The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-03
RED-HOT
Invectfve and Personalities Figure
Largely ut LapOrte.

Special TO the indianapolis Journal.
LAPORTE. Ind, May 2.-Never before
has Laporte witnessed such a hot campaign
as the one which is now drawing to a close.
For the past two weeks politics has been
the one engaging topic, the two local dali
lies publishing little else than matter per-
tanning to the campaign. The issue became
outlined early in the campaign. and, al
though efforts to divert the people from
facts have been made by the Democrats,
the fight is still between the Darrowites.
or those who uphold the present admins
%tratiOn. and the anti-D arrowites, which in
clude the Republicans and all those who
are opposed to the methods of the adj
ministration and who seek a change in
municipal affairs.
Charges of corruption have been openly
made by the Republicans against the pres
ent officials in connection with a 1926, 900
Water-Works deal and pavement and ce-
ment-sidewalk contracts agsregating $780,
90. The Republicans, who have placed an
excellent ticket in the field, are making the
fight along the line that the present adj
ministratiOn, headed by Mayor barrow, who
seeks reelection, has been guilty of bun
ghng, acknowledgement and extravaganza,
the city being now involved in two suits
winch, before they are ended, will be very
expensive. One of these, which grew out
OF the water-works matter, was this week
nled in the Supreme Court at indianapolis.
The Republicans are also making the point
that the administration has been exceed
ingly slack in the enforcement of the laws
and has shown great favoritism. For years
there has been a clash between Mayor
barrow and the police department., headed
by Marshal Bongerz, also a Democrat, who
also seeks "A reelection. Personalities are
being ndulged in freely by both Sides, but
In this the Republicans are having the
best of the arguments, for. as a whole.
their candidates are men without political
records.
On Tuesday work was commenced in this
city on the construction OF the Chicago &
south Shore Electric Railway, and as
Mayor barrow is one Of the promoters of
the project II is freely charged that the
activities now under way are a bluff" for
campaign purposes and tina as soon as
election is over work will be abandoned.
The company is not known to have any
packers OF means to construct a line that
will cost $3.50. 0O0.
The aggressive stand taken by the Re
publicans in declaring for a business ad-
miDistratiOn and the making OF improve
ments only where and when needed has
placed the Democrats or DarrOwites on
the defensive and kept them busy making
explanations OF the actions Of the mayor
and the Council during the past four years.
The Republicans are showing that the city
Indebtedness is now beyond the ccnstitu-
tfonal limitation. and that an increase OF
taxes will be necessary in the fall. We I'd
meetings are being held every night by
both parties. at which speakers explain
the municipal problems 10 the voters, while
band music also enters largely upon the
campaign-for the first time in the his
tory OF municipal campaigns in this city.
The Democrats concede the election OF sew
eral candidates on the Republican ticket,
while the Republicans are confident that
they will not only elect the entire city