New-York tribune., 1920-10-03

Irish vote here, which, as almost every
where, is strongly Democratic. From
present Indications, however, although
there have been Irish Harding meet
ings, the percentage Of loss among
this element will not run over 10 per
cent Effective work is being done
among the Irish TO bring them back.
Bourke Cochran and Senator David l.
Walsh, Of Massachusetts, will address
big meetings here in the next few
weeks, while Bainbridge Colby is an
other orator calculated to appeal par
ticularly to the Irish Democrats, who
are doubtful this year.
Always Tom Taggart
But there are two points which dis
count what appears at present-as dem
onstrated by the betting odds--to be
cocksure proposition. One is that cleo
tion is still q month off and the other
is the "pep," money and enthusiasm of
the Democratic organization. Then
there is always Tom Taggart.
Nearly every Republican I met said
the thing was nailed down, but before
ending the conversation he or she
wished the election was this Tuesday
instead of November e. No one is quito
sure how Cox will change the tide. No
one is able to illustrate hoyv the tide
can be turned. Behind it all there is
Il strong fear that Harding may "stub
his toe" in some Of his campaign
speeches.
These keen Indiana politicians were
amazed, for instance, last Tuesday
when they read the account of Hard
ing's reply to the heckler at Baltimore.
1t may have been honest and sincere,
perhaps, they admit; but it was strik-
|, oh
home run so far as the political game
is concerned. They are afraid Hard
ing may make some blunder which will
upset the situation in this state, which
at present seems nailed down so tight.
Then the state Democratic ticket is
very strong. Carleton B. McCulloch,
Democratic nominee for Governor, is
popular doctor, who served with the
medical corps in France as a lieu
tenant colonel. He has considerable
money. The candidate for Lieutenant
Governor, Samuel B. Foster, of Fort
Wayne, is very wealthy and very popu-
Evansville, who is chairman Of the
state committee. is also very rich.
Taggart's income is estimated at $780,
600 a year.
At the Denison Hotel, where Demo-
cratic headquarters are, one is re-
minded OF George AIDES County Chair
man" There is no connection, but the
Republican gubernatorial candidate,
McCray, is a brother-in-law Of Ade.
Democrats Fighting Hard
Down in the lobby of the hotel there
are always big signs announcing the
organization of a "Taggart Marching
Club" some big rally. Up in the
old bedrooms, where political schemes
have been hatched since the Democrats
used to fight the icy Fairbanks, there
are fifty typewrters clicking out let
ters in the daytime and half dozen
big powwows at night. And in a dozen
corners of the lobby the county lead
ers who have come in to see the big
wigs are talking it over.
On another floor are the Marion
County headquarters, with just as
much enthusiasm and activity as in the
state headquarters. "Tom" himself
shows up about one day a week and
confers with the faithful.
TO an outsider the popularity of
Taggart is an amazing thing. One
would think, from his reputation
through the country as the proprietor
Of French Lick Springs, that he would
have been through politically the day
women were enfranchised The onlv
effect that votes for women has had
upon the campaign, however, was to
force Taggart to come out for pro-
hibition.
Watson had already voted in the Sem
ate for the prohibition amendment and
for the Yolstead act. Because of this
and because of his dislike of the politi-