The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-09-20
DENNY FOR MAYOR.

Iva "a DE DCnuJ . piCbclb Cuuule
dacy for Mayor of indianapolis is a dis
tinct recognition of his personal worth
and force of character. his fitness for the
position, his popularity and his stalwart
Republicanism. The convention which
nominated him was q strong and repre-
sentative one. The preliminary can-
vass had been spirited, and the friends
of other candidates, all good ones, had
rallied their forces. Many names had
been canvassed, and it was conceded by
all Republicans that they must put for
ward their strongest man. The dele
gates to the convention had been fairly
chosen with this understanding, and
they came together with no other pur-
pose than to do the best thing for the
party. Under these circumstances the
nomination OF Mr.. Denny on the first
ballot, by a majority which was at Office
made unanimous, was the strongest
possible Endorsement of his siren 9Th as
a candidate and an unmistakable X
preston OF the popular belief in his fit
ness for the Office.
Mr.. Denny is admirably equipped for
the Office of Mayor. having already had
an active service of eight years in
municipal affairs. From 1881 to 1856 he
was city attorney, and one of the best
the city ever had, and from 1885 to
1889 he was Mayor. When he was first
nominated for Mayor the Journal said,
editorially: "Mr. Denny is in all respects
an able. courageous, reputable man.
His life and career demonstrate the in
tegrity and force of his character and
the inherent strength of his manhood"
These words are as true now as they
were then. He was elected by a hand
some majority, and gave the city as good
an administration as it was possible for
any person to give under the old coun-
cilmanic form of government. There
were inherent defects in that form
of government against which no
Mayor could successfully contend.
but none could have done better
than Mr.. Denny did. The Re-
publicans recognized this fact and
Mr.. Denny's personal merits by renOm-
mating and re-electing him in 1887. At
that time the Journal said editorially:
"Mr. Denny's record is clear and hon-
Orable In every respect, and fairly EN-.
titles HIM to the Endorsement of a re-
election. At oil times. in all places and
under all circumstances he has we'll sus-
tanned the credit and dignity of the
city. He has discharged the duties of
the Office faithfully and met all the re-
q%uirements of the position in a manner
BETTING the executive head and official
representative of the CITY," Again we
say, those words are as true now as they
were then.
Mr.. Denny declined to be a candidate
for O third term, and was succeeded in
office by Mayor Sullivan. Six months
later the new charter came into
force and revolutionized the city
government in form and practice.
The Democratic party got the benefisof
the new form Of government, and Mr..
Denny, who was Mayor during the last
four years under the old form of govern
ment. has had, very unjustly, to bear
much of the odium attaching to that.
Il WhS bhO CACCutlNo bClo lo VA
ecutive power. He had to deal with
subordinates and chiefs of departments
who were elected by the Council, and
no way responsible to him. He had to
bear the odium of bad appointments
without being able to remedy them.
| HIS hands were tied. and his way was
blocked on every side. He had none Of
the large powers that Mayor Sullivan
possesses but does not exercise. No
body who knows Mr.. Denny doubts
that. if elected Mayor, he has the abil-
ity and the backbone To secure enforce
ment of the laws. Even the News.
which bounded him for years because of
the alleged failure of his administration
under the old form of government. now
admits that he ought to be given a trial
under the new one. The charter presup-
poses a Mayor who possesses sand"
and who is not afraid to exercise author
ity. Mayor Sullivan has shown him.
self O failure. Let us try Caleb s.. Denny.