The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-18
He Applauds the Attitude Of the Jour-
nal and Points to It's Consistent At
titude on Law Enforcement.
FATHER GAvIsK's OPINION
RECTOR OF ST. JOHNS BELIEVES
ADMINISTRATION SHOULD ACT.
Thomas c. Day Says Laxity of Admin
istration VIII BE Brought to At
tentiOn of Citizens League.

Ministers, members of the Citizens
League and Independent voters who voted
for John w. Hoffman for mayor in the in
terest Of reform, taking the pledges of the
candidate and his followers at face value,
are disappointed at the failure of the ad-
ministration to redeem its pledges. These
gentlemen, who had the welfare of the city
at heart in throwing their influence for
the present city executive are genuinely
displeased because their well-meant efforts
have been brought to naught. That viola
tions of the Sunday laws, gambling and
other forms of vice are notoriously preya-
lent despite the fact that the machinery
of the law has been at the disposal of Mr..
Hoffman for over a month is recognized
by them, and several have unhesitatlngly
expressed their disapproval of the course
OF the administration to the Journal
The Rev. Joshua Stansfield. pastor of
the Meridan-street M. E. Church and men,
ber of the Citizens League, alludes to 1.-The
glaring and shameful continuance of these
things" meaning gambling. winerooms and
other forms of viciousness.
Mr.. 7. c. Day, of the executive commit
tee of the Citizens League, expresses dis
appointment at the failure of the admin
istration to keep its promises and declares
that these matters shall be brought to the
attention of the Citizens League at it's next
meeting.
The Rev. Francis II. Gavisk, of ST
Johns Church, member of the executive
committee of the Citizens League. believes
that the administration has not done what
was expected of it by good citizens.
William Fortune, member of the exec
utive committee of the Citizens League,
speaking as citizen. deplores the exist
ence of the evils which he and his asso-
ciates are seeking to exterminate.
THE JOURNAL APPLAUDED.
They applaud the attitude of the Journal
and it's vigilance in detecting and exposing
gambling and other law violations when
the tendency elsewhere is to close the ears
and hold the tongue in the face of open
lawlessness, and particularly the consist
ency of the Journal in attacking lawless-
ness wherever found.
Asked for an expression concerning the
known existence of gambling, Jack
Shea's recent grand opening" and viola
tons of the Sunday and liquor laws, Mr.
Stansfield said: 81 feel quite certain that
the law-loving and law-abidng citizens who
have shown their purpose and their
in a new administration upon distinct and
repeated assurances that laws would be
enforced, gambling suppressed and wine
rooms and saloons closed will be in no mood
to tolerate in silence the condition of things
exposed by the Journal this morning and
on several occasions within the past few
weeks.
What gave weight to the persistent ac-
cusations of law violation under the Book
walter administration was the fact that
places, persons, gambling houses, saloons,
ETC. were given by name and number in
Journal in the interest of fair and hon.
est administration, is giving like facts in
like manner will, we believe. arouse the
people of this city to just and vigorous
demand that election pledges in a cam
paign for reform shall be more fully and
earnestly carried out.
II believe that thousands of citizens, as
well as myself, are thoroughly appreciative
of any efforts our mayor and police depart
ment may make, and it is. 1 think. because
We want to give every opportunity to get
machinery in order to do the work effectu-
ally that so little has been said about the
glaring and shameful continuance Of these
things. L am perfectly satisfied that the
citizenship of Indianapolis will demand Of
its new administration more vigorous car
rying out of its ante-election pledges than
has yet been indicated.
APPROVES ITS COURSE.
II feel sure that these persistent reports
people, because under the last administra-
tion the Journal steadily maintained that
law could be enforced by the administration
within a day at any time. L want to ex-
press my approval of the attitude taken by
the Journal, and also my appreciation of
the fact that the Journal has always been
consistent in its standpoint upon questions
affecting the moral welfare Of the commu-
nifty.
II would like to call the special attention
of the administration to editorial in the
Journal which appeared in a paper of re-
cent date. 1t is as follows:
% During the campaign Mr.. Holtzman fire.
quently quoted the statement of the Jour-
nal that law violation by liquor sellers
could be stopped by the administration
within a day at any time. and promised
! that If he were elected the word should
be given that would put end TO the wine
rooms, dives and illegal liquor selling.
| While Mr.. Bookwalter was mayor the Jour
| nal declared that all that was needed was
an earnest effort to enforce the law and IL
/ could be enforced The same is true now.
/ stand that the administration is In earnest
and would put them out of business-which
/ ii has ample power to do-whenever they
/ were caught violating the law, there would
be observance of the law. Few, il any
| liquor dealers would dare jeopardize their
| privilege of doing business by conducting
a wineroom. by selling on Sunday or by
/ operating a bawdy house attachment And
/ the few that did dare could readily be
handled by the police. IL there was no ex-
cuse for laxity under Mr. BookwaIter how
much less is there under Mr. Hoffman,
whose election was due TO his specific and
oft-repeated promises TO enforce the law? -
T. c. DAYS STATEMENT.
Thomas c. Day has the following to
say: II applaud the stand taken by the
Journal. i have no doubt that its informa-
ton is accurate for the most part and ]
| do not believe the citizens who labored for