The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-26

We, the representa- tives of the Democratic
party of Indianapolis, in convention assem-
bled, recognize that in the campaign before
us the decision of Mayor Bookwalter TO run
on his record and its acceptance by con-
vention of his followers. forces the issue be-
tween BoOkwalterism and decent govern
ment. We accept the issue.
We denounce the Bookwalter administra-
ton as incompetent and corrupt, and as
having managed our municipal affairs for
the benefit of the gamblers, crooked contrac-
tors, political grafters and ringsters, to the
detriment Of taxpayers and law-abiding Cit
liens.
We condemn the Bookwalter administra-
ton in its financial department for extrava-
gance and acknowledgment that have
caused an increase of hundreds of thousands
of dollars in the city debt and an increase
of the tax levy to the highest limit-an in.
crease without precedent in the history Of
the city, and without any resulting improve
ment in the city work.
We condemn the Bookwalter administra-
ton in its legal department for the prostitu-
ton to political purposes. reaching its eli
max in the wicked indictment, for political
effect, of men who have committed no
offense against the laws, and we warn the
people that no more dangerous assaults upon
their liberties than this can possibly be
made.
We condemn the Bookwalter administra-
ton in the Department of Public Works for
scandalous neglect of the duties, in the care
and repair of streets, imposed upon it by
law. thereby forcing needless reconstruction
of the same at the expense of the property
owners.
For holding secret meetings of the board
for the purpose of juggling with the city's
business.
For making false entries on its record.
For awarding contracts to higher instead
of lower bidders.
For letting contracts and making unlawful
allowances to favorite political allies.
For Overthrowing, by evasion and trickery,
the rights of property owners to protest
against and to control the character of i'm
provements.
For exacting of city contractors commits
sion," and in disposing of valuable fran
chises for the benefit of the Bookwalter
campaign fund.
We condemn the Bookwalter administra-
ton in its department of Public Safety for
converting the department into a political
machine, of which even the heads perform
political service openly and In express vio-
lation of the city charter, without punish
ment and without rebuke.
For the protection of favored criminal
classes by the acceptance of straw bail.
For the failure TO collect fines and penal
ties for which judgments had been rendered.
For catering to the worse elements by a
wanton neglect to enforce the laws, thus en-
couraging vice and crime.
For having sanctioned the grossest vio-
latiOn of the liquor laws.
For allowing the establishment of dives,
winerooms and gambling dens in connection
with saloons, until the situa ton has become
a public scandal
For fixing" juries and attempting to con-
troll courts for the protection of lawbreakers
who had contributed to the Brookwalter
campaign fund.
We condemn the Bookwalter adminstra-
ton in its department of health for ineffi-
cheney. neglect and mismanagement, that