South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-01-29
DEMOCRATIC SENATORS URGED TO
VOTE MAJORITY DRY AND LEAVE
C. o. P. TO SETTLE WITH ALLIES
lCoNTINEED FROM PAGE ONEl


Fleming and the liquor interests that are back
Of him. The Cravens idea of a majority of the
democrats ''dry"-Just a bare majority pro-
tect the party-and then leaving IL To the
puBIicans to keep their promise to the "drys'
j. said 10 be very satisfactory Mr. Taggart.
onlg lac would make IL a matter OF conscience,
with more than bare majority IL AVAILABLE
provided the consciences OF the democrats per-
mit-rathcr than a matter of partisanship.
Prohibition Is not partisan issue i'm the
present Legislature" according To eN-sen. Tag
cart. Neither the republican democratic
parties have declared for 1t. II is therefore
a matter for the individual conscience OF each
legislator He has not platform instructions
by which to go. His conscience and his judg-
ment i'm this i'm other nOnpartisan matters
that come up must be his guide"
RECOGNIZES CHANGED PUBLIC OPINION.
The above language is quoted i'm substance,
repeated by inside democrat speaking
from memory. The ex-senator is quoted go
ing i'm similar vein. denying but that
the democratic party, like the republican party
i'm the past, has made favor with the liquor
interests and rewarded them in ways for their
favors, but adding that such was i'm the days
when all parties thought il the proper thing TO
do: system of late years growing more and
more unpopular. until now there is a big ques-
ton mark standing in the way"
Mr.. Taggart points that he has been
cused of almost everything under the sum-
the reputed boss of the Indiana democracy.
However. he is defiant of anyone pointing
instance where nc has profited financially by
that leadership, except perhaps indirectly
account of the men with whom it brought him
i'm contact, possibly leading to business deals i'm
which he might not otherwise had occasion 10
engage. II have served the democratic party.
insofar as / have been of service to IL. using
always the best means of the time being for
the purpose, to aid the party and not myself,
but public opinion political methods is
changing from 20, 10, five year
ago" he asserts He would hate TO see pres
emf, future party leaders attempt to stem
that tide of public opinion. for personal ag-
grandizcment political otherwise, i'm a man
ncr that would tend fix the responsibility
upon the democratic party.
INTEREST OF STEPHEN b. FLEMING.
still further positive denial is credited TO Mr..
Taggart, that the democratic party in Indiana
owes anything TO the liquor interests at the
present time and he rather sarcasticaIIy refers
TO the brewery lobby regarding which his adj
vice was sought. said lobby being under the
alleged Bcrshof brewery interests in the for
mer city.
Fleming. pretensiyeIy democratic, is the
who is said To have handed the Indiana democ-
racy the dOubIe-cross i'm the recent campaign.
gathering a large fund for the republicans from
liquor sources. Fleming is said to have had
the defeat OF Taggart for United States senator
in mind: this plus a re5uke former Gov Rails
ton for appointing him. and otherwise not al
ways doing the 1t. Wayne-New York mans
bidding. IL was Gov. RastOn's independence
Fleming that IL said have led the lat
tcr's resignation from the state senate year
ago. That Fleming il seeking influence party
action for personal gain. while only cOvertly
suggested by Mr.. Taggart. seems To require only
a passing intelligent observation for full
RrInation.
The inference i given that Mr.. Taggmt
seemed inclined To regard il bit of nerve
the part of the senate leaders, To ask him
for any advise in the matter of saving F1em-
ing's brewery interests; also semi-charging
them with something resembling a lack of po-
Iitical acumen their part, sufficient to he
able dinerentiate between Fleming's brew
nd the welfare of the future dem
ocratic party.
HOW DEMOCRATS PLAN TO DODGE
It il accordingly reputed that il was upon
the heels of this semi-rebukc from the long
recognized democratic leader of the state. that
certain of the leaders, still fearful OF
the brewery interests for personal political
reasons. or otherwise, secured. at least
cepted the services OF former State sen. Charles
b. Clark of indianapolis in preparation of
tain amendments the constitutional conVen-
ton bill, calculated put the prohibition qucs-
ton rest. at least for another two years and
possibly four
The plan OF the senate Ieaders-thcse senate
leaders with the emphasis the these
Immediately turned sideuacSing the prohi-
hilton bill with the passage of the constitutional
convention bill, pleading that prohibition is a
question that should go the people. but the
amendments the constitutional convention
bill being proposed. such require the
people To pass trst upon the desirabi.ity of hav-
ing "A new constitution framed To be submitted