The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-04-22
Dishing the Dirt

FTV liz city campaign Is swinging luVo llo ldoV
l stages. Less than two weeks remain be-
fore the primary when the voters, or at least
some of them, will decide who shall be the Re-
publican and Democratic candidates for mayor
and city council.
And, as is the habit with city campaigns
the contest grows nastier as it goes along
Nothing much is being said about the ability
and qualifications of candidates. A great deal
is being said about their associates. And prob
ably this is just as well, because the associates
Of oficeholders and not the oficeholders them
selves usually carry the most influence in In
dianapolis public affairs.
We have the unusual spectacle, for in
stance of Charles W. Jewett, former silk-stock-
ing mayor of Indianapolis, and Samuel Lewis
Shank rough and ready auctioneer, making
speeches on consecutive nights in favor of the
candidacy Of Ralph Lemcke for the Repub
can nomination.
At the same time Bill Armitage, John
Zener and Bull Moose" Walker are actively
working for this same Ralph Lemcke.
Verify, politics brings about strange COM
bnations.
D. C. Stephenson, the unofficial head of the
Republican party in the State, is temporarily
out of action, due to a visit with one Of his
political friends at the county jail.
But "Steve" still remains factor. He
may not be uttering so many words that i'm
mediately become law nowadays; he may not
be going about with his bodyguard of State
policemen: he may not be holding meetings in
his,Irvington home or keeping his famous card
index up to date-but he still remains power
full figure in Indianapolis politics.
The chances are that he will continue to in
fuence elections, even though he finds it neces-
sary to continue to sleep behind iron bars and
eat prison food In fact his Influence may be-
come greater than ever.
For Steve suddenly has ceased to be.
a leader and has. instead become an issue,
Charles Jewett started it the other night
with one of his most vituperative speeches ever
heard in city campaign here. And Indianap-
oils has heard some stem winders. One wonders
whether Charlie good Republican that he is,
voted for Ed jackson for Governor. In
fact, one can not help wondering where all the
Jackson votes came from.
For was not "Steve" the leading figure in
the jackson campaign?
Anyway Charlie says that "Steye' and
George " Coffin, meeting in a room at the
Washington, on March 3d. pledged themselves
to support John Duvall for mayor. 1t is re-
called that the rather unpleasant events lead
ing up to "Steve's" incarceration are alleged
to have occurred, according to grand jury in
dictments ION or about March 16." (There Is
some dispute about the exact date). And Lew
comes right along and adds to Charlie s story.
And Delbert Wilmeth, who seems to have
the support of no prominent politicians in
particular, is plugging right along, just out
side the hmelight.
Far outside the limelight are the Demo
cratic candidates. We will give their name for
the benefit of the thousands of voters who do
not know there are Democratic candidates.
They are Walter Myers and Adolph Emhardt.
The most certain thing about the present
campaign is that the voters don't seem to give
rap about it.
They are gust about as interested in the
German elections next Sunday as they are in
the Indianapolis elections week from next
Tuesday Mavhe mora ca