South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-03-19


INDIANAPOLIS. March 1s.-The
coming biz political event in Indi-
ana-the constitutional coU-ention
certainly is casting its shadow
before with "A vengeance.
All over indiana public forums,
in which debates on questions that
will arise at the constitutional con-
vention are scheduled are being ar
ranged for and the names Of the
greatest HOLSTERS Of the present
generate already are being men
toned in the metropolitan and To-
cal press as exemplifying the types
OF men that should have seats in
this convention The names Of such
men as Charles Warren Fairbanks,
Albert ]. Beveridge. Meredith Mich
olson. Booth Harrington, George
AIDE. Samuel NJ. RalstOn, Winfield
r. Durbin and j. Frank Hanly,
some Of whom are former govern
ors. and many others are being con-
sidered already.
Women influential.
The women OF the state, ready
70 cast their first votes in Indiana
for delegates 10 the constitutional
convention next September. will
WELD a mighty influence in the sit
uatiOn. Already their leaders are
cautioning them against attempting
20 send women delegates 20 the
convention and are urging them TO
agree on men Of broad viewpoint
for the places in the convention.
These leaders-and they represent
women from such organizations as
the Woman's Franchise League of
Indiana, the Local Council of Won
en-. the Woman's Federated Clubs
and the ". q. T. U.-are also urg-
ing upon the women in local COM
munities throughout the state, as
well as i'm the larger cities, that in
their selection of the candidates for
delegates that they desire TO sup
port they do not allow their desire
for such constitutional provisions as
constitutional woman suffrage ana
state wide prohibition oyershadow
an other requisites of candidates.
In some local communities women
OF more or less short-sighted vision
are cOntending that women dele
gates should sit in the convention,
regardless Of the fact that Indiana
women are totally uninitiated in
public office responsibilities. To
this class OF women voters. the big
leaders In the state-whO will swing
the majority of the votes of the
women. IL is believed, when the
time comes-are making answer
that much more depends on this
constitutional convention in Indiana
than the questions either of woman
suffrage or statewide prohibition.
Broad Minded Delegates.
Among these women the desire is
growing for the election OF dele
gates 20 the convention, which con
venes here next January, that will
consider every field Of Indiana's
needs and whose vision will not be
warped by a bias on such particu-
TAR problems as women suffrage or
prohibitiOn-just now the dominant
questions that would confront a
convention, where it TO convene to-
day
Labor problems. civic problems.
municipal government problems.
taxation problems. state expendi-
lures problems. the elimination Of
certain offices from politics forever,
state hygiene progress and the
growing Institutional problems of
the state are grave questions, which
viii have TO be settled along with
other fundamental problems Of
commonwealth government and il is
being urged here that the voters OF
the state be so educated as TO the
particular needs and equipment OF
constitutional convention delegates
that none are sent with narrow
visions
The Citizens League OF Indiana.
which has been active in the fore
front OF the Sight for a constitution
al convention already is at work or
Eanizing public forums in the little
cross roads villages and towns Of
the state. as well as in the more
populous places and much good, it
is expected. will come from these
discussions OF constitutional ques-
tiOns
Expect Two Elements.
To now is the general opinion
here that two great elements will
appear i'm the convention-the liber-
ais and the couservatives-and that
the hght for reforms will be sub
jected 20 the crucible of the war
between these two elements of the
citizenship. The law. under which