The Washington herald., 1919-09-14
POLITICS
By The Occasional Prophet
Unselfish Tom Taggart.

Unselfsh Tom Taggart
The former Indiana senator and
Democratic leader has been that dur
ing all his career in politics, business
and private life. But now the appella-
ton of 'Unselfsh Tom is heard
more frequently than ever before.
Despite the entreates of his
friends. he positively refuses to enter
the race for the senatorship to sue.
coed Senator James E. Watson, whs
defeated him two years aso.
Taggart is for former Governor
Samuel NJ. Rslston for the Democratic
nomination for Senator. And when
Taggart is for anyone he always
spells the word for" in capitals
FOR
Ralston is a big man mentally as well
Is physically His speeches are mas
, terpieces and are extensively used
T. national campaigns. Sam Blvthe.
the famous political writer. recently
included Ralston's name in the list of
Democratic Presidential possibilities.
Ralston has been a leader in Indiana
for many years. Although he les been
called upon to serve his State and
party in various capacities for quar-
ter OF a century, he is as modest rs
child. But ii was not OF Ralston
started to speak. 1t was of Tom Tag
gart and his unseIflshness.
Taggart could have the Democratic
nomination for Senator for the asking.
There are mighty bright Republican
politicians who admit that IL Tag
CART would take the nomination he
could be elected. The same Republi-
cans are not quite as certain as they
should be that Ralston cannot turn
the trick. The fact is he can if the
democrats stick together.
Senator Watson just now is run
ming for both Senator and President.
Members OF his party are a bit puz-
zled as to why Jim thinks the party
owes him so much. They admit that
he is big and brainy and the best
orator in the Senate. but there are
other Indiana Republicans who as
pire to fame and position. Closing
two avenues OF prospective prefer
ence to them in the same year is
not causing any too good feeling.
Taggart would have cleaned up on
Watson in 1916 II 1t had not been
Presidential year. He allowed his
campaign TO be handled along the
same lines as the Wilson campaign
was run. He sacrificed all of his
own ideas to those of the national
committee. II it had not been a
Presidential year. Taggart would
have received thousands of Repub-
lican votes. Many Republicans who
wanted to vote for Taggart feared
to scratch their ticket in order to
include his name. So they swallowed
| Watson with Hughes.
There will be no opposition to Raj
ston for the Democratic nomination
for Senator. Taggart will be behind
him all the way. If Jim Watson finally
decides the country does not demand
him for the Presidency. he will be
the Republican nominee for Senator
That means bitterness in the Repub-
lican ranks. for Governor Jim Good
rich, who has his finger on the Re
publican State machine from A to Il,
has the Senatorial itch two inches
under the skin. What may happen
to Watson as a candidate for Senator
is quite likely to be like what hap
pened to him when he ran for gov
ernor and was defeated by Thomas
r. Marshall, now Vice President.
Back again to the point. Tom Tag
CART is demonstrating his unselfsh-
ness by sidestepping a nomination
that would certainly mean his return
to Washington.
1t may be that he is only waiting
for the off-year election when he can
fay Senator Harry New,