The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-08-26
this campaign thar, the revolutionary war
or the discovery of Africa.
A ~Non.Partfsan View.

A Non.Partisan View.
Indianapolis Sun tNeutraI.J
In another column is published the reply
of the Democratic city committee to the
Republican challenge proposing q joint de-
bate on the issues of the city campaign.
In spite of Chairman Tsggart's repeated
assertions to the Sum that the challenge
would be accepted and the ebate take
place, the reply is q plain refusal to accept
the challenge. 1t is more than this-it is q
~cowsrdly refusal Many of the statements
1T contains are manufactured out Of whole
cloth,fand are deliberately designed to mis-
lead and confuse the voters. The idea of
Mr. Taggnrt and his committee Is to bring
about q comparison of the administrations
OF Mayors Denny and Sullivan. Admitting.
for the sake of argument, that every charge
made by the Democrats is true. what has
1t 10 do with tho present city campaign
Not . thing. In the first place; Nh. Denny
10 not . candidate on the Republican ticket.
Mr.. Herod is the candidate. and be is ON
untried man. He stands well in the COM
munity, however. and it Is not in evidence
that ne Is IN any way beholden to those
who were part and parcel of Mayor Denny's
administration. But this IS not the main
point, by any means. Since Mr.. Sullivan's
advent into Office the whole system of
municipal administration has been
changed. BE has, aslde from this, had the
benefit of wise legislative. action in the
way OF making street and alley improve
ments. Under the Barrett law Mr.. Denny
had little opportunity to work. Under the
new charter he never served. Mr.. Sullivan
has made . record under both; they are the
laws now and for the future, n
it is manifest that to make COM
parison would be impossible as well as
unjust and unfair. Hence the proposition
OF the Democratic committee is most de-
cided!y, improper. and the Republicans
would be foolish to accept it. It is but a
mere eubterfuge, o weak dodge, a hole
bored through which Mr.. Taggart seeks to
pull his party. This is . perfectly nom
partisan view Of the matter.
Ofcourse, Mr.. Taggart gives voice again
to the silly chestnut that there are no
issues IN this campaign. If this be true.
will he please explain why he is urging the
reelection Of Mayor Sullivan. Why have
IN election at allf
The fact is there is but one question to be
considered in this canvass. and that is the
action of the Sullivan administration I'M
der the new charter. Has that administra-
ton observed that lawf Hav its depart
ments been conducted according to that
law2 Have its police and fire forces been
wrested from politics, or are they still mere
political machinest The Democratic Off
cials say that they have observed the law.
The Republicans assert that their oppo-
nents have not observed tho law. Thus an
issue is made. and it is q fair one. 1t
should be debated before the people of the
new city under the new charter. What oc-
CURED under Mayor Denny's administra-
ton has no more to do with the matter
than the acts of Gavin. Mitchell, Grubbs,
Macauley and other Mayors OF long ago.
Conditions a changed, the law has
changed. What occurred before the new
charter was passed can have no bearing on
what may occur during the present or
future.