The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-10-08
A REAL INQUIRY

The belated declaration comes under unusual CIT
c,mstanceg such as might leave the fair inference
that he had been forced to speak by exposures Oh
documents and the fear of more to come
It would have been happier had the Governor not
for five days. used his of office and MS onlclaA
influence to smother these charges and 70 refuse 20
permit Stephenson to be seen.
The suspicion that political accident FORCED MS
bord will always remain and the people of Indiana
will owe this delayed stand to the presence IN CniS
state Of Theodore Roosevelt of the honored Pres
ident.
What a. picture is sent out from the home of
CLYDE Wab by the sycophantic press which mas urea
to belittle and to smother these charges
II is recounted that Roosevelt arrived to speak on
Republican principles and his own ideas of world
courts
But he would not consent to go upon the platform
with men who had for FIVE days permitted this State
and their party rest under the cloud OF fearing 10
face an investigation of such damning charges.
He refused to appear with who are silent
while the great newspapers of the nation sent their
best reporters into this State to see the peculiar
phnonenon of State Government silent and inactive
when it's integrity had been challenged
IF the reports were to be believed young Roosevelt
wrote his declaration of approval Of the action of
jackson in demanding an investigation, handed it to
CLYDE Walb for his approval, mad then dared the
Governor not to state his position as he introduced
him to speak.
For that thank Roosevelt and remember him al
ways in kindly spirit. Had he not come, it is not
likely that there would have been the pledge
Of an inquiry.
Now the people of this State will demand real
probe made by men interested in getting the truth
and not by those who may be interested in suppress
ing it.
The situation is unusual Stephenson is convict
under life sentence for hideous murder. But he
was once the real power in this State He had
claimed, without challenge that he the Republic
an party in this State
His associations and his influence well
known He had been the friend and the political
hacker of the officials in power and of the or
ganzation Of his party. 1t was he who handed out
the laurels to faithful workers and promoted and
praised them. 1t was he who had secured positions
or refused them, he passed laws defeated pro-
posaIs of laws
No one disputed his influence or his power. His
private yacht was at Cleveland when President
was being named and to it went eager guests high
officials and their wives. His palace in Irvngton
was the retreat of those who men in other
days approached throne
Only his ustful nature and the death of a girl
unseated him. He did not fall because he was de-
serted by those he had made great he did not lose
his grip because who had received his preference
and his praise and his patrmony failed in allegiance
He lost power only when he lost his liberty and
Jury had placed a scarlet letter of killer upon his
brow.
Five days ago he made his first declaration of
against whom?
He said that he would prove that 100000 had
+bo For udu1e votes
and for the stufing of ballot boxes
He said that he would prove how $4,000 had been
spent in the State Legislature to kill certain
measure.
He said that he would prove that juries had been
fixed in certain counties, how officials divided unlaw
full tributes, how graft regned.
He said that he would and could prove corruption
Of government.
Five days passed before Roosevelt came to place
his party on record.
In that five days every power and influence was
used to smother these charges
The mayor of this city admitted that he had
written letter, photograph of which was furnished,
showing he had sought the influence of this man to
secure his old job of treasurer with it's fees which
are worth more than the salary of President.
The warden of the prison refused to permit Ste
phenson to be seen.
The Governor of this State has repulsed each day
beginning with Sunday to request the warden that
he permit The Times to enter that prison and get
from Stephenson his story of these charges.
Six State Senators listened to evidence of graft
presented by Thomas Adams of the Republican Edi-
torial Association and demanded of Governor Jackson
that they be allowed to probe.
The Governor sent back the specious excuse that
only the trustees Of the prison had power to order
the warden to let these law makers visit Stephenson
and listen to his charges
The trustees hastily called to the bedside of one
Of their members passed solemn resolutions that the
warden alone could allow officials of this State to
make inquiry into this damning indictment Of
graft and corruption.
The warden stolidlS refused-the warden selected
by the Governor of this State-and no rebuke was
given him by Jackson, removal for some man who
would take interest in discovering the truth of
the charges. His deputy said ITO hell with public
opinion
That was the history until the mayor of this city
admitted authenticity of letter furnished by Adams