South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-03-07
THE CASE OF JAMES p GOODRICH.

IHE CASE Or JAMES + OOOONl~Il
on the day of his inauguration as governor some
body remarked of James Putnam Goodrich that he
looked like the Duke wellington for psychological
effect perhaps hoping 4 would gain sufficient
currency to give him sort of Irresistible
power evidently didn't take. The Duke" hasn't
defeated anyone Waterloo yet but on the other
hand the has been nearly his from the
standpoint of the little corporal.
Untred in place of large responsibility prior to
the day of his inauguration, Gov Goodrich rated
a political general ability. That his own
rating Of mis- ability this line not less than the
public estimate there any doubt At the
end of the legislative session if his sefconhdence has
tumbled rapidly the public has lost faith in his
ability to accomplish things manage public affairs,
then that seIf-conhdence surely has taken awful
drop.
AS governor he what he wanted,
trying to copy the Hany methods. He made no head
way He slid backwards. sought the cooperation
his party force through unprecedented
program. was charged that he violated all prom
ises to interests during the campaign.
In any event got consolation in his appeal for
party aid denounced his political associates for
deserving him. Then he called the democratic mem
bers in a time holding threats TO veto their
personal measures unless they supported him.
With all this when the final day of the session
the turned into slaughter house for
the Goodrich measures they made their tardy
excise The republican platform and all the Good
rich campaign thunder founded upon the charge
that democrats had been criminaly extrayagant and
republicans under Goodrich were going save
"A million two each year. The democrats had removed
the necessity sinking levy about $500.
GOO year when they paid the republican made state
debt of over SS,OOO,O0o The democrats had accumu-
lated balance of s5.69s,as2 in cash which turned
TO Gov Goodrich the day of his inauguration
democrats believed he could materially reduce
the levy just as he said he would
Instead of economy ne advocated extravaganza on a
scale that nothing short Of excise would provide
The many republican senators refused
provide him his fund Of than 100000
year an indirect the people. For his
argument for the bill the told the senate
committee public utilities
cerned the public service commission would recognize
this the making or rates charged the public.
the matter OF other corporations than public utilities
the same rule OF charging the people would prevail
So all the Goodrich measures failed and the public is
better of than if they had passed Whatever of
good they may have contained be far better when
considered their merits future session, when
the chief object passing them Will be the provd
ing power money for the construction Of per-
sonaI political machine. The record the SEVENTEEN
ambitions Of James F. Goodrich to build a personal
machine the expense OF the people Of Indiana.
While the credit for the defeat of this ambition must
the splendid organization, it
that republicans in the body gave large support
opposition. Many republicans refused
be led 10 the doing things they right
walking with their heads in the party halter
Political opponents will eriticse the democrats for