Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-03-31
CALLS
UPON EDITORS
OF HIS PARTY
Candidate for Senator De-
clares Against Many
Boards.

Democratic success at the November
election is assured If Indiana Democrats
will awaken from the lethargic state in
which they have been since 1920. is the
statement made by Dan W. Simms Of La
fayette, candidate for the nomination of
United States Senator in the primary
election in May, in a letter sent out by
him to editors of Democratic papers
throughout Indiana.
Mr.. Simms comes out openly against
the various boards and commissions
which have sprung into existence, and
charges that under the guise of assisting
the Executive arm Of the Government
they are in reality little more than po-
litical agencies used to perfect political
organizations.
In part the letter reads: 81 cherish no
Illusion that my nomination is essential
to the success of the ticket in November,
but l sincerely believe that, if the great
body of Democratic voters can be aroused
and inspired to canvass and consider the
merits and availability of not only the
candidates for United States Senator but
of all candidates for congressional. State,
legislative and township office as well If
they can be impressed with the response
bility Of their duty to 90 to the polls and
express their solemn judgment in the
choice of all of these candidates, then and
in such event success in the election viii
inevitably follow, no matter what canGi-
dates may be chosen.
"A spirit Of Legitimacy weighs upon the
heart Of the average Democratic voter.
He is Observation-Disclosures He has
seen his party go down to defeat under
overwhelming majorities. He has Wit
messed the burdens of taxation grow
hno-so- To- h. la~ vuf+h Tho onnornnf
approval Of the voters of the State ex-
pressed at the polls. He has observed
the action Of the congressional delega-
tiOn. which, while supporting a policy
that has Inundated the Nation in the
eyes of the world. has also destroyed his
markets and crippled. indeed if it has
not destroyed. his power 10 get on IN
the world. In the enactment and amend
ment Of a peridious State tax law he
has lOted a vicious onslaught upon. and
a systematic attempt in the destruction
of. The principle Of local elf-government
"a principle dear 70 every Democratic
heart. He has seen the virile functions of
simple Democratic government rendered
impotent, complicated beyond all sense
and reason. and handed over in q large
measure to a series of political agencies
and under the name of boards and com
missions. whose ~ostenSible reason for ex-
istence. he is told. is to assist the eXecu-
tive arm of the Government III its ad-
ministrative duties, but whose real claim
upon life he has learned is based upon
the fact thai they give to the party in
power a greater facility in perfecting q
political organization. while they increase
the cost of Government out of all proper
ton TO the good they accomplish. He
sees the science of civil government pros
tituted to the cunning art of 'O;ce get
ting In view Of these conditions and in
the face of a situation which he deplOres
but oubts his power to improve o.
change. it would not be strange OF diff
cult 10 understand If he should hesitate
or neglect to join forces with his fell
lows. canvass and consider the merits
and availability of all candidates. choose
as hest he may and, with right good will.
fight manfully for the man of his choice.
But if his inertia can be overcome and
the spirit Of real democracy can be awak-
ened and aroused, It will be, as it has
ever been when aroused and determined
absolutely i~nvincible.
81 believe and stand for, l try to preach
and practice democracy as conceived and
promulgated by jefferson. as maintained
and upheld by Jackson and as interpreted
and eoncretely applied by Woodrow
wilson"