted his diamond pin. It was a dull afternoon, and after awhile Taggart suggested to half dozen of his friends, including Sweeney, that they tasxe a trip out to Fairview park, a summer resort on an electric line about four miles out of the city. They boarded trolley car and in due time reached the park. Taggart then sug- gested that they walk over to leafy nook on the further side of the grounds.
 Arriving there, Taggart assembled the crowd close around him, and in a grave manner began to address the astonished MT. Sweeney.
 ''Mr. Sweeney" he said, i've have long been your friends, and you have been so kind to us and have assisted each and all of us in so many ways that we feel under deep obligations to you. We have therefore chosen this occasion and adopted this method of testifying our deep gratitude toward you. am commissioned, MT. Sween- ey, by these gentlemen whom you see aA0ut you to make you slight pres ent as a testimonial Of our regard What I am about to present to you is not worth much in dollars and cents, but we desire that you shall value it by the spirit in which 1t is offered, rather than by the value of the gi7t." !"
 By this time there was moisture in the eyes of MT. Sweeney.
 1T now present to you our gift" said Taggart. lowing and handing to him his own tie pin, which he had never misaed.
 During Taggart,s second campaign