The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-01-23
DEMOCRATIC HEAD
CONDEMNS ACTS
OF COUNTY CLERK
Charges PrejudiCeS Are
Affecting Appoint
mentS,

Charging that he had refused to
appoint Democrats recommended by
the county Democratic organization
as deputies for religious reasons,
Russell j. Ryan, Democratic county
chairman. issued a statement 'repudi-
ating" Albert Losche. county clerk,
and asserting the party organization
will have nothing further to do with
the appointments.
Losche replied that he had followed
some of Ryan's recommendations, but
would run his office as efficiency de
mands."
Ryan's statement:
After the recent election the Dem
ocratic county organization made GER
tain recommendations to Mr.. Losche,
county clerk, for appointments in his
office, based upon fitness for the posi-
ton and party service. All of these
recommendations were approved by
Mr.. Losche. except five. which We're
disapproved by him solely because
such five were affiliated with the Cath
Ole church. Mr.. Losche requested the
organization TO substitute for these
any persons so long as they We're not
affiliated with the Catholic church,
stating that he would accept nc n
who was OF the Catholic faith.
THE Democratic organization and
party stand ~squarely upon the pro-
vision of the Constitution Of Indiana.
which provides, among other things,
hat no religious test shall be re-
CURED as q qualification for n Of
fee OF trust or profit The Dem
ocratic organization and party does
o stand upon any creed, religious
belief or nationality. and IN passing
upon any mans claim for appoint
ment. 1t considers only his good citi-
zenship, party loyalty ana fitness for
the position he seeks.
Closed Incident
"Inasmuch as Mr.. Losche has made
church utilization and religious belief
the test for qualification for appoint
ment in his office the organization Of
Marion County refuses to participate
further in making recommendations
to him for appointment and repudiaes
his actions and condemn him for TAX
ing such an uu-Amertcan and un-
Democratic stand. and now considers
this a closed incident"
To this Losche replied:
Il have no desire 10 enter into any
controversy with Mr.. Ryan regarding
appointments in the county clerks
office. I was elected by Republican
as well as Democratic voters and I
was elected to serve all of the people
of the county. l have listened to the
counse Of tho county chairman and
have acted f~avorably upon come Of
his recommendations. I have felt on
the other hand hat efficiency de
manded the retention Of some OF the
old force and this I am going 10 do
though 1t may curtail somewhat
Mr.. Ryan's efforts TO build on. organi-
for the next election.
II have felt also that In the selec-
ton of my deputies, I should exercise
my own personal judgment and sur
round myself with men and women in
whom I have the utmost confidence.
In doing this I find hat my judgment
has somewhat conficted with the judg-
ment Of Mr.. Ryan. but it is my re
sponsibility and l have no hesitancy
in assuming it.
There is and will be no discHmina-
ton because Of sex, religion or color,
but I will naturally appoint as my
assistants those whom ] have learned
to trust by past associations. Al
though 1 am a Democrat and loyal
TO the party, l give notice now that
/ am a public servant first. elected
by the people and the interests of the
people will be my first consideration.
I want to run the county clerks Of
fee efficiently and economically and
my appointments have been made
and will be made with hat sole OBJ
ieCt in view"