New-York tribune., 1916-03-16
Senate Vacancy Starts Po-
litical Pot Boiling All
Over Indiana.
TAGGART TO NAME
THE NEW SENATOR
Expected to Take the Place
Himself and Nominate Raj
ston for Successor.
rRy Telegraph 70 n. Tribun. ]

indianapolis, March 15.-1he death
Of Senator Benjamin F. Shively has
suddenly brought national politics.
state politics and every other brand OF
politics 10 a white heat in indiana, for
between now and the carly part OF
April, when the state conventions meet
70 complete the work Of nominating the
state tickets under the new direct pri-
mary law, plans will be made in all
parties that will have far-reaching ef-
fects for years to come.
Harry S. New, who defeated James T..
Watson last week in the direct primary
FOR the Republican nomination for
United States Senator for a full term Of
six years TO succeed Senator John W.
Kern, the present Democratic incum-
bent, undoubtedly will be nominated
for that place by the Republican State
Convention en- April D.
Who will receive the Republican nom
ination for Senator Shively's term,
which expires in 1921. is a most inter
esting question. without doubt Jim
Watson will be candidate for II, with
the probabilities favoring his success,
although more than one other distln-
puished Republican is on the verge or
throwing his hat into the Senatorial
ring.
"Jim" WatsOn's Chances.
IL Watson Is turned down for either
Senatorial plum II will be due 20 the
fear that he cannot be elected next fall.
Il. r IL . Ia "
gressive element In the reunited and
Triumphant Republican party here will
be recognized by the nomination Of
Harry New TO succeed Kern, the chances
would seem 10 be that Watson Will be
named to succeed Shiveiy.
The direct primary law is somewhat
ambiguous on this and other points, but
II seems 10 be quite generally agreed
that the coming state convention VIII
name the nominees without the for
mality and expense Of another direct
primary. Some lawyers maintain, how
ever, that another direct primary cleo
ton will have 20 be held
In the Democratic ranks TON" Tag
CART holds things in the hollow OF his
hand. He has compelled President
Wilson TO follow MS Will in the matter
of Indiana patronage, and when the
President visits Indians IL is Tom"
Taggart's auto which meets him az the
station. Taggart absolutely controls
the delegates 10 the Democratic State
Convention which will meet here next
month. while Governor Ralston is sim
ply q messenger boy for Taggart.
Eager To Be Senator.
Ralston is itching to be named by
Taggart's state convention for the un-
expired term OF Senator Shively. Tag
CART for years has had an idea that
the title of United States Senator
would ''lsten pretty good" in front Of
his name. So, unless he changes his
mind, a decree will issue from French
Lick Springs that Governor Ralston
shall be named by the convention for
the long term, and then Governor Raj
ston will make out Taggart's appoint
ment for the short term. OF course,
Taggart may change his mind and de-
eide to take both nominations. OF, il is
barely possible, he may decide not 20
take either. His power 10 do as he
pleases in the matter is undisputed.
There are indications that the Tag
gart programme is not being received
very enthusiastically in Washington.
All this serves 10 emphasize the to-
lhl ldCh Ol lNuNtLCt OF lCt-i ItSlutNN
Marshall, even in his own state, and
leads 70 the belief widely held here
that Marshall will not be renominated
for Vice-President on the ticket with
Wilson.
Wilson Looking Elsewhere.
The cold and calculating Wilson is
credited with figuring out that lndi-
ana is ss good as gone anyway next
fall, and that he can strengthen himself
more by picking a running mate from
Ohio, Illinois. Missouri or still further
West. Missouri, particularly, is in
need of being shown something that
will brace up her fsinting Democratic
heart.
The newly elected Republican State
Central Committee met here to-day TO
organize for the coming campaign.
Chairman Will II. Hays and Secretary
l.. ". Henley were unopposed for re-
election. Some Of the committees to
arrange for the state convention were
appointed, and plans for sending q spe-
cial train loaded with supporters Of
Charles W. Fairbanks for the Presi-
Dental nomination TO the national con-
vention at Chicago were made.