The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-05-06
INDIANA SPLIT OVER KERN.
TAGGART WANTS HIM ON 1908
TICKET WITH BRYAN.

Opposition Faction Is For Bryan, Too. but
Opposes Kern-The Latter Has Not
Been Forgiven for Remarks About the
Free Silver Craze" Made In 1890.
INDIANAPOLIS, May 5.-The Democratic
leaders who started an inquiry last week
to learn the extent and the real basis for
the opposition to the present State organi-
zation are getting replies to their letters,
and 1t is now apparent that there Is a wheel
within a wheel in Democratic politics In
Indiana. In some localities the oppo-
sition is decidedly larger and more agrees
sive than Taggart's friends expected to
find, and in others it's being secretly
encouraged by men who have been counted
upon as steadfast friends Of the national
chairman and Of State Chairman O'Brien.
But the conservative element OF the party
is opposed to any steps at this time that
will intensity fractional spirit on the eve
Of a State campaign.
Che of the things. that have surprised
the investigators is the fact that opposi-
ton to Taggart has drawn together some
of the most radical leaders Of both the
free silver and gold wings OF the party.
1t as at first supposed that 1t was the
former only that were arrayed against
him, but there have come to the opposition
such men as John w. Holtzman and James
l.. Reach, both gold men in 1895 and but
reluctant supporters Of Bryan in 1900.
On the surface, therefore, the anti-Taggaft
movement is really a Bryan movement.
Men who were opposed to Bryan are allied
with some who were for him, and all are
working 10 the end that he may have the
Indiana delegation in 1908.
10, As a matter Of fact, however, Taggart
and his friends are for Bryan and are now
trying to make a deal by which John w.
Kern, twice a candidate for Governor of
Indiana on the Democratic ticket, will be
named as his running mate. Before
Bryan left for Europe Taggart was in
consultation with him on at least two
occasions. and it ID known among Kern's
friends that he was asked to consider
Indiana for the second place on the ticket
with him, the statement being based upon
the assumption that Bryan would lead
The party and that he could name the oandi-
date for the Vice-Presidency.
|. Mr.. Bryan did not say that he would not
ask for the nomination, but he spoke kindly
Of Kern and of his services to the party in
this State, and Taggart and Kern were well
nlnl Hh1 hIln Ihe 1Stult vi tl0 llNtI v 10 I.
state Chairman o'Brien is known to have
expressed himself as believing that the
party would demand the nomination of
BRYAN at the next national convention
and. in view Of the Waterloo which the
party suffered with Judge Parker as its
| candidate, he was not prepared to say that
BRYAN would not prove the strongest candi-
date that the party could name.
AS a candidate for Governor Mr.. Kern
lost a large per cent. of.the gold Democratic
vote Of the State and the men who were
leaders in that movement In 1890 paid him
back ip 1900 and 1904 for what they call his
desertion in 1895. Kern started out as a
gold man and spoke at a public meeting
here IN opposition to the free silver craze"
But when the Chicago convention formulate
It's platform and nominated Bryan he went
into the campaign for the ticket and did
woman service in its. behalf. The line
| between him and the men who championed
PalnFer'and Buckner was distinctly drawn.
and Kern has never been entirely forgiven.
Taggart's supporters declare that II Is
known that Kern will be q candidate for
the Vioe-Presidency and that Bryan has
spoken favorably OF him and that the real
object Of the gold men who are allied with
the free silver leaders in their fight on the
present organization is to get control Of
the party and select delegation to the next
national convention that will be opposed
to Kern. 1t is charged that the plan has
tbeen worked out and that at tho proper
time. the opposition intends to line up as
pro Bryan and anti-Kern n make its
fight for delegates as It is o making it's
assaults upon. the Taggart-o' Brieni or
gantzation.