Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 208, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 September 1914 — DEMOCRATS LOOKING FOR GOOD EXPLAINERS [ARTICLE]

DEMOCRATS LOOKING FOR GOOD EXPLAINERS

Tom Taggart and Bernard Korbly Would Like to Secure Some Explainers for Campaign.

Washing-ton, D. C., Sept. I.—Tom Taggart and Bernard Koibly, chairman of the Fairbanks-Taggart democratic machine in Indiana, arrived in Washington today and, almost distracted, seached here and there Tor “speaking talent” to rush into Indiana to try to save the Fair-banks-Taggart state ticket from an overwhelming defeat at the hands of the republicans, who are said to be making things hot for the democratic machine, politicians over Indiana state issues. It is understood that Taggart is now anxious to divert attention from state issues by importing into Indiana a lot of democratic congressmen who will discuss any national issues. Taggart and Korbley, almost frantic, are determined to go their limit in an effort to cause the taxpayers of Indiana to quit thinking about the scandals connected with the democratic management of the last legislature as well as the reckless democratic conduct of the state’s financial affairs, the wholesale increase in the number of offices, commissions and boards as well as the very material increase in the state tax levy. It is said that Taggart md Korbly realize the embarrassing situation that Governor Ralston occupies at the present time. They know that his effectiveness as a stump speaker will be reduced to irreducible mininimum as long as he refuses to take vigorous steps to locate and send to the penitentiary the “consummate scoundrels” responsible for the state’s greatest disgrace. It was whispered about here today that there is a possibility that Ralston may not take a very prominent part in the Indiana campaign, after “opening” it. With the arrival of Taggart and Korbly the Indiana political . pot began to boil at a fierce rate. The excitement increased when the caU was sent out to the members o‘s the congressional delegation for a conference that was held tonight. Summons to the conference were sent out by Representative Korbly, who is a brother of the state chairman. “I wonder if we are being called in to be ‘touched’ for a campaign assessment?” said a member of the delegation, in a doleful tone of voice.

The threatened shortage of campaign orators 'and consequent dearth of oratory came up for prayerful consideration. Some time ago September 15th was fixed upon as the date for the opening of the Indiana democratic state campaign. At that time it was thought there would be no difficulty in securing orators A national reputation from among the members of the house and senate.

Since then the coils have tightened around members in orddr to hold a quorum here, and those who promised to go cannot fill their speaking engagements without making themselves liable to be docked $20.50 for every day they are absent from Washington. The situation is one that gives concern to the Indiana democratic leaders, who had hoped to secure the cream of oratorical talent for the Hoosier campaign. It is understood Chairman Korbly will try to persuade President Wilson to make at least one speech in Indiana for the benefit of Senator Shively, who is up for re-elec-tion.