South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-07-09
DEMOCRATS TAKE
PEOPLE, FIGHT.
State Conference Decides to
Give Voters Chance to Sc
IeCt Best Men in State.
BY Willis S. Thompson.

after consulting with a representa-
tive body of democrats from all
parts of the state, has decided 10
place a ticket in the field for dele
gates 10 the constitutional conven-
ton.
The meeting Of democrats was
called by State Chairman Charles A.
Greathouse and National Commit
teeman r. G. Hoffman for the pur-
pose of securing an expression of
opinion. Mr. Greenhouse. who pre-
sided, said that conditions were such
that il appeared necessary that some
such body as the democratic organ
| ization must take up the matter in
order 20 arouse proper interest
among the people in the Importance
Of the convention and at the same
time to see 70 il that the voters
were given an opportunity TO select
the ablest men of the state TO com
pose the convention and write the
new constitution,
People were paying too little at
| tentiOn 10 the subject. the fact that
the country is at war and the mind
of the average man and woman is
! engrossed in the Teat problems
created by this condition. made il
necessary that unusual efforts be
made 10 stir an interest That the
democratic party was in the position
Of being able 10 do real service TO
the people at a time when no one is
seeking office. That while in the
/ convention the delegates should not
sit as politicians or with any regard
TO political lines. only as they serve
the public good, unless some respon-
sible organization assumes the task
there is going to be no agency to
nominate such men as the occasion
| demands.
That the men most desired are
not seeking the chance TO go as
delegates. and that it devolves upon
some body. strong enough for the
1 task. TO induce them TO allow the
use of their names and TO convince
/ the best class Of our citizens that it
is their duty 10 make the patriotic
] sacrifice Of time and effort insuring
| the best results. That this work
| he thought the democratic party
! owed il 10 the people 10 under
/ take.
Republicans Active.
Mr.. Hoffman pointed out that
while there Is no open" movement
at present looking to the selection
of lis of the sort of men the people
want. organizations interested in
| securing the adoption of their own
pet one-idea notions into a new
basic law are very busy. He point
1 ed out especially that Gov. Good
rich is conducting a gum shoe cam
paign looking TO the control Of the
| delegates in order that he may in
graft into the constitution his ideas
OF government which the legislature
refused 10 recognize. That the gov
ernor is callins men into his Office
and asking them 20 become can
didates. guaranteeing that he will
| have an organization that will make
their election sure. Mr.. Hoffman
/ did not believe that the people OF
Indiana care . have a Goodrich
constitution. and he thought the
| democratic party was in the position
J TO serve the people in a patriotic
! and broad way in securing a peo-
pies constitution. and one that will
! serve all interests with fairness and
| equity.
The mass meeting agreed unan-
! imously that the proper thing was
TO put a straight ticket in the field.
Ii was thought best TO find some
way Of naming the delegates other
than the holding of township, coun- /
1 80
The chief thing is 10 secure men
above reproach and Of the highest
ability The method is a secondary
thing and was left TO the state
committee. This committee decided
10 leave il 10 the party in the dis
IT Is 10 name in their own way the
c .4egates at large and the delegates
accredited to each of the legislative
districts.
Not All Democrats.
The delegates at large. Is Of them, |
will be democrats. the districts be-
ing instructed 10 exercise their own
judgment as 10 whether they will !
name democrats or others as the |
local delegates. This was in accord !
with the views expressed at the gen /
eral conference. The repu bliCan /
state committee had previously re-
fused 70 join the democrats in nam |
ing non-partisan tickets.
Plans were also made at the |
meeting OF the state committee 70 |
proceed with the work Of orgs MIA !
ton in the most effective manner. I
Mr. Greathouse will establish his /
headquarters and remain az head ]
quarters with a competent force OF /
assistants 20 insure efficient organ |
ization in the 1916 campaign.
0ne OF the first things done viii /
be 10 complete the naming OF the |
woman's executive committee 10 CO. /
operate with the state committee in |
all the work. Such assistance as Is /
asked or required Will also be given /
in the important municipal elections !