The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-10-31
THE HELLER LIBEL, SUIT

Inc readers OF the SkNTfNEL, al THIS lave
day, need scarcely be reminded that ex-
Judge Heller about one year ago brought
a civil suit against the SENTINEL and w. II.
Donahey-its correspondent "Don"-to re-
cover $4,000, that amount being deemed
sufficiently large to heal all the wounds in
flicted by the SENTINEL upon His Honor by it
while endeavoring to purge the fiscal affairs
of Marion County of the most astonishing
corruptions. In many cases, quite too nu-
merous to catalogue in this article. the laws
had been Aagrantly and continuously
violated. Money, wrung from taxpay-
ers, had been wantoniy, proaigately
and criminally squandered. Rings
rioted in corruption. Rottenness pre-
vailed. OficisIs, acting under oath as
the servants Of the people and the guardians
right and left. The vice of venality deeked
itself, and with unblushing impudence
paraded the streets OF the city. The men,
guilty of these vile practices, unmarked.
played the role of Satan reproving sin.
They smoked the most fragrant cigars, drank
the best liquors, wore the best clothes.
stuffed themselves with the best viands,
prated of their virtues, tuned their throats
to the melodies of sacred songs and bowed
reverently when the robed minister,
officiating at the sacred altar, en-
gagged in prayer. The SENrINE Ell concluded
to open the eyes of the people to this swelter-
ing mass of hypocrisy, venality, criminality,
and general abomination. In doing this it
becomes necessary to refer to Judge Heller.
He was Judge of a Criminal Court. His
business was to obey the law himself. He
was under obligations made sacred by the
binding obligations of an oath to preside
with clean hands. faint or suspicion OF
faint brought his official proceedings within
the domain of criticism. Had he violated
the law? was the supreme question. Had he
taken a dollar that did not belong
to him? was what the people wanted to know.
He was chosen to be Judge by
the people to punish crime-to send men TO
prison if guilty OF violating the laws. He
was expected to be light to the community
and an ornament to the Bench. ROBBED in
the ermine of Judge, he was expected to
keep out of the mud. His acts-his public
acts-were proper subjects for criticism. The
SENTINEL availed itself of its high preroga.
tive, and Judge Heller wants money with
which to plaster his wounds and assuage his
pangs. He sues. The SENTINEL stands ready
to respond before the proper tribunal. Once
it has stood trial and came forth I'M
scathed. Judge Heller wants another
trial. The SENTINEL stands ready to
answer, but it wants a FAIR trial. 1t pro-
tests against packed Jury. 1t does not
want d partisan Jury, nor will it be content
with such a farce. Conscious of its integ-
rity, it scorns to vindicate its fidelity to the
best interests of society by resorting to Chi
canery, to the vulgar arts of those who,
knowing they are guilty, seek refuge by a
resort to means which degrade laws and
Courts alike. The SENTINEL last Wednes-
day found it impossible, in the
opinion of its legal advisers, to have
a fair trial in Marion County and
was compelled, therefore, to ask for a
change of venue, and the case was sent to
Hamilton County, and there it will be tried.
As a matter of course the SENTINEL will be
prepared to vindicate its course, and what.
ever may be the result it will not hesitate in
the future to expose corruption in high
places, and seek, as opportunities offer, to
warn the people against official malfeasance.