The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-05-02
Taggan Versus Beverage" Still the Issue
Although the Democratic Boss
palladium Specially

palladium Specially
Indianapolis. Ind. May o.-Some
time ago, when Thomas Taggart was
an avowed candidate for the democrat
ic nomination for United States sena-
tor At the hands of the democratic
state convention, the statement was
made that in case of his nomination
the issue in the coming campaign
would be ..Taggart or Beveridge'
This was pointed out as the ono great
question that would be placed before
the voters OF Indiana and everybody
realized that the campaign would be
fought out along that line.
Then came the defeat Of Taggart for
senator. The convention refused to
give him the nomination. although it
was the general belief beforehand that
he would be the nominee.
But the fact that Taggart did not get
that nomination for himself does not
change the. fact that the question still
is .Taggart or Beveridge." Taggart
failed to land the nomination for him
self. but he did land it for John W.
Kern. and he made the bold statement
after the convention that he was all
along candidate himself only in the
interest of Kern. Taggart says he
did not expect the nomination for him
self. but he wanted Kern to have the
nomination and that he came out as
candidate to help Kern land the
prize. Therefore, Kern Is regarded as
Taggart's man and this leaves the
main issue in the campaign just as 1t
was outlined some time ago.
Not only did Taggart force the nom
nation OF Kern for senator. but he
nominated every candidate that was
placed on the state ticket by the DEM
ocratic state convention. He did not
miss 1t on single candidate Every
man that he supported and wished to
be nominated was nominated. and ev-
cry. man that he wanted to defeat was
defeated. The most notable victory OF
Taggart, of course, was in the defeat OF
John e. Lamb for the nomination for
senator. The next was his choosing
all Of the candidates.
Taggart made the statement In the
convention. when he threw the entire
vote of Marion county to Kern, that
pile, but he is now saying that the ma
chine has been rescued from the scrap
pile and that it Is In good working or
der again.
Therefore, Taggart will be the dom
mating factor in the coming campaign
by the democrats, and on his shoulders
rests the burden Of making winning
fight.
Persons who have thought over the
Developments OF the state convention
are wondering. also. about another
matter, and that is the connection OF
Governor Marshall with the result OF
the work, OF the convention. The gov
ernor proposed that the convention
nominate candidate for United
States senator. Taggart opposed the
plan and made fight against It. The
governors plan carried and the con-
vention made nomination. Thus Tar
in the story the governor, Is the win
ner Of the fight. But here comes Tag
CART, and after the governor had won
his fight, Taggart names the candt-
GATE. Now the question is this: Did
Taggart and Marshall work for the
same end?
It Is not charged that there was any
arrangement or understanding between
the governor and Taggart to slip one
over on the convention. but many
persons are wondering how It happen
ed that Taggart named the very man a.
q candidate for senator that was most
acceptable to Governor Marshall. Only
future developments will show just
how this remarkable co-incident hap.
pened.
Some people believe that Taggart led
Marshall into clever little trar
through his opposition to the senator
ship plan, the purpose Of which was to
bring about the nomination OF Kern
who is one OF Taggart's best friends
The governors friends, however. de
clare that the governor won a glorious
victory" and that he administered 9
singing defeat to Taggart. But just
where the sting Of the defeat comes
in, when Taggart named all OF the can
didates is hard to figure out.
Another thing on which Tasgar'
won q victory was in the adoption Of
the liquor plank in the democratic
state platform. This plank Is just
what Taggart, Crawford Fairbanks