New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-05-16
Ex Convict i'm
Mayoralty Race
Brings MIDDLE
Opponents Charge Roberts,
Nominated by Democrats
/ of Terre Haute, Could
Not Serve if Elected
New Legislation Cite d
Present Republican Mayor,
Defeated in Primary, May
Aid Opponent of Party
special Dispatch to The Tribune

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. May 15.--De-
veiopments in the Terre Haute munich
pal campaign following the primaries
In which Dom NJ. Roberts won the
Democratic nomination for Mayor have
brought out prominently several ques
lions chief of which is whether
Roberts, in event of election in No
vember, would. be able to qualify for
the office.
A law enacted by the last Indiana
General Assembly and which will be
effective on publication by the Gov
ernor about June Is makes ineligible
to qualify for any public office any
person who has been convicted of
felony.
Roberts is q former Mayor Of Terre
>Haute, the legality of whose election
was contested and who later was con-
victed of conspiracy to corrupt cleo
tions. With the judge of the Circuit
Court, Sheriff, other minor officials and
associates in the election activities,
Roberts was sentenced in the Federal
Court at Indianapolis to Fort Leaven-
worth Federal prison. Since his dis
charge at the end of his term he has
returned to Terre Haute and has been
working to reestablish himself in po-
litical control.
Not DISTINGUISHED by Court
Roberts was not disfranchised when
sentenced by Judge A. B. Anderson
and there has been no question OF his
citizenship rights since his return to
Terre Haute.
Should Roberts receive q majority
of votes for Mayor in November there
} is no question but that his right to as
sumo Office would be contested and the
new law invoked. This raises another
question since in event of failure OF
Roberts to qualify for Office it is as
sumed that the present administration
would continue Mayor Charles R.
Hunter was defeated in his race for
the Republican nomination. 1t is free
ly predicted that the friends OF Mayor
Hunter will contest any effort on the
part of Roberts to assume Office in
event of a Democratic victory IN the
election. In the primaries Roberts re-
ceived 7,407 votes. His nearest OPP
ponent was Nathan C. Wallace, former
county auditor, now a merchant and
banker, who received 2,510. Charles
II. Bidaman, former Representative in
the Indiana General Assembly, re-
ceived $50.
There were six candidates for nomi-
ticket and the Republicans polled
nearly double the Democratic vote.
Ora }. Davis, lawyer and business
man, who served throughout the World
War as q captain in the Quartermas-
ter's Department, was nominated with
vote of 6,342, against Mayor Hunter,
4,095; James M. Churchman, 63l;
James o. Leek, no; Archie Chambers,
face of the vote the Republicans do
not appear much concerned about the
result III November, although they
recognize the activity of the Roberts
support and already the Republican
organization is extending its efforts to
offset any gains Roberts might make.
Hunter May Aid Roberts
The hin that the Hunter sup
port, or part of it, might go to Rob
e. in nope that Roberts might be
elected, and then the Hunter forces
would take the matter into court and
fight to continue the present admins
tration. On the other hand, the Re-
publican organization appears willing
that the Democrats take the initiative
and get Roberts off the ticket. Al
ready there are whisperings Of a
break in the Democratic ranks, and
some candidates nominated in the pri-
maries have said openly they would
withdraw rather than run on ticket
headed by Roberts.
Several causes may be assigned to
the success OF Roberts In the primaries
The chief one was the over~confdence
of the organization Democrats, repre-
senting the business and professional
classes. Roberts has been active since
his return from Leavenworth in his
effort to regain control of the party
organization. He sought to elect the
chairman of the county committee, but
was defeated. A later effort to gair
control of the city committee also was
defeated by decisive vote of his party
day he has c con- a pr personal s' cam
paign, appealing to men and womel
with the plea he never had chance
His efforts also have been directed t.
bringing to his support the non-pro
ducers and the unemployed. He ha
succeeded in creating prejudic
against certain business and profes
sional men and public service cor
xnnrnt Il ana