The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-03-14
NO MEAN POLITICS
A Lot Of the Boys Would Like to Be Mayor

are rid of the Legislature when along
comes the city campaign. In seven weeks, If
politicians have their way, we shall be selecting
candidates for mayor. 1t is only matter OF
few days until red fire will be lighting up
the horizon and the spellbinder will be spell
binding.
The campaign is starting true to form. The
republicans are engaged in lively battle
among themselves and the Democrats are try
ing to draft candidate. AS usual, there are
plenty Of seekers after the republican nomina-
ton and there are plenty of men in the COM
munity any one of whom would make good
mayor if he would run, who refuse to be candi-
dates on either ticket.
And we, for one, don't blame them. There
is too much involved in making campaign
and in holding office under the present system
Of government for the average business man
to stake his reputation on the attempt
There is one feature of this campaign, how
ever, that probably startles plain citizens not
hardened to the ways Of politics. That is the
joining together in common purpose of Lew
Shark, auctioneer, monologist and rough and
ready mayor, and Charlie Jewett, the fair
haired boy Of the Fourth ward Republicans
wGo is commonly reputed to have committed
the gravest Of political cffenses, the wearing Of
silk socks.
You remember, of course, how Charlie and
Lew fought it out back in 1917 when Charlie
had ambitions to be the youngest mayor who
ever presided over the affairs of Indianapolis,
when Lew Shank was attempting to lead his
home-rulers to victory and when silver-tongued
Dick Miller was Grating nightly to little or no
advantage. Youyremember how Lew referred
frequently to "that boy, Charlie, the silk stock
ing candidate" and how Charlie referred to
Lew as an "uncouth creature, . or words to
that effect, and how Charlie in an attempt to
be rough, told the folks on the west side that
he once worked at the stockyards.
Well, those days are gone. Charlie and
Lew have united. They haven't changed their
styles In socks, but they don t object any more
to sitting in a back room somewhere together
and discussing the possibilities Of putting
down Cap George Coffin, ex-policeman. For
Cap has become a formidable figure in the
political picture. In fact, he is seeking to be
the picture, and neither Charlie nor Lew likes
the idea, 49,
rTlAP COFFIN, you know, is one of the Re-
~ publican city chairmen. The other is
Irving Lemaux, who represents Charlie and
Lew. Nobody knows which one has right to
the job, although about half the judges in this
part Of the State have been asked to express
their opinions,
Charlie g and Lew 3 and Irving s candidate
for mayor Is Ralph Lemcke. Lemcke will be
remembered best as the latter half Of the jew
ett-Lemeke faction Of the Republican party
which until recently was so bitterly assailed by
the Shank-Arnhtage faction, both halves of
which now insist they would Like to see Lemcke
elected to beat Cap Coffin
Meanwhile Cap, now that he has no more
duties in the legislative lobbies, is training his
guns on the Jewett-Lemcke- Shank -Armitage
faction, He is generally reported to have John
Il Duvall, ex-county treasurer all trained and
ready for the battle. There are reports, how
ever, that Cap may decide to switch to some
one else
Lucius o. Hamilton, who has participated
In many battle and who has testified not in
frequently in political court trials, has with
drawn as a candidate. He says running for
mayor Is no job for amateur, especially one
who has been in the game only thirty or forty
years
But there are other candidates in the run
ming, There la Delbert Wilmeth, who used to
practice law and work as a salesman for an oil
company. Delbert has been dispensing justice
In small doses down at city court for three
years. He wants to move up to the city hall
and he has lot Of friends who feel the same
way about it. But apparently he doesn' t be-
Long to either of the predominant factions
Thus he is handicapped.
Then there is William Smith Frye, transfer