South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-02-24
GOODRICH CANVAS
MIKES THINGS UP
Makes His Administration
Issue In Campaign and
Distresses Candidate.
special to TIE vs-rimes

INDIANAPOLIS. Ind. Feb. "a
Considerably TO the chagrfn OF the
republican candidates for Indiana
offices, Gov. James P. Goodrich is
.aking an active part in the shaping
u the issues OF the state campaign
and has now succeeded in making
It's apparent that the republicans Of
indiana must not in any manner re-
1udiate any part of his administra-
lion.
In his speech at Vincennes he in
sisted that the party must ask the
voters Of Indiana 10 give me a vote
OF confidence" and he endeavored TO
make it clear that he would insist
/ on the state platform containing
a plank pointing with pride" TO the
manner in which he has conduct
ed the state government.
Onends All Candidates.
This movement on the part OF
I Goodrich was much feared by the
managers Of the candidates. of both
J. w. Fesier and warren T. Nc
Cray before the governor announced
his tour of the state in defense Of his
conduct OF his Office. 1t has now
become known that the managers of
both these candidates sought 10 dis
suade Goodrich from making this
tour but failed TO prevent II. 1t
has been noticeable that not a sin
gle one of the four candidates for
the nomination has appeared with
Goodrich in any Of the cities and
it is reported that it was only
through the exercise Of all his
strength with the republican state
/ committee that Goodrich succeeded
in having Fred Shortemeir accom-
pany him 10 a few of the cities in
which he has spoken TO lend the
tour the semblance Of being author
led by the state committee.
Goodrich's Jour of the state has
been worse than "a failure in the opin-
ion of most republicans. IL has been
| little short of a calamity. according
TO the expressions Of friends of the
candidates From the viewpoint of
hose who watch politics closely it
has been exceedingly ill-advised for
/ the following reasons:
Defense Is Apology.
]. IT is an admission that the
republican administration of the
state is such that it must be ex-
planned.
?. 1t is designed to accentuate
the differences that have arisen in
the republican camp over the tax
law. the highway law, and the gov
ernor's own peculiar way of hand
ling the state institutions and the
convicts of the state.
8. Whatever doubt there may
have existed in the minds OF republi-
cans as to the stories of the COVER
nor's misconduct OF the office he
holds have been dissipated by his
attempts 10 justify his course in the
face of criticism.
4. In no instance has the gov
ernor offered an explanation that
really explained and in no instance
has he been able TO bring TO his
meeting those republicans whose
confidence he lost some time ago
and who might be influenced TO
some extent by his speeches if they
could be reached.
8. Persistently the governor has
declared that the party must stand
by his record and make it an issue
! of the campaign, as he did at Vim
cennes when he said, Il have no
apologies to make. We have kept
/ the faith. We will go before the
voters next fall with this record and
we will expect a vote of confidence"
Defeats Fond Hopes.
To prevent the campaign from be
coming a straight-out fight for and
against the teachings of Goodrich
ism has been the fondest hope of the
repu blican managers. They realize
/ that there is much in the record OF
/ Goodrich that cannot be explained
and they realize that the same re-
volt that forced Goodrich out Of the
/ list of presidential possibilities will
be much in evidence when indorse-
ment of GENERALIZATION" is demand
ed at the polls.
Gov. Goodrich has gone out into
the state and demanded that the
republican party make an issue of
his administration The prospects
| Of success on this issue do not ap-
peal AT all to the republicans who
have been lined up behind either
Fesler or McCray for the governor
ship
] 1t is generally conceded that Fes-
| Ter would go further in the indorse-
ment OF Goodrichism than any 9TH
er candidate, but 1t is very evident
that even Fesler fears the conse-
/ quences An evidence Of that fear
is the failure of The indianapolis
| News TO give more than cursory
mention to the Goodrich meetings.