The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-01
TAGGART'S FRIENDS REPLY.
COMPLAIN or JUDGE PARKER
TREATMENT OF HIN.
He Was Han dicapped From tho beginning,
They say-That Matter OF $50, 900
-Ta5gart Said to lie Planning an Alli-
ance With Bryan for zoos Campaign

Chairman Taggart OF the Democratic
national committee say that it is not fair
10 put on his shoulders all the blame for
the acknowledgement of the Democratic
Presidential canvass. They declare that
he was handicapped from beginning TO
end and that he left New York in deep dis
gust before the election and with a firm
conviction that the people we're about to
reject Judge Parker.
This is the story told by friends OF Mr..
Taggart regarding his attitude ms can
didate for chairman OF the national COM
mittee and his troubles as chairman
Immediately after Judge Parker's nom
nation and the meeting at St Louis OF
majority OF the national committee. who
voted for Taggart az chairman, John W.
Kern went to see Judge Parker at Esopus
as the representative OF Taggart. He
told Judge Parker all that had passed at
st. Louis, and said that Taggart was the
choice OF Western Democrats for the chair
manship, but he held his aspirations en-
tirely subject to Judge Parker's views,
feeling that tho Judge had greater per-
sonal interest in the campaign than any
ono else and that the national chairman
should be wholly acceptable to him.
Judge Parker. it is said refused at first
10 commit himself in any way, but before
Kern left Esopus ne was assured that Tag
CART was in no sense Objectionable to the
candidate.
Following Taggart's election he called
upon Judge Parker and had private con-
ference with him. He spoke of the neces-
atty for harmony in the committee and
inimated that it was only natural that he
should desire to have some Of his close
personal friends on the executive and
advisory committecs-men whom he knew
to be in sympathy with him and gener-
ously loyal to party and candidate.
He asked for suggestions as to the make
up OF these committees and Judge Parker
promised 10 consult with him further in
the matter Taggart came back to Indiana
10 settle up some private business matters
before entering upon his duties as chair
man. and expected to confer with Judge
Parker again before making any appoint
ments
But he had been here only few days
when he was surprised TO receive letter
from Sheehan accepting the Craftsmanship
OF the executive committee. The next
letter he opened WIS from August Belmont,
and thanked Taggart for appointing him.
Further along in his mail was a letter from
Judge Parker, who had named all the mem
bers OF the executive committee and as
signed to each the place he should hold
during the campaign. Taggart was dumb
founded when he read this letter, for he
saw that the Judge, instead of waiting to
confer with him further had taken upon
himself the appointment OF the committee,
and, as was indicated by Sheehans and
Belmonts letters, had notified them at
least OF their selection.
A conference OF Taggart's friends here
was called and the list was submitted to
them Kern and Joe Tanning stormed
ct Parker's action and advised that the
entire list be rejected Tasgart was I'M
decided, but at every suggestion he came
back to the question:
'Parker's the candidate. and how are you
going to reject his seections?'
On the list was the name Of Campau OF
Michigan. ono of the Western Democrats
who had schemed to defeat Taggart and
his name was stricken of, but it was the
only one that Taggart refused TO approve,
and the list was given out here by Taggart
as his own appointments
The following is the version given by
Mr.. Taggarts friends regarding another
matter: According to them, Mr.. Taggart
discussed with the members Of the eIecu-
tive committee conditions in Indiana as
in other States and, incidentally, the SEN
hacl, owned by Taggart, was mentioned
In connection with the work that news
papers In this State we're doing for the
party.
There had been some requests by news
papers for assistance from the committee
but these had been turned down. In the
discussions regarding the newspapers Tag
CART admitted that tho Sentinel was greatly
hampered by lack OF money, and one mem
Der OF the committee asked what it would
take to put the paper on n paying basis
"Oh," said TaRgart $1,000 at least"
This. declare his friends, is the only
basis for tho statement that he asked for
$4,000 from the committee on the ground
that, If it were not paid, the Sentinel would
20 to the wall. And it is said that the
reference to the paper was made only in a
general way. and not in connection with
eubsdi2ing any sheets. and that the ref
orenoe to the needs Of the Sentinel was not
made with the expectation or desire OF
receiving aid for the paper for there was
never n time in the campaign that a re-
Ownership was imminent OF that Mr.. Tag
CART was not willing TO put up money out
Of his own pocket to keep it on it's feet till
after tho election.
It is not denied that the Sentinel has
not been profitable venture to Taggart
- far The plans in regard TO 1t are Of
interest
Efforts have recently been made 10 form
a Joint stock company to buy the Sentinel
and Bryan has been asked 70 take stock
and assume editorial management, but how
far this deal has progressed Ia not known
a close friend OF Bryan has been here and
has gone carefully over the books Of the
paper. and some Of the Democratic leaders
are hopeful that Bryan may be Induced
to head n company for the purchase OF the
State organ.
The idea OF the hackers OF this scheme
Ia TO consolidate the Sentine' with the Conn
rloHer, make it morning daily and strike
out for circulation with the influence they
believe tho mans OF Bryan would carry.
They say that Bryan's connection with
such venture would make II national
from the start and that 1t could be made