The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-12-02

ing or not; II depends upon the point
of view. Dan himself had no illu-
sions in the matter. Allen wanted TO
see and If possible meet the local
characters of whom he read in the
newspapers; and he began Joining
Harwood in visits to the hotels at
night, hoping that these wonderful
representatives of American democ-
racy might appear. Harwood's &C
quaintance was widening; he knew,
by sight at least, all the prominent
men of the city and State. and after
leaving the newspaper he still spent
one or two evenings a week lOung1ns
in the hotel corridors. Tradition sur
vived of taller giants before the days
OF the conternporaneous AgameIn7
mons. Allen asked questions about
these and mourned their passing.
Harrison, the twenty-third President;
Gresham. Of the brown eyes. judge
and Cabinet minister; Hendricks, the
courtly gentleman, sometime Vice
President: Uncle joe Mcdonald and
Dan" Voorhees,. Senators in Con-
gress. and loved in their day by wide
constituencies. These had vanished.
but Dan and Allen made pious pill
grirnage one night to sit at the feet
OF David Turpie, who had been a SEN
ator in two widely separated eras. and
who. white and venerable. like Algyp-
tos, knew innumerable things.
The active politicians who crossed
his horizon interested Allen greatly;
the rougher and more uncouth they
were the more he admired them.
They were figures in the great ex-
pertinent, no matter how sordid or
contemplate Harwood pronounced
them. He was always looking for
types" and Big" Jordan. the Re
publican chief, afforded him the
greatest satisfaction. He viewed the
local political scene from an angle
that Harwood found amusing. and
Dan suggested that it must be be-
cause the feudal faint and the servtle
tradition are still in our blood that
we submit so tamely to the rule OF
petty lordlings. In his exalted mo-
nents Aliens ideas shot far into the
air. and Dan found II necessary 20
pull him back to earth.
II hardly see a Greek frieze carved
of these brethren" Dan remarked
che night as they lounged at the
Whitcomb when d meeting OF the
State committee was in progress.
These fellows would make you weep
II you knew az much about them as
do. There's one Of the bright lights
nOw-the Honorable Ike Petit, of
Err.sre- -
smart enough to be crooked; he's the
following FalstaR Of the Hoosier
Democracy. 1 wonder who the laughs
on just now, he's shaking like jelly
fish over something"
"Oh. I know him, He and father
are great chum5; he was at the house
for dinner Last night"
What
Harwood was unfeignedly surprised
At this. The editor of the Fraser
County Democrat" had probably
never dined at the Bassetts' in his
own town. or at least Dan assumed
as much: and since he had gained
an insight into Bassett's affairs he
was aware that the physical property
Of the Fraser County Democrat"
was mortgaged to Morton Bassett for
quite all it was worth. 1t was hardly
possible that Thatcher was cultivat-
ing Petut's acquaintance for sheer
Joy OF his society. AS the ponderous
editor numbered across the lobby to
where they sat. Dan and Allen rose
to receive his noisily cordial 5aluta-
lions. On his visits to the capital,
aTTayed in a tremendous frock coat
and with a Tapping SLOUGH hat crown
ing his big irongray head, he was a
prOdigious figure.
Boys" he said. dropping an arm
around each Of the young men. the
Democratic party is the hope of man.
kind. Free her Of the wicked bosses.
boil the corruption out of her. and
the grand old Hoosler democracy will
appear once more upon the mountain
tops as the bringer Of glad things.
What's the answer. my lads, to Uncle
Ike's philosophy"
Between campaigns we're all re
formers" said HARDWOOD guardedly.
i feel it working In my own sys-
tenn"
Between campaigns replied the
Hon. Isaac Petit impressivIey, I'VE re
all contemplate lot OF towards.
that's what's the matter with us.
Was Thomas Jefferson engaged In ma
nipulating Legislatures? Did he oh.
struct the will Of the people" Not
by long shot he did not! And that
grand old patriot Andrew Jackson.
wasn't satisfied to take his ticker or
let it alone without being like
heather in his blindness. bowling down
TO wood and stone carved into sa-
looms and distilIeries?"
It's said by virtuous Republicans
that our party is only a tall TO the
liquor interests. II you're going back
to the Sage of Monticello. how do
you think he would answer that?'
Bless you. my dear boy; it's not
the saloons we try TO protect: it's the
plain people, who are entitled 20 the
widest and broadcast liberty. II YOU
screw the lid down on people too
tight, you'll smother 'em. I'm not a
drinking man: 1 go 10 church and in
my newspaper I preach the felici-
ties OF sobriety and domestic peace.
But it's not for me to dictate to my
brother what he shall eat or wear.
No, sir And look here, don't you try
TO read me out Of the Democratic
party. young man. At heart our par
tvs as sweet and strong as corn; yea.
as the young corn that leapeth 10 the
rains Of June. It's the bosses that's
heepin' us doV,2.
Your reference To corn throws us
back on 60 'listilleries." suggested