The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-20
MR., ROACH AND THE REFORMFHs.

ion of an Attorney general biased by partisan
prejudice, has had its legitimate effect, and
John Roach is efectually disposed Of, being
driven into bankruptcy, and his extensive
ship yards placed in the hands Of assignees.
1t may be that this is little further than his
enemies intended carrying their hostility. but
they were so intent on securing party capital
that they forgot the inevitable effect Of their
crusade against him. It has been evident
from the outset that it was Mr. Whitney's in
tention to make "a record" for himself, and
| in pursuit Of this idea he has not only been
exacting, but has heaped exaction upon exac-
ton until he was Infatuated by the way in
which each was met and overcome by Mr..
Roach, when he turned to Attorney general
Garland, who came to his aid with an opinion
that, for contradiction and apparent insincer-
ity, has seldom been equaled. He began by
declaring that no contract existed between the
government and Mr.. Roach, and at once pro.
ceeded to stultfy himself by arguing at length
that the terms of the contract had not been
complied with With this fresh evidence of
implacable hostility Mr. Roach realized
the. hopelessness OF making a fight
for justice, and he gave up the unequal con-
test. He probably could have survived the
rejection Of the Dolphin, but in his yards
were three other vessels nearing completion
which he rightly argued would meet with a
like fate at the hands Of those determined to
ruin him. Large sums of money were in
volved, and the sh ip-builder found himself in
a cul de sac set by his political enemies. He
did the only thing left for him to do, and put
his business in the hands Of trustees for the
benefit Of his creditors. This is the first
instance that the government has gone on the
highway to garrote American industries.
But now that it has been so signally success
flll in this, it is reasonable to presume that it
will push its advantage and 'flatten" others,
as the Democratic press, with charming in
genuousness, denominates such achievements.
In this instance but $500 woIkmen are
turned away from employment. This can be
improved on, and doubtless will be, as the
administration becomes more familiar with
the profession of highwayman.
Whatever credit there may be in this con-
temptble not tosay infamous business, is due
the Democratic party. TO the unceasng vigi-
lance and austere honesty of Secretary Whit
e &c
the largest ship-yard west of the Atlantic.
Mr.. Roach's attorneys state that with all his
many contracts of magnitude, involving mill
ions, he has never been made party to law
suit. In other words, they seek to show that
he has always so fulfilled every contract as to
render perfect satisfaction. 1t remained for
Mr.. Whitney and Mr.. Garland to make the
first assault upon his business integrity; and,
being backed by the government, they were
in position to enforce their objections. After
the Secretary was foiled in the attempt to
prove the vessel unworthy, he conveniently
fell back Oh his Attorney general who, with
genuine Democratic accommodation, gave it
as his opinion that Mr. Roach chad no con-
tract with the government" and, further
more that che had not complied with the
terms of that contract" This very contradc
tion absurd as it is is found in Mr.. Garland's
opinion.
1t is hard to patiently talk about this out
rageous business this Infamous attack upon
an honest man in the name of reform. The
hvpocritical plea put forth will deceive no one
not willing to be deceived. Mugwunp and
Democrat may view it with complacency, but
the men interested in American enterprises,
| and unwilling to see a man ridden down SIM
ply to furnish party capital, must regard this
| procedure and its outcome with impotence
and alarm. Tie Same hostility turned upon
any other industry would be equally fatal
| This attitude of the Democratic party toward
| the industrial interests of the country, is
largely responsible for the prevailing dullness
of the times. In former years it injured bus
mess by threatening legislation hostile to it.
Now it is in position to do even greater harm,
and proceeds at once to do it. And the great
shame of this infamy is the fact that it is per-
petrated in the name of reform, as outrageous
perversicn of truth as is possible. The Dem
ocratic party has downed Mr. Roach, closed
his ship-yard and scattered his men. Let it
make the most of it,
THE awful discovery has been made by the
New York Democracy that Hans S. Beatte,