The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-04-18
oUrLAWED GRIMES.


Mr.. ". P. Fishback, in an open letter to
Congressman Peelle, makes the bold state
ment that in the campaign of 1880 in Indi-
ana large sum of money was used by Re-
publicsns to aid in the preparation of the
most flagitious crimes. The letter. as may
well be supposed, created a profound sensa-
ton in Republican circles. The terrible
arraignment of Republicans thigh in Office"
was startling, crushing, humiliating. Mr.
Fishback was not supposed to be disappoint-
ed politician. He holds lucrative Office,
said to be worth annually from $4,000 to
$4,000 He was supposed TO be pulling
comfortably in the Republican harness,
ready and willing to do the bidding OF the
bosses. Suddenly Mr.. Fishback, with war
whoop and battle-ax, comes to the front and
charges upon Republican bosses in Indiana
crimes for which the penalty is years of
confinement in the Penitentisry. Not
Republican paper in the State or country
essays one word in the form of denial. They
are as dumb as paving stones. Why? Be-
cause Mr. Fishback's arralgnment admitted
of neither denial nor extenuation. 1t was
grim as death and as solid as mountain.
No dynamite fiend ever more successfully
mined city or threw bomb. 1t created
in Republican circles the most demoralizing
CONSERVATION. There was only one source
OF consolation, one spring which supplied
obliviGl waters. The law came to the res
cue of the criminals, and now they plead
the statute of limitations" Their crimes
are outlawed. There is chuckling in the
wigwam. Mr.. Peelle can not be brought
before the Grand Jury. What Mr.. Fishback
says he knows of men who "connived" as
felonies he can keep from the public. The
crimes Mr.. Fishback charges against
Republicans "high in Office can not be
punished, because the law protects them.
shields them, permits the to miagle in
society and hold up their heads, instead of
sending them to the Penitentiary. How
merclful is the Iawi Such crimes as ''buying
votes, bribing election officers to stuff ballot
boxes and falsify election returns, hiring
repeaters" and permitting arrested felons to
escape, are outlawed in two years, and Mr..
Fishback. lawyer of eminence, of culture,
of high character, a gentleman who stands
in tho front rank of his learned profession,
q cherGlier sans peUr et sans reprochc, is SO
generous that he does not tell what he
knows nor what Mr.. Peelle knows until the
law declares the crimes perpetrated by Re-
publicans "high in Office are outlawed by
the statutes, and prosecutions and punish
ment impossible. Hence Republican bosses
are happy, even joyful In the presence of
such facts the law loses its majesty aud
shrinks to contemplate proportions.
Look at the situation. See the
poor, miserable wretches tramping
"oyer the road" to Prison, Moth or South.
These tramps and vaesbonds have stolen q
coat to cover their nakednes5, or a loaf of
bread to appease their hunger. They are
said to belong to tn criminal class. Now
look at Republicans "high in office
scheming scoundrels, vigilant villains,
orime-cursed criminals, who expend ed $500
900 to "buy votes, hire repeaters and bride
election officials to stuff ballot-boxes and
fslsify elections" They go free. More,
they are rewarded. They are per-
=
State or Federal; they dress in pur-
pie and fine linen, and fare snmptuously
every day; ana Mr.. w. P. Fishback, know
ing of the crimes and knowing the Grim
inzls is so generous that he makes public
what he knows at a time when the law is
powerless to punish. Since the United States
Grand Jury can not take cognizance of the
crimes Mr.. Fishbsck declares were commit
ted by Republicans high in Office or con-
nived at by them the case goes to a grander
jury than the Grand Jury. IL goes to the
people of Indiana. to the honest people eve
rywhere throughout the broad land. Mr.
Fishback has stated the case. he Is q
United States Court official, aud 1t Is in
order for the people to act. Mr.. Flshback
shows conclusively that the Republican
victory in Indiana in 1880 was brought about
by crimes the most infamous that ever dis