The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-10-30

Democrats majority IN the State Senate aso
prevented any reform In the affairs OF the be-
nevolent institutions OF the State The Repub-
lican party, in its .plstfcrm In thar
campaign, declared, 90 IL does In this, in favor
of the reformation Of the abuses which disgrace
our State, while the Democrats party ignored
people were advised Of the manner IN which
these public charities are admsnistered, espe-
cally the Hospital for the Insane. It Was
shown, with such an explicit array OF facts a. 20
convince any person disposed to be honest with
himself, that this great institution 10 conducted
ineficiontly. dishonesty and inhumaniy. aud
that the welfare of the helpless patients is sac
rihced to selfish greed. While this condition
was being discussed throuehors the State two
interroeatories we're sent to toe candidates for
the Legislature, asking them II they were IN
favor Of placing the public institutions OF the
State under the control of non-partisan boards.
aud IL they we're in favor Of extending the
principles Of the national civil service law 20 the
benevolent and penal institutions OF the
State, and 10 other branches OF the State civil
service whec practicable.
For the purpose of sending these interrogato-
ries, applications were made 70 the party man
ayers for the addresses OF their candidates for
the Legislators. The Democratic managers
positively refused TO furnish such information.
and warned their candidates not to answer, aud
among the great number of Affirmative
responses received. there not
answer from Democratic candidate, though
the questions were sent to all Of them whose
addresses could DO obtained.
Before the meeting of the Legislature bill
Was prepared containing provisions necessary 70
remedy this evil, and 90 well adapted 20 its OBJ
iect that Eastern paper printed the entire
bill for the expressed purpose OF furnishing
model TO other States. I. was introduced In the
House by Fl, }. John l.. Grifiths. and wss ably
supported by him anc other Republicans 10 that
branch of the Legislature. Efforts were
early commenced to find Demo-
Graf to introduce &c in the Senate.
49, Al.
had been accomplished. Some weeks before the
opening Of the session one Democratic Senator
from the northern part Of the State was found
who promised that he would INTRODUCES the bill
The Democrats, having failed 20 secure the
election OF their candidate for Lieuiensnteov-
ernor, commenced the session with sn act or
revolution in excluding the duly elected Lien
teaant-eovernor from the performance of the
functions Of his ofice This was a part OK q con-
spiracy to defeat, by force and fraud, the return
Of General Harrison 10 the Unitsc States Ssn-
ate.
The conspiracy was successful, and IL yet re-
mains 70 be seen wtsther the people VIII reward
or punish the conspirstors
A partisan corteution was thus inaugpretod
which continued throughout the session. The
Democratic Senator who, Ia private conversa-
tion, hsc promised TO introduce the reform bill,
declined to do so assigning this political confess
az the reason for his refusal, and though often
solicited during the session, he coulo not be in-
duced 10 champ pion q measure so distasteful 10
his political associated
Diligent exertion was made to ind
another Democrats Senator 20 take the
bill. Que Of the most prominent
leaders on that side. having been approached for
this purpose. was reported as looking upon the
question about like Dan Voorhees,, who now
manifesto so much solietude for the election or
. Democratic Legislature. especially Demo
cratic Senate Among those who Interested
themselves 10 this search was an educated deaf
mute, who, having qualified himself TO teach,
and being native OF Indiana, desired the op-
portunity OF competing upon bis merits Tor
position in our Stste institution for the deaf
and dumb. He fondly hoped that because his
father. though . Republican, had voted for q
Democratic Senator, be might induce that Sen
ator to support this measure. His mission %
that Senator was fruitlees don't know what
be and his father think OF the giving
of Republican votes for Democratic members OF
the legislature have not seen him since.
A leading Republican Senator earnestly re-
quested a copy of the bni for The purpose of In
Producing it. His application was refused, upon
the ground that there could be no hope for the
passage Of the measure 10 the Senate unless 10
were introduced by Democrat
In the effort TO secure such support. copies OF
tho bill we're sent TO Mr. Edgerton, member
from Indiana OF the National Civii-servics Com
mission. who at that time was supposed
by some TO be in favor OF cvil-servics
reform. he was written to. and was old how
many Democratic votes wore needed 70 securs
the passage Of the bill IN the Senate, and he was
requested to use his influence with his Demo
cratic friends in behalf of the bill He made
no response whatever. The bill Was not intro
duced in the Senate, because the prolong ged
search for Democratic support was wholly fruit
less
In the House Of Representative, where there
was q Republican majority, the members Of
that party kept their promise, and passed the
bill by vote Of 6fty FIVE yeas against thirty three
nays, only one Republican voting against IL.
while only two Democrats, one of whom, in
deed, was representative OF the Labor party,
voted for 10.
The Democratic opposition was not merely
negative. A scandalous attempt was made uot
Only to hide the wrongs and Injuries OF the State
and its afflicted wards, but also. by q white.
washing investigation, TO present the incompe-
tent cruel and corrupt managers TO the peopls
as worthy OF confidence aud support The
services OF legal gentlemen who assisted these
officials in taeir personal defense before the
House committee and who aided the senatorial
conspiracy to give them uneeserved indorse-
,t, have since been paid for, uniawfulr and
ptitiously out Of tas funds Of the hospital
whitewash, though thiekly ap-
D., l. could not conceal tie rottenness
which it covered. The people still see IL plainly.
The matter has passed beyond the realm of dis
pute. Denial has ceased to be possible and has
given way 10 the coarse question of triumphant
scoundrelism: what are you going to do
apout i'll" This il the chosen aud natural ett-
tude of the leaders and managers who are con-
ductipg this campaign from the foul swamp OF
personal detraction aud scsndalous falsshood.
Nc voter who is not willing TO condone the
greatest of wrongs when perpetrsted by hls
| own party can ignore the situation. IL 10 per-
| fectly manifest that no hope OF relief
| from this condition be based
| upon Democratic success lt is clearly
evident that il these abuses are to be righted it
must be done by the Republican party, and IL 10
| quite certain that they will be corrected By
| that party II the opportunity be given IL The
| Democratic party has been thoroughly tested
| The efforts in behalf OF this cause we're not par
| tisan endeavors, but were bona fde labors for
| . righteous cause. Every possible exsrtion was
| made to secure the passage of the bill The Re-
publcans adhered TO their favorable profess ions;
| the Democrats could not be persuaded to
abandon thsir hostility With faulty
| Characteristic OF moral depravity, they have oo-
stinatsly and persstsntly chosen not
| TO lift their party to the high
| plane of noble purpose, but rather 70 sacrifice
| its honor and the good name OF our State Tor
| temporary personal advantage
My feilow-citizeps, IL it be unusual for any OK
you TO consider political questions, except from
| the standpoint of prejudice, passion or material
interest, viii venture to ask you TO place this
| question above the ordinary scope o. politics,
| and TO regard il from the standpoint OF duty.
| might we'll appeal to your pecnnIsry interest In
| the honest and intelligent application or the
money regularly paid out by you for the main
| tenance Of our public charities. In that view,
| you can not afford Democratic Legislators.
| But also arraign you at the bar OF your con-
| sciences. and bring TO testify the wronged IN
| fortunates who are the victims OF incomDetsncy
aud the prey OF partisan greed. and in the name
-G L-ss-