The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-26

men who. while laboring quietly against
the measure and using every endeavor 20
have II killed In the House. do not find 1t
advisable TO have themselves quoted in the
newspapers as actively opposing it. There
are many men In indianapolis representing
i'm marked degree conservative public
opinion who declare that the bill contem-
plates an outrage; but In many Instances
II happens that these very men are active
hesitate 10 say that the Governor might
ly interested in important legislation. They
fear that should they express in the pub
lie prints their condemnation of the bill
The administration forces would turn
against the bills they themselves are IN
terested In Some who have talked ABOUT
the matter go a little farther and do not
veto bills IL they were TO be put on record
as nghting measure which IL is known ne
Is intensely In favor OF having passed
Most of these men. while refusing TO be
interviewed, are not wasting their time,
however, and they are doing yeoman work
TO stliie the reformatory measure.
One OF the most important citizens OF In
diana who has appeared as candidate Tor
a high office said yesterday: While l be-
lieve that the bill is vicious. yet / do not
think 1t would be wise for me to go on
record publicly against il. 1t happens there
are other bills in which / am vitality inter-
ested, bills for the public good which SHOULD
these bills might be Jeopardized should
give an interview on this subject"
ATTITUDE OF MINISTER'S.
IT is asserted positively that there Is
not a pastor of an Indianapolis church that
favors turning out the board of mana
gers Of the Indiana Reformatory without
first giving them hearing on the charges
alleged against them. Ministers of Episco-
pal. Methodist, Presbyterian, and Bap-
list churches, when approached on the
subject. say in practically the same words,
Yes, we are firmly opposed to the bill
and believe that the progress made by the
State in caring for its institutions should
not be Jeopardized even to crafty the Gov
errors sense of injury; but we are minis
tiers OF the gospel and il would be in bad
taste for US to espouse one cause or the
other In the newspapers" On the other
hand. these ministers, in converSing with
leading and influential members of their
congregations, do not hesitate TO say that
the bill is bad and should be killed. At
least one prominent divine asked potent
member OF his church to work actively
against the bill.
Father Francis H. Gavisk. of ST. Johns
Catholic Church, Is one who has no re
ment that he believes the bill bad from
start to finish. Father Gavisks attitude
has assisted in molding public opinion in
some quarters of the city.
Still another feature OF the complex sit
uation Is that there are many men who,
while on terms of intimate friendship with
the Governor and the men who are TAX
ing the leadership i'm pushing the bill be-
lieve strongly that the bill should not be
passed. They do not care TO talk for pub
lication, but I'm confidential conversation
with friends whom they know may exert
an influence they say that the bill is nei-
ther fair nor just.
One OF the men, whose name would be a
power for public use against the bill. said
yesterday: There Is no question In my
mind but that public opinion almost uni
versally condemns the bill. If the men,
bers of the House are given time TO feel
that pulse they will be careful how they
vote"