South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-07-23
july 3. 1920.
GOV GOODRICH AS AN EXHIBIT.

Whatever the outcome OF the charges made
against Gov. Goodrich By Sen Cravens anent the
formers financial interests in certain Industrial
mining and utility enterprises, behalf Of which
legislation has been sought the special session.
this much is certain; the governor is showing and
a taste. Whether ne has COM
mitted indlctable offense or not such relation
ships and attempts to use the machinery of the
state TO their aid and comfort is not commendatory
OF man. IN public office. who would interlink
them in that way.
Gov. Goodrich IS the kind OF business man in
public Office that discredits business men in public
Office. They Invariably become more concerned
about business. and particularly their business.
than they do about the public or the proper func-
lions OF their office. The exceptions almost merely
prove the rule. Grover Cleveland once said Pub
lie is public trust. not a private snap" and
think he had in mind OF the big business
men then in public office who using the gov
eminent to further their private ends
outbreak the war there was a great
demand upon Pres't Wilson that he put big bust
ness the head OF the various war activities;
aircraft production, ship building and so on and
he did-universally republicans because democrats
addicted big business. These big business
men were generous too; willing to for "a dol
a1 year."-and today. if there is anything at all
go tine reports OF the congressional smelling"
Inittees that have been investigating the conduct
Of the war. viii find that it the
big business throwing contracts where they
could reap their rewards profits sufficient
make up for the salaries that they had foregone.
in the OF Gov Goodrich. there are
frequent evidences where it has been tried that
because has made a success of business for
himself It does follow that ne will handle the
public's business similarly for the public His head
often nterlaid with gold coin sensitizing his
sense Of equality and public justice with the faint
OF special privilege and personal advantage. That
is Goodrichism. and q fair synonym for repub-
lcanism. the republican party being made up more
generally Of Goodriches. and. therefore being the
recognized party of privege-especially attractive
those who would thrive that species of graft
Everybody knows that has kept at all in touch
with things how well Gov. Goodrich has kept Ihe
public service commission. for instance, under his
thumb. enr Toying it politically and 10 enhance the
financial advantages OF his friends got view
or here IN South Bend with respect to the New
Jersey railroads wanted crossing Of the New York
Central-whch came out an right by outside
mutual agreement, but doubt would never have
gotten anywhere had the commission been left TO
hew fits course There have been other instances all
the Gov. Goodrich's interests or the in
OF his family. in public utilities may have
had something 20 do with it, or they may not have
The attitude assumed here in that case seems not
have been an uncommon one.
Likewise with the governors excise tax law be-
fore the legislature back in 1917. He generous
toward certain lines utility corporations in which
lines ne had interests The present law before the
assembly Is said contain q proviso for exemption
or sewage disposal bonds from taxation. and it
develops that the governor and certain business
sociates having unoaded a sewage disposal plant
upon the city Of indianapolis at an enormous price
through connvanee with Mayor Jewett z. O. p
machine colieaEue-the Goodrich family are now