South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-03-15
TAGGiRT MAY Be
NAMED SENATOR
Gov. RalStOn Calls State Off
Gals Together to Honor
Sen. Shively.
International News service:

International News service:
INDIANAPOLIS. March 15.-Gov.
Ralston has called a meeting of all
state officials for tomorrow morning
10 appoint a committee 10 attend
the funeral of Sen. Shively in South
Bend Friday.
The governor refused absolutely
to be interviewed with reference TO
the forthcoming appointment Of a
senator 10 hu the vacancy and. in
doing so, announced that he would
make no statement regarding the
situation until after Sen. Shively's
burial Prominent democrats con-
ferred with the governor during the
afternoon. among them Thomas
Taggart, who reached the executive
Offices prior 10 the receipt there OF
the news of the death.
There are three names that are
being mentioned prominently in con-
nection with the appointment They
are Thomas Taggart. Evan B. Stot-
senburg OF New Albany. attorney
general, and William NJ. O'Brien of
Lawrenceburg The governor said ne
and Taggart never have mentioned
the eventualities that might arise
should Shively die. with reference to
the posi- bilities Of Taggart's appoint
ment Yet il is confidently believed
that the governor Will consider the
name of Thomas Taggart as the first
of all when he sets about to choose
a successor. There is no question.
apparently, Of the fact that the place
viii be offered To Taggart. The deep
question is: ''WiH Taggart take it?'
The consensus Of opinion Is that
TaEgart will not accept the place.
William II. O'Brien will be cOnsid-
cred. but those in the statehouse.
who believe they know. say GOV.
Ralston will not name O'Brien Stot-
senburg, in the event Taggart is not
named, is a mighty good bet right
now. lie would not even discuss the
situation, when seen tonight and de-
MED absolutely that he had accepted
the attorney generalship for a short
term with any promise of future ad-
vancement along any line.
StOlI il Mentioned.
The consensus Of opinion now is
1
whose name has not been mentioned
such as John b. Stoll Of South Bend.
should be selected by Ralston. a man
like Stotsenburg will stand the best
chance, in case Mr.. Taggart will not
accept the place Taggart's family
\ has long had the ambition for him
to become a United States senator.
/ Yet Taggart's health has not been Of
Ethe sturdy type in the past few
years that il formerly was and a
few months ago Tom Taggart merely
/ laughed when the suggestion was
made 10 him that he might fall into
the senatorship from Indiana at
some future date.
In republican ranks. the news of
the death of Shively fell with a po-
litical thud The vacancy in the SEN
ate will muddle republican waters
Immediately. The Watson forces de-
clare they will go ahead with their
intended fight TO put Watson across
as the nominee OF the party against
John W Kern. for the long term in
the senate. There are rumors OF
wholesale frameups and deals by
which Watson would be given the
nomination for the short term and
thus allay the fight.
But from the ranks Of the New
supporters it is being pointed out
that while News plurality over Wat
son was not large. there can be no
question that the majority OF the
party repudiated the Watson can
didacy at the polls. Thereon will
the New forces bend their energies
against Watson's name appearing on
the republican ticket in any posi-
ton.
Meanwhile comes the story. said
20 be absolutely authentic. that State
Chairman VIII r. HAYS OF Sullivan.
has been promised the nomination 20
make the race against the Ralston
appointee for the filling OF the
Shively vacancy.