The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-24
A BIT OF CANT.

A BIT OF CANT
| 1t is given out that Hon. John B. Elan
was Governor Porter's choice for the posi-
ton of police commissioner, but that those
eminent non-partisans, Captain Myers,
John ]. Cooper and "Jim" Rice objected to
exposing such gentlemen as Mr. J. w. Muir
| ply and Mr.. J. P. Frenzel to the possible
danger of association with such an awful
politician" as Mr. Elan; and so his
name was dropped, and that of a
gentleman less obnoxious by his political
opinions and service was substituted, to the
great relief of the non-partisans before
spoken of. Mr.. Elam's connection with
"politics" consists in his acceptance of the
candidacy for State senator last year, at the
command of his party and against his
decided personal preference He made
an able and strong canvass and polled a
vote at the election which indicated his
standing with the community and the Re
publican party. This is the extent of Mr..
Elam's political" service His offense hath
this extent, no more. Mr.. ]. w. Murphy
has been the candidate of the Democratic
party for the same office, and, by the
same token, is as much of politician" as
Mr.. Elan. Mr.. J. P Frenzel is an
active Democratic worker, and the treasurer
of the Democratic State committee We are
certain Mr.. Frenzel would smile at the in
timation that he is not in politics.
1t need not be said that John B. Elan is
the peer of any man in the county of Marion
forany position the Republican party has to
bestow as it need not be said that the best
recognition the party can give is the
due of Mr.. Elan for the gallant
and loyal service he rendered the
party in the last campaign, when true,
loyal, and stout-hearted Republicanism
counted as it never counted in any other
canvass the party has made in the State of
Indiana. 1t is not necessary to say, also,
that the appointment of Mr.. Elan as
police commissioner would have been
eminently satisfactory to every Re-
publican in che city, and that the selection
did credit to Governor Porter's head and
heart. 1t is also to be said that Mr. Elan is
too devoted TO his profession to have made
it possible for him to have accepted the
place; but it is duty every Republican owes
himself to repel with proper indignation the
affront that John B. Elan is
in any way untitled, because
of his sterling Republicanism or by reason
of his unsolicited candidacy for the State
Senate at time when the party was seeking
a candidate, for association in the police
board with men of the unquestioned high
character of John w. Murphy or John P,
Frenzel. He is as good and as true a man as
either, and it is no derogation to anyone to
say so in the most emphatic manner. We
are making no criticism upon or objection
to the board as it stands, The three men
are such men as warrant the hope that the
plans and purposes of the authors of the bill
may be defeated, and an effort made to give
the city the best police service possible under
the terms of bill that is repugnant to every
principle of responsibility and efficiency
in local government But we protest
with all vigor against the cont empt-
ible cant that John B. Elan is more
a politician" or would use his power with
less high sense OF honor, than either Mr..
Murphy or Mr. Frenzel. The objection to Mr..
Elan was that he made canv ass on the
wrong side of a question to please the liquor
league, which is now dominant with the
Democratic party. That is all there is of it,,
and it is nonsense to attempt to disguise the
patent truth.