Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 February 1911 — Washington Newspaper Discusses Indiana Democratic Politicians. [ARTICLE]

Washington Newspaper Discusses Indiana Democratic Politicians.

Washington Star: Somehow the most interesting of the Indiana Democrats is the Hon. Thomas Taggart. Not the ablest, understand. By general consent, there are many abler. Nor yet the most fortunate in the way of reward. Others have obtained office —some with his assistance —while he has remained on the outside. But, for all that, he is the best known, and appears oftenest in print. His whereabouts, his intentions, his performances are the most frequently chronicled. A good advertiser? Well, maybe. At any rate he keeps, or is well kept to the front in all readable gossip about Indiana politics.

There are many persons—not necessarily Indianians —who regret that Mr. Taggart has never pressed more diligently for office for himself. He wanted the instructions for senator which went to his friend John W. Kern, that is to say, he wanted them after discovering that through the energy of Governor Marshall they would go to somebody. But, for some reason, he did not land and so had to take comfort in Mr. Kern’s success.

The senate might not have suited Mr. Taggart. He might not have shone there. Edward Murphy, Jr., of New York did not shine there, nor James Smith Jr. of New Jersey—both of the Taggart school of politics—strong in caucus work and in getting the “boys” to the polls on election day, but not students of government nor debaters of the first order. Still, Mr. Taggart would not have permitted himself to be lost in the senatorial shuffle. Somehow, in some way, he would have made himself known to his colleagues and to the country. The latest news from and about this interesting man is that he will soon surrender the place of national committeeman from his state. He has not lost his interests in politics. The Democracy and a straight ticket for him as long as he lives. But in future he will work in the ranks, and be satisfied there. Does he mean it? Has he tired of the publicity that waits upQn a celebrity, in action? Does he long to be able to make a little journey from home and meet old friends without having to answer questions about what he is up to now? Or is it this announcement but another of his schemes for keeping himself before the public until such a time as he may be able to make a new move and invite attention to himself in a new role?