South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-01-23

People Want Relief.
The people of Indiana wanted
then and want now, relief from the
measures that Goodrich forced
through the regular session Of this
legislature. Goodrich realizes that
he is responsible for these measures.
lie knows that any amendment Of
them must carry with II an admis-
sion that he was wrong in forcing
the enactment of them.
Therefore, in order to obtain re-
dress Of their legislative wrongs,
the people of Indiana must appeal
70 the man who wrOnged them and
who still controls the legislature.
Goodrich has admitted that there
must be some amendment of the
tax law. This admission has been
forced by a revolt general over the
state against the provisions of this
law. The revolt has reached point
where the courts have been beseiged
by NOR republicans than democrats
for relief from the measure Good
rich has grudgingly admitted that
il must be changed.
Controls Legislature.
But Goodrich does not PROF ose
that the changes shall be made by
anyone who does not recoilect that
the law Is his pet measure. framed
by himself and associates and forced
through the legislature.
If II is amendment, Goodrich in
sists. it must be amended by its
friends. And Goodrich is now in a
position. as demonstrated at the
last legislative session, to control the
legislature which will amend the
act No amendment that does not
originate in the Goodrich camp and
received the Goodrich stamp of ap-
prevail can be forced through the
legislature without the solid support
OF all the democratic members.
This tax law can be amended to
make it a serviceable law. II Will
not be so amended by the Goodrich
followers 1t might be SO amended
by a combination of the republican
legislators who have had ample
chance 10 see the evils OF it as it
stands
No Chance for Alliance.
But until there can be a definite
program worked out by and for the
democratic members Of the house
and senate. there is no chance of an
alliance with any part of the repub-
lican majority IN the assembly.
1t is regarded as imperative. by
the democratic leaders of the state,
including members of the assembly
themselves, that the minority pre-
Lare a special session of the legisla-
ture. It is proposed that they pre-
pare measures for introduction in
this special session along lines that
they can conscientiOusly support,
lines that are demanded by the peo-
pie Of the state. and lines along
which those members of the legis-
lature who are not bound TO Good
rich can follow without alternating
their own constituents.
It is pointed out that in this COM
ing special session of the legislature
there IL a chance for the democrats
of Indiana TO get together and lay
the foundation for their whole cam
paign. 1t is declared that they can,
in the sessions of the house and
issues of the state campaign and by
defining their positions thereon can
either force the republican majority
to ACCEPT their proposals or vote
them down on a strictly party basis
and allow them 10 become the issue
on which the next campaign can be
fought.
GENERALIZATION" is Keynote.
For example. it is conceded that
Capitalization" is the keynote Of
the Goodrich administration. The
public has had three years of it and
is surfeited with its abuse. This
legislature Is responsible for it.
Home rule has ceased TO exist in In
diana because of the power placed
in GOodrich's hands by this legisla-
ture.
The democrats of Indiana can
propose To return 20 the several
communities of the state their rights
TO participate in their government
at this special session. Then the re-
pubIicans must go on record either
as favoring home rule, which they
previously eliminated or as opposing
il in the face OF the popular clamOT
of today.
If they support home rule meas
ures they must thereby admit their
incapacity TO govern 10y a direct re-
vcrsal Of their theories. If they
deny home rule the issue is made
and no democrat ought TO hesitate
10 take it 10 the vote Of the people.
Demand for Meeting.
There is a growing demand in In
dianaDolis for a democratic meeting
at which the sentiment of the var
rious communities can be expressed
as "a preliminary to a demanded
caucus OF the democratic members
OF the general assembly where a
definite plan of action for the
March session of the general assem-
bly, shall be worked out.
4. e. Sallee. chairman OF the
democratic committee. has heard
this demand. The Goodrich con-
trolled republican committee is fear
ful that II viii bring results. such
good as will result from the forma-
ton Of definite plan for the
March session will doubtless be con-
sidered by the democratic commit
tee az its next meeting. in conjunc-
tion with the editors OF the state.