The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-12-10
TALK WATSON
Oh GOODRICH
PRESIDE 7
TIMES BUREAU
at STATE CAPITAL.

INDIANAPOLIS. Dec 10-Indiana
politics just now appears TO center
around two things. the talk Of Senator
James E. watson and Governor James
+. Goodrich as probable candidates for
the republican nomination for president
in 1920. and the fact that the Indiana
democratic state machine got its death
blow from President Wilson. Saturday.
when he refused to grant pardon TO
Samuel " Perrott. former chief Of po-
lice Of indianapolis, who was convicted
some time ago OF violation OF the cleo
lion laws.
Perrott was one OF the leaders Of the
democratic outnt that ran not only In
dianapolis politics but Indiana demo-
cratic politics for years. and it was an
outfit that ran things with a high hand.
The Dom Roberts gang at Terre Haute
was a part of the same system. and
practically all of the workers in that
gang went to prison couple Of years
ago for offenses similar to those of
which Perrott was convicted. Along
with Perrott. the Indianapolis inspector
of weights and measures was convict
ed and is now in the Atlanta federal
prison Three officers Of the lndianap-
oils police force who helped Perrott and
{
ing sentences in the Marion county jail.
But when Perrott was convicted a
fierce tight was started by a number Of
his political friends here 20 save him
from going to prison to serve the four
years OF his sentence They made
number of trips TO washington to get a
pordon for him. on the ground that his
health would not pcrmit his imprson-
ment Perrott has been in n hospital
three times since he was indicted. and
he IS there now. But the showing in
regard to the condition OF his health
was not sufficient TO convince the at
torney general and the president al
Washington that he was as bad off
had been represented. The president
granted a respite 70 Perrott three diff
ferent times in order 10 have time in
which to Investigate the case. and the
last respite will expire Tuesday. Dec.
II. and according 70 the present plan he
must start for the Atlanta prison on
that day.
Mayor Bell remains - he tried on
charges similar 70 those on which Fer
rott VAS convicted in the federal court.
Bells trial has not yet been set. but Il
il said that il will he held within
short time Bell and Perrott have long
been political and personal friends and
Bell appointed Perrott chief OF police
indianapolis was under a police reign Of
terror while Perrott was chief of the de-
pa rtment.
Dom Roberts. Perrott and the others
convicted with them have been effect
lively eliminated from politics in this
state. and il is generally agreed that
regar dloss Of the outcome Of his trial in
the federal court Mayor Sell is effect
lively eliminated from democratic lead
ership. Just who VIII come to the
front to replace the Bell Perrott OUTFIT
4 as leaders remains 10 be seen, but It is
/ generally accepted that they cannot re-
main in the front ranks of the party
management.
\ 1t l. doubtful 10 stronger political
/ pressure ever was brought to bear in
/ any case than has been used in the e.
/ fort "a induce the president to grant
I pardon 10 Perrott. Prominent demo-
! cratic leaders who always have been
+ friendly 10 the machine used every pos
/ sible ounce of their influence to save
/ Perrott. but they failed. and they. too.
probably viii become back numbers in
party mana cement.
1 There has arisen in Indiana q healthy
I
( nation for president, and another boom
equally healthy and robust. for Gov
nor Goodrich for that honor. Watson
has been making speeches in the state
recently and ii is said that he Will soon
make speech in congress that viii set
forth his platform for the campaign for
4 the nomination. provided the war is
over before 1920. II the war Is not over
by thar time IL is regarded doubtful
/ If watson will try for tho nomination
/ but will leave it to some other man.
4 watson's boom for president has the
support OF protective tariff advocates
IN the east who insist that the pro-
tectivs tariff policy viii be required af
4 ter the war in the REIMBURSEMENT 81 the
war debt by future generattons-at
least their proporiionate share Of IT,
watson il regarded as the leading ex
ponent in this country Of the high tariff
theory and II is on this issue that his
supporters insist that he could make a
whirlwind campaign.
good deal u quiet boosting has been
done by friends of Governor Goodrich
! in favor OF him as the right man TO
choose for the nomination for president
in 1920 They refer to him as a great
war governor who has taken The lead in
all activities relating to the war and
al