The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-04-29
I. TAGGART
MA Y LEAD
DEMOCRATS
Speculation on Murphy'S Sue
ceSsor Active-Ralston
Figures,
Figures.
BY LOWELL MELLET

| by LOW LIZ A1E1%lJEI
Political headquarters are speeulat-
ing very seriously on the possible
effect of Charles F. Murphys death.
| The argument appears TO be general
| that the effect will be real, not only on
the candidacy of Al Smith for the
Democratic nomination for president,
but on the influence that Tammany
will have in the coming convention.
Smiths personal popularity will win
him a great many delegates. Beyond
| this number he will require those that
| can be brought to his support by
skillful maneuvering. 1t is believed
that, no matter how clever he may
be, any successor to Murphy is unlike
| ly to have the latter's experience of
national convention strategy and tao
tics and. which is more important, the
latter's personal domination over ma
chine politicians from other States.
Most Experienced
It is more important to know who
is to succeed Murphy in the New
York. Illinois Indiana triumvirate than
who is to succeed him as boss Of Tam
many. Tom Taggart is regarded as
more likely than George Brennan,
since he came nearer dealing with
Murphy on even terms. Brennan has
submitted to Murphy's dictation In the
past on occasions when Taggart acted
as an entirely equal partner. This
may have been because Brennan is
younger and newer to the game. He
l. he 80 h.
Roger Sullivan tradition: it was i'm
possible for Murphy and Taggart to
regard him as more than understudy
Of the great Roger.
on the other hand however, Tom
Taggart is growing old and shows
signs of WEAKNESS. He has spent
much Of the past twelve months in
hospitals and in travel for his health.
Behind his bland smile 1t may de-
velop at the New York convention
that his punch is gone. Taggart. of
course, really desires to nominate
Senator Ralston, just as Murihy really
desired to nominate Al Smith. II was
a personal desire in each case. Be.
yond the ambition to be an actual
president-maker. each of the veteran
1IlSD DfcStS IldQ lIAtfAttStlat " SCI We
While there has been much talk that
Murphy and Taggart We're solely con.
cerned with beating McAdoo. it doubt
less is fact that the hope each held
Of making his own personal protege
president was a greater factor than
enmity toward McAdoo.
May Support Smith
with Ralston eliminated. It would
not be strange If Taggart threw his
influence TO Smith. Murphy. II he
had lived. would have thrown his in
huence to Ralston if Smith had been
eliminated first. As for beating Nc
Adoo. that was a more serious con-
! Germ Of Murphys than 1t ever has
been Of Taggart's. Murphy had a
reason. MeAdoos national program
/ didn't worry him McAdoo's local pos
Htical program did McAdoo. as Sec
rotary OF the Treasury, Joined with
| President Wilson in ignoring Tam
many's claims to New York patronage
Tammany doesn't ask much of Demo
cratic presidents. Tammany mon say.
except that Tammany have complete
control of New York appointments.
They would not take a chance on
McAdoo again in that respect after
their experience during the Wilson
administration.
AS for Taggart. If he can not put
Ralston across. he wants only a win
ner. If McAdoo looks like the surest
winner. it is not too much to expect
| Tsggart to lend his support.
Has No Candidate
Brennan has no particular candi-
date. He has tied himself to Hearst
to some extent. but this secret align
ment Is not regarded as important or
permanent-perhaps one compliment
airy ballot. Smith or Ralston would
be satisfactory. Underwood would be
ideal Winning with Underwood
would give him an Independent i'm
portance, that he could not have If
either Taggart's or Murphy's personal
candidate were put over by his aid.
All things considered. the three
cornered coalition is likely to carry
less well ht this year than it has In
other years. Small bosses, who in the
past have been glad to trade their
delegations for one of Charley Muir
phys chilly smiles, are liable to look
| twice-and hard-at the overtures of
the New York leader who is set up
in his stead