The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-12
MAYOR BOOKWALTER'S SPEECH
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court Of public opinion with the clean
hands demanded in the court of equity the
presiding magistrate of the court of public
opinion will rule that he has no venue
there, just like the judge on the bench will
rule that the individual with unclean hands
has no venue in the court of equity. Jap
plause.1
LIKES HIM PERSONALLY.
/ like my friend Mr.. Chambers person
ally. / would not say very many mean
things about him if I could, and / don't
believe l could say very mary about him
If L would; but when he seeks to lead you
citizens of Indianapolis along the line of
true duty to yourselves and your city, then
he, speaking as citizen, must come before
you having discharged all the obligations
OF a citizen.
Standing in Masonic Temple last Thurs
day night, lecturing you upon your duty,
denouncing me for dereliction of duty, Mr..
Chambers spoke from the standpoint and
viewpoint of a good citizen, but at the same
time folded away somewhere in his pockets
because he hadn't had time to change his
clOthes-folded away somewhere within his
pockets the tax receipt which he
cured at o'clock on the afternoon before he
made the speech, although those taxes had
been delinquent for over two years. lap
plause.1
So also come my friends of the Indian
apolis News. Before recognize it's right
to place the people OF indianapolis in leading
strings-before We will admit that we are
to be tied to its apron strings-we want to
know, have you performed your full duty
as citizen? (Applause.l Now, this is not
said harshly. lLaughter.I l am merely re-
peating facts. These estimable gentlemen,
and personally they are estimable gentlemen
Il have had very many pleasant hours with
one of them, and 1 really entertain regard
for him outside Of his office, and L think
he retains a regard for me outside of my
office [laughterl, although in view of what
he has said, that is rather violent pre-
sumption on my part-these estimable gen.
tlemen came TO Indianapolis and paid
practically a million dollars for that prop
erty, and within twelve months returned it
for taxation at less than $4,000. 1t has been
gradually raised, but is still far under
unless / am mistaken-a hundred thousand
dollars; and still with that record, contest
ing in the courts every step that is taken
to make them bear with you their full
burden, and when they bear that burden it
will tighten the load that you now carry,
resisting and fighting at every step they
have gone through the courts of the county
and the Supreme Court of the State, and
are On their dreary way to the United States
Supreme Court to escape burden which
they owe to you, in common with every
citizen of Indianapolis-a burden they deny
the right to have laid upon them by the
people whom they seek to control, lead and
advise. IApplause.l
While have made a good many political
talks in my career, considering it has been
rather brief l never have been called upon
to mention specifically particular news
paper, and l don't like TO do ii now; but
/ never believed from the time was boy
that when 1 am lighting man who car
ries a slug shot or dirk knife or a
bludgeon that L am bound to tie pillows
on my hands when meet him. IApplausel
THROWS DOWN GAUNTLET.
So tonight, recognizing the great power
of the press, realizing how much it means
for man TO be praised and how serious
for him TO be criticised. recognizing the
fact that l take my future in this COM
munity in my hands. / fearlessly say to
that newspaper that so long as 1 am the
chief executive of Indianapolis there shall
be government by the people, and not gov
eminent by the papers. IGreat applause
Now, suppose 1 go down in this fight
(cries OF 'Oh, you WON'T you WON'T
Well, suppose / go down in this ight
(cries of That's not a supposeable propo-
sition'), /, of course, am as good a loser
as / am winner. lApplause.l And / will
not be slow in recovering from the sting OF
defeat, but the people of Indianapolis,
irrespective of party. will suffer equally
with me- something other and more serious
than the sting OF political defeat And
what Is that? II this influence, not Of the
newspapers, but IL this influence of a paper
Is now to prevail over the only man In