The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-10-15


SO, 900 900 in the State treasury.
He was interested in State be-
nevolent institutions, promoted the
first State park and gave sympa-
thetic attention and aid to State
schools and universities.
Instituted Dixie Highway
He was deeply interested in good
roads and called a meeting of the
Governors of interested States and
instituted the building of the Dixie
Highway.
One of the outstanding incidents
Of his administration was the ami
cable settlement of the serious street
railway strike in indianapolis in
1913.
Traffic in Indianapolis was tied
up on the eve of a municipal cleo
ton and there was critical disorder
in the streets.
Ralston attempted to bring about
arbitration and failed. Then he or
dered out the National Guard. Sol
diers quietly marched into the city,
took up their posts and camped
about the Statehouse.
The following day thousands Of
strikers and sympathizers marched
on the Statehouse. Representatives
of the union visited the Governor
and demanded removal CT the troops.
Ralston quietly discussed the sit
uation, explained the law and said
he believed it his duty to keep the
peace. The committee was per
suaded the Governor wanted to be
fair.
New Stands BY
Ralston then declared he would adj
dress the gathering outside.
Harry S. New, present Postmaster
General, was with the Governor and
attempted to dissuade him. Failing,
New stood beside 'Ralston on the
Statehouse steps.
In simple language Ralston told
the men of his oath to defend the
peace and dignity of the State and
that it was the duty of every either
to obey the laws.
The crowd dispersed, the strike
was called off and traffic resumed.
Upon his retirement from the
Governors chair Ralston retired FOL
a time to his twenty-six acre farm
Just north Of Indianapolis, where he
had built "Hoosier Home a beauti
full country estate.
He Joined the law firm Of Ralston
Gates, Larry, Van Mugs and Barn
ard of which he was the head. Rails
tons son, Julian, later was taken
into the firm.
He practiced law in Indianapolis
for five years before he was again
called on to take up the party s
standard.
After the big Republican landslide
of 1920, in which Harding carried In
diana by q plurality of $4,000, 1t
seemed that any Democrat was
doomed to defeat. Ralston, however,
was drafted to take up the banner OF
Democracy this time in the cam
paign for United States Senator
against Albert J. Beveridge, the Re-
publican nominee.
Rolls Up 10000 Plurality
Ralston emerged from the strenu-
Gus campaign, fit and rugged and
rolled up a plurality of 10000 votes
over Beveridge.
1t was on the night the senatorial
election returns were coming in and
Ralston was surrounded by news.
paper men at his country home, that
the boom was started for Ralston
for President.
One newspaper man said: "Well,
Governor, you're likely to be presi.
Dental candidate next"
From that hour on, the Governor s
friends began quietly to boost Raj.
ston and build one Of the quietest,
Notwithstanding organizations in
the history of the State.
Ralston later refused to accept the
nomination for President After
Thomas Taggart had obtained virtu
ally enough votes for his nomination