The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-09-02
THE REVIVAL OF COYISM.

The manner of Sim Coy's reappear-
ance in city politics challenges attention
no less than the event itself. The inter-
ests of public decency and public morals
require that it should be spoken of in
plain terms. Taken in connection with
other facts, it reveals a state of affairs
which honest men will do we'll to take
notice of.
When Coy was convicted and SEN
fenced for a crime of which he was un-
d~oubtedly guilty the community might
fairly have concluded it was rid of him
in politics. The conviction itself should
have worked his removal from the
Council, and among men of common
honesty or self-respect there would have
been no question on that score. But
there was a question. and whena motion
was made to dismiss him, every Demo-
cratic member voted against it. This
prevented the requisite twO-thirds ma
jority, and during his entire imprison-
ment he continued to hold his seat and
draw his pay as councilman from the
Eighteenth ward. The community sub
mitted to this disgrace because it had no
remedy. When Coy returned from Mich
igan City his followers made some show
ofionizing him, but he mOdestly declined
a public reception, preferring to make
his public temperance in his own way.
In subsequent interviews he gave the
impression that he was out of politics
and would devote himself hereafter to
private business. Had he done so, and
conducted his private business in such a
way as not to bring him before the pub
lie, he might at least have avoided
openly offending public decency. But it
seems he had no idea of doing so. He
has been Gin politics" all the time, and
has embraced the first opportunity of
making his temperance in the most
dramatic and conspicuous way as a Dem
ocratic manager and leader. The man.
ner of his denomination for the Council
shows that he and his friends were de-
termined on his ~"vindication," and his
speech accepting the nomination shows
he had no idea of retiring from
politics. "Now that l am back,
and your leader again." he said,
81 promise you my best efforts, and if
o will stand by me as before, 1
promise you that when the smoke of
the battle rolls away, we shall again be
found triumphant" So it seems that,
not content with holding a seat in the
Council during the entire period of his
imprisonment, he and his followers are
determined that he shall continue in
place and power. His influence is shown
not merely in his own nomination, but in
that of several of his henchmen in other
wards and by the exultation of his
friends over his temperance in local
politics.
As a revelation of political influences
of the worst possible character the event
is calculated to set men thinking. Moth
ing like it has occurred in any other
city. We think it can be safely assert
ed that the history of municipal govern
ment in the United States furnishes no
| parallel to it. Never before has the
moral of any community been so
insulted, outraged and defied as by this
deliberate attempt Of an e%x-cOnvict to
force himself into a position of political
leadership and an Office of honor and
trust. And the manner in which his
followers in all the wards have rallied
to his support shows the people what
they have got to fight.