Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-02-27
PETITION ONLY
AWAIT WORD.

1EIIIION ONLY
AWAIT WORD.
Petitions IN behalf Of his candidacy -
be filed with the secretary Of State are
known to be in the hands Of friends,
WHO are only awaiting his word to start
them circulating for signatures. That
the necessary five hundred names could
be obtained in a few hours is conceded
and It is not likely that an effort will
be made to get a Statewide representa-
! ton on the petitions before the hnaI
| time for filing senatorial candidates. ex-
| pires next Thursday.
This demand for Mr.. Ralston's candf-
dacy was based on the grounds that only
through the candidacy Of the Ex-Governor
viii it be possible for the Democrats
Of the State 10 present united opposi-
tion to the Republicans: that Mr.. Rails
ton owes it to his party in return for
past fayors to make the race; that he is
so situated that he can avoid a primary
hight for the nomination and that his
position On public affairs represents the
sentiment Of the Democratic party Of
the State TO such a troad extent that he
must respond to a call to leadership.
Mr.. Taggart, who is known TO have
favored the nomination Of Mr. Ralston
months ago. lost no time on his return to
Indiana in taking himself completely cut
Of the way OF Mr. Ralston's candidacy.
He issued the following statement az
/ French Lick this morning:
! Il have been absent from the State for
several weeks and on my return find that
friends have circulated a petition to be
! fled with the Secretary OF State to cause
my name to appear on the primary bal
/ lot as a candidate for the United States
Senate
! Democrats OF Indiana have shown
/ themselves most generous to me in the
past by cOnfering or me every honor
within their power. At the meeting Of
the Democratic State committee Dec n,
I stated publicly that I was not a candi-
! date for the United States Senate and did
not want the nomination. / though that
sufficient
81 want the Democrats Of the State TO
understand that l am not unmindful Of
their generosity, confidence and respect
and appreciate It more than words can
express.
81 want to say now, in order not 20
conflict with the aspirations Of any other
who may desire to become candidates,
that am not q candidate for the United
States Senate, do not want my name pre-
scented and will not accept the nomins-
ton.
"As q Democrat who loves his party,
I will always do my duty to II faith
| fully and willingly. just as much Is
though were candidate.
Hoping this will put end to further
consideration Of my name, am.
THOMAS TAGGART."
The inclination of the State leaders Of
the Democratic party to force Mr. Rails
ton into the race is not without difficult
ties of accomplishment since IL is re-
newed. Rgainst the positive declaration OF
Mr.. Ralston he cannot afford TO enter
the race. However, under almost the
same circumstances, Mr.. Taggart was
forced into the fight in 1920, when It was
admitted there was cor siderably less
chance Of success than now exists.
The same methods Of compelling Mr..
Ralston to be a candidate have been
adopted and there are Democrats who
were satisfied the attempt would be a
success.
RALsTON SAYS HE
CANNOT AFFORD 1T.
Mr.. Ralston was known to be I'M
decided as to whether to make an
nouncement Of his candidacy prior 70
the Democratic Editorial meeting. At
that time, however, he declared his cir
cumstances were such he could not afford
to enter the primaries.
There Immediately sprang up a field
Of candidates whose strength is sd-
mittedly weakened by several divisions.
Petitions have been circulated pre-
paratory to filing notices Of candidates.
for Walter Myers Of Indianapolis, Dan
W. Simms Of Lafayette, and B. Bobbs
Shiveiy Of Marion. None OF these
petitions has been fled. however, and It
is acknowledged, In event Mr.. Ralston
win file. some OF these petitions wfa
be forgotten.