The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-21
THE REFORMATORY BILL.


To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
One of the acknowledged safeguards of
our republic is the freedom of speech
the freedom of the press. No influence is
more potent in directing, controlling. check
ing, or promoting any movement. With
great power. great opportunity. is espe-
cially associated great responsibility.
Society would not deprive the press Of
this power for veal (or woe as is some
times the case). but would only suggest
that those to whom such powers are dele
gated should consider carefully before
spreading broadcast before the public in
the name of reform any statement or allie
cation which may do irreparable wrong to
someone, and infiict wounds upon innocent
though sensitive victims.
1 refer particularly to the manner in
which some of our newspapers are walking
over his excellency Governor Durbin with
nails in their boots, charging that he in
spires the so-called ripper bill introduced
by Senator Goodwine, assuming at the
same time that it is a bad bill, fraught
with danger to the well-being of our
State institutions. Assuming further, that
there Is nothing wrong in the management
of the Jeffersonville Reformatory, and has
not been. 1t may be claimed that an ex-
haustive investigation was made two years
ago Dy the GeHerdl Assembly Oh the COLI
| dition of affairs at the Jeffersonville Re-
| formatOry: that the report of the COM
mittee eXonerated the management of all
blame; that everything was lovely and the
| goose occupied an exalted position. If
! remember correctly, 1t was charged at the
| time by the Democratic press that that
report bore unmistakable evidence of a
| large quantity of lime and water thor
| oughly mixed and applied with a brush
The lapse Of time seems to give color to
their charge. 1t may be that some Demo
| cratic members of that committee might
| throw some light on the subject.
beg to refer TO the record that Governor
Durbin has made during the two years of
| his incumbency in Office. His method OF
procedure has been such that he has &C.
CURED the appellation of business Gov
ernor.' that is, he has applied business
| principles to official duties, the same prin-
| ciples to which may be attributed his emf
| nent success as a business man in private
| life. In both cases it has worked well
| There has never been failure In any OF
his efforts to subserve the best interests
| idly Cancelled. Our Governor has won the
confidence of the people. No Governor we
have ever had has looked more. carefully
purpose seeming to be to do that which will
| be best for the public welfare. 1t is fail
| to assume under the circumstances that he
may be III possession Of facts not known
| to the newspapers that criticise him 81
| severely. If there any withdrawing
two years ago let it be uncovered now
Let no guilty man escape" is Republican
| doctrine.
I very much doubt that indiscriminat,
criticism of public officials is productiv,
| of good. Certainly public interest car
be subserved by bringing our public serv
ants into disrepute by heaping ridicul,
upon them. If anything is wrong, uncove
| IL. The man with newspaper has thu
advantage. 1t is very unwise to becom,
involved in a controversy with a news
| paper.
Governor Durbin has no choice but I,
smart under the lashings of the publi
press. He cannot afford to take officia
notice of public criticism. 1t is not fai
that he SHOULD be charged with being tn
instigator of any measure pending befor
the General Assembly. If the chief execu
tive Is TO be held in large measure respon
sible for the conduct of the different publ
institutions of the State il is certainly un
fair TO deny him the right of exercising
free hand" / do not subscribe to tn
doctrine, "Once in grace always in grace
Frequent overhauling of our public insti
tutions Will prevent many abuses that ar
liable TO spring up under the security o
long tenure. L submit that the evidenc
does not warrant the charge that Governo
Durbin is back Of the ripper bill; but if h
were he would not be transcending hi
prerogative as the chief guardian of tn
States welfare. THOS. j. LINDLEY.
| Fundamentals Ia