South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-05-02
MAY 2. 1921
Mr.. RIDENOUR'S STAND FOR RIGHTS
OF CITY MANAGER PETITIONERS.

Thank goodness there seems one man in South
Bend, running for Office. with the courage Of his
convictions in Of the rights of the PEOPLE
even II It jeopardize his political interests No
one could read the advertisement by W. W.
I2idenour. published Sunday without seeing it the
germ of an official OF which a people should be
proud Disguised With the connivances. resulting
in the certificate by City Clerk Blinski, multiplying
the source OF the city manager petitions from that
time forward. found by the court in the primary
mandamus case. he makes this exclamation, and
makes It publicly:
THE decision Of the superior court invalidating
the proceedings call referendum election on the
city manager plan OF government was but the nee
essary sequel to the efforts OF politicians and oce
seekers concerned in party advantage and per-
sonal success than in the rights OF the people to
self-government It was case made In contem-
platon of such suit being brought to set aside
the proceedingsJntentionally made insufficient in
law. In it is the hand Of the legal demagogue
a warning against the genius of lawyers In finding
ways invaHdate the will OF the people.
IF I am nominated next Tuesday and elected next
fall will my every influence to bring the OPP
portuny to the people to vote on this question soon
a the law will permit even though am voted out
OF Office I have not been advocate OF the city
manager plan, being Of mind. recognizing some
redeeming features in it, and willing to let the cleo
tOrate have their way. L promise IL elected mayor
TO inaugurate those redeeming features in my ad-
mnistration wherever possible under the present
federal system"
quite as he says it not the fault OF the court
that there is be a primary tomorrow; 1t Is the
fault OF politicians and oce-seekers-the house OF
seebirt-who made their own case. loaded with
technical insuffciences and then brought suit
placing the in a position where it unable
TO decide otherwise. Mr.. Ridenour apparently does
belong that school OF politicians and office
seekers. This community needs Ridenours in
Iublic Office and every signer of city manager pc
ttion, and every citizen who believes that the peo-
pies rights should advanced. without hindrance
from politicians and ofice-seekers hoping to profit
personally in consequence. should not forget this
man when they their primary ballot
II OF his party faith
Sunday we divided choice between Mr. Ridenour
and Mr. Edward Hagey. Both are good men. But
Mr.. Ridenour having spoken in this matter
steps into the foreground, and as divided effort
may waste-a significant city manager
contention-perhaps he deserves the center OF at
tention. Both men clean. upright. pledged to
good government and respect for the law-and Mr.
Ridenour. even to the law that empowers the peo-
Ile petition their petitions respected by
city officials.
How different his voice from that of any of the
other mayoralty candidates. republican demo-
cratic; no protest from any of them against this
undetermined way OF invalidating popular a
movement Maybe It isn't wholly invalidated but
that doesn't lessen the cussedness behind the cond
lions that make it apparently So true is this
the silence that distinguishes the others from
Mr.. Ridenour. well nigh indicates their consent
As an independent newspaper accordingly feel
free to endorse the Individual regardless OF party
that will pronounced a stand. and will say
that those who believe in voting for the right be-
cause is right. should give him their support.
Maybe there are not many such. We cannot say.
here is their chance to prove how many there
rrI,,, - srr1 tho ina
get Very we'll then. assuredIy. the man who.
whether by himself. or whether his lieutenants.
instigated the condition existing. does Sc
serve your support-and all know whose crowd
counseled the suit; whose newspaper organ agtated
It; the gentleman who is to revive Kellerism; IN
other words the house of Seebirt.
That trick OF the seebirt aggregation--and then
the attempt to shoulder the blame Mayor Car
son-was the last straw. Such is Seebirtsm.