The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-10-22
NEWS REVIEW OF
CURRENT EVENTS
Queer Developments in the
Indiana Political Scan
dial Affair.
BY EDWARD W.. PIckARp

BY EDWARD w. PlcKARD
TT TOM ADAMS, vincennes publish
L er, is going to make good on his
charges Of political corruption and
khan rule In Indiana, 1t appears like
~ he will have to do 1t without the
voluntary aid of Convict Stephenson.
the original source Of most of the &C.
cusations. After demanding a chance
to make public his alleged proofs,
contained in mysterious black bag.
the former khan dragon was given the
opportunity when he was taken to
Indianapolis on writ of habeas cor
pus to testify in civil case. He took
refuge in his constitutional right
not to testify, and since he is serving
life sentence the judge could not
well punish. him for contempt of
court, Stephenson also was called be-
fore the, grand jury which had been
instructed to inquire into the corrup-
tion charges, and though the proceed
ings of that body are secret, there
were plain indications that he had
not revealed anything of Importance.
Seemingly Stephenson had used his
charges as a club to force his lawyers
10 expedite his appeal from the SEN
tence he is serving, and there were
signs that his tactics were succeed
ing. Several attorneys who were for
merly associated with his defense and
who are powerful in politics in In
diana reappeared with him.
Clyde A. Walb, chairman Of the In
diana Republican committee, declares
that international bankers" are finan-
cling campaign for the defeat Of
Senators Watson and Robinson and
certain Indiana representatives be-
cause Of their stand on the World
court and the war debts, and that the
Stephenson charges are a part Of the
plot. Calling attention to these allie
cations, the Indianapolis Times sent
a telegram to Senator James A. Reed
urging him to bring his senate cam
paign inquiry committee to Indiana.
In st. Louis 1t was asserted Senator
Reed had decided to comply with this
request and had summoned the COM
mittee to meet in Indianapolis. Sem
ator Borah, in Washington, said he
had received from Adams papers tend
ing to support the Stephenson charges,
and limited he might insist on an in
vestigation by the Reed committee.
Attorney General Gilliom in a sharp
telegram to Borah asserted that SIN
diana is thoroughly capable and de-
sirous of setting its own house In or
der, If it is shown that 1t is out OF
ORDER" and demanded that Borah re-
turn to Indiana any evidence he might
have received. The Idaho senator
answered that the material sent him
was not in the nature of legal proof.
VICE PRESIDENT DAWES, ad-
Y dressing the national convention
of the American Legion in Philadel-
phia, was heartily applauded when he
attacked the primary system in cleo
lions and declared 1t should be 'iarge-
Nv abolished" He continued: IF we
follow the theory and plan Of repre-
sentative government laid down in our
Constitution by providing for nominal
ton by conventions, better and more
impartial class Of candidates will re-
suit"
This drew swift retorts from Sena-
tors Borah and Hiram w. Johnson.
While neither mentioned the vice pres
ident by name, neither took any pains
to except him from charges that the
clamor for the convention system is
inspired by politicians who have failed
in attempts to purchase elections and
that the purpose of the clamor is to
snake corruption safer and cheaper"
A. nationwide propaganda cam
paign to break down the primary sys-
tenn is under way, according to Sen
ator johnson. 1t has met with sue
cess in some states, notably New York
and Idaho, where the primary cleo
lion laws have been repealed, he de-
clared, but will fail in California.
-
II EAFFIRMINGt the action taken al
N the Omaha gention last year
the American Jon voted over
whelmingly to the 1927 conyen'