South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-07-09
MLSFIAWAKA GENERAL NEWS
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state six months.
TIE speaker pointed out that
great many OF our officers should
not be entitled 10 election because
OF the use OF the present long bal
lot and the need 10 a change 20 the
short ballot Because OF the pres
ent system, he said. voters too Oft
en- won't take the time 10 go over
the long ballot 10 see who all the
candidates are, and instead will vote
a straight ticket The present term
of two years for the superintendent
OF public instruction. he contended,
should be extended 10 four years.
REV. G. W. TITUS.
'Indiana's Opportunity A New
Constitution" was the subject Of the
Rev Titus. pastor Of the First
Christian church. In part, he spoke
as follows:
In a response 10 the call of the
| governors Of the state / feel il my
| duty 10 discuss in some way this
morning this theme Of vital i'm
. portance. IL is unfortunate that the
people Of the state are not giving
/ the matter enough consideration.
and every move must be made TO
acquaint the masses Of the import
ance of the situation.
/ 1T is unnecessary for me TO say
| that we have long felt the need of
a new constitution in Indiana. Those
/ who had a part in framing the pres
I ent constitution, which was adopted
/ Sc years ago. did their work well.
However, wise as they all were. and
| excellent as is the constitution they
I framed, We must admit that il falls
| far short of meeting the needs and
demands of the commonwealth to-
! day. May I be permitted 10 give
! YOU a few outstanding reasons that I
! believe demand a new constitution?
We need a new constitution 10
conserve the splendid temperance
victory of last February when In
/ diana swung into the column OF
bone dry states of the Union. We
| thought we had scored a wonder
| full victory on that occasion, and
! so il was Yet under our present
| constitution it is a very easy mat
| ter for another legislature TO repeal
/ the prohibition law and undo all the
|
/ hing for US TO do in the state of
| Indiana now is to place the prohi-
! bition law in the constitution. This
! cannot be done to the old constitu-
! ton for the reason that no amend
| ment can be passed while there is
an amendment pending. There has
been an amendment pending in the
house for over 20 years, thus OBJ
| structing any move that may be
made on the part of the temperance
people for an amendment 10 pro-
/ hibit the liquor traffic. Thus, our
only hope lies in a new constitu-
ton with the prohi bition as one of
the fundamental planks.
Need Moral Legislators
Again we need a new constitu-
/ ton that will give us the right kind
Of moral legislation. OF course, we
elect our representatives 10 give us
( such legislation. Yet ne know how
I far from the truth this really is.
| We only need recall the corruption
1 of Terre Haute. OF course il was
a federal matter, but the state was
also involved We cannot help re-
calling the fearful condition of the
city of Muncie during the Bunch
I administration. With every evidence
against him he stands today un-
convicted because the hands of the
law are tied. We cannot forget the
/ wholesale corruption in the capital
city right under the shadow of our
legislature. Five blocks from the
statehouse may be seen the white
light district with its houses Of
shame and damnation. This is
known by our city and state. II
has been no secret 10 know that
our capital city has been a wide
open town under the famous Joe
Bell. So glazing did it become that
the secretary of war threatened to
remove the officers training camp
from the city With all this cor
ruption in the fair state Of Indiana,
we need a constitution that will give
us real moral legisIation-legislati
that will clean up conditions and
make Indiana what she ought to be
morally
I'VE need a new constitution that
will provide IN some way for the
removal Of officials VINO have pros
tituted their positions If man
goes wrong in the pulpit we do not
hesitate 10 brand him for all time.
He is removed and the stigma Of
dishonor is placed upon him. I say
il should be the same in the affairs
OF the state. When man proves
himself unworthy 10 fully represent
the will Of the people. when he uses
his office OF trust for his own sell
fish purposes. I believe he ought TO
be removed from office. Call il the
recall II you wish. but il looks 10
me like common sense.
Stands for Suffrage.
ct has become very evident that
! new constitution is needed 10 give
us equal suffrage in this state. I
want il understood that I stand
firmly for this, for I never have seen
any real reason why good women OF
the state should be denied the fran
chise. when at the same time we
vote every kind of a rascal. scoun-
drel and ifnoramus that happens TO
live in the state for six months Let
me assure you women would have
had the vote long ago had il not