The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-07-24
Members of the Party Are Now
Cleaning House Since the
Journalist Announces He
Will Enter State.
BRYAN HAS EYES ON
BOSS THOMAS TAGGART
Political Dicator of Democrat
ic Policies in Indiana Must
Clear Skirts of Questionable
Affiliations.
Special Correspondence.


Indianapolis. July 24.-The an
nouncement from French Lick that
the gambling devices so hurriedly
moved when the governors recent
plan to raid the Casino there was, in
some mysterious manner, tipped of,
have been shipped away and that the
law will hereafter be lived up TO both
there and at West Baden. has caused
much speculation. Those who have
stopped to figure 1T out. say that the
move is shrewd one on the part OF
Tom Taggart, who has recently been
his determination to 'be good for the
sake of the party in Indiana. There
has been a lot of talk as to his attitude
toward Bryan, or rather the Nebras-
kan's attitude toward Taggart. because
of accusations that the Indiana man
has not always put his party first.
playing into the hands of the brewery
interests whenever he could do so and
cover up his tracks. In fact. he has
been openly charged with trading the
ticket here in Marion county in ord
er to give the brewery interests a
boost In the legislature. For some
months, Mr.. Taggart has been getting
into line. and II is said that Bryan is
watching him closely for any signs OF
the Taggart trickery or tactics that
have so handicapped the party's
chances OF success. And now comes
the announcement that there is to be
no more law-breaking at Taggart's
1t. III Z.
vices being disposed of forever. But
the real meat in the nut is found in
another direction.
Hearst a Factor.
II is known that Hearst and his In
dependence League is going to put a
full ticket in the field in Indiana. IL
is also known that he intends TO dump
a lot of money into the state in the
hope of beating the democrats. And
when it is recalled that Hearst bitter
" attacked Taggart and his resort at
French Lick something over a year
ago, openly accusing him-the national
chairman of the Democratic party-of
sanctioning gambling there and defy
ing the governor of Indiana. the ex-
PLANTATION of Taggart's latest move In
purging himself is plain. Hearst has
long been after Taggart's scalp. He
would do most anything to get IL, and
what would be more reasonable than
for Taggart to clear his skirts. and do
tt quickly? He must not, according to
the Bryan supporters, figure In the
councils of the party with any vulner-
able spots in his armor, and to those
who would witness the thorough
cleansing of party chief. attention Is
directed to one Thomas Taggart, who
is passing through the process of d.
vesting himself of every political sin
that has ever been charged against
him, and standing out in the full light
ready and willing to battle for the
party. Just how long the willy Tom
will retain this pose remains to be
seen, but it is safe to say that he viii
"be good" until the November cleo
tion, at least
Democrats Worried.
There is no denying the fact that
the doings of Hearst and his Indepen-
dence league are worrying the demo-
cratic leaders in Indiana. From all
over the state reports have reached
the democratic state committee head
quarters showing unusual activity on
the part of the Hearst henchmen- In
deed, right here in Indianapolis they
are now at work. Not longer ago than
Wednesday of this week Hearst rep
resentatiye was in the city and held
number of conferences with men who
are desired for places on the different
tickets that are to be put in the field.
One of the men with whom he con-
ferred was a candidate for nomination
on the legislative ticket this spring.
He was, at that time, approached by
the brewery agents or Taggart men
and questioned as TO his attitude to-
ward the liquor interests. His replies
were unsatisfactory and he was beat
en- at the primaries. Since then he
has been sore on Taggart. Knowing
of this the Hearst runners got on his
trail and now are trying 10 induce him
to stand for an Independent league
nomination for the legislature, or even
something better.
Hearst is going pour money into
| Indiana" said this man just after his
conference with the Hearst represen-
tatiye. He has some axes TO grind in
| this state and has the money to pay
for the grinding. The Hearst strength
| In Indiana is serious menace TO
Bryan's chances. in my opinion. and SO
long as Taggart remains within the
party there can be no hope of pacify-
| ing Hearst He is riding hobby of
his own, rather enjoys it and will al
Il Il