The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-10-11
GET THE FACTS


the Republican Editorial Association
The attorney general Of this State is urging one
So9is the Judge of the criminal court And prosecu-
TOR Ren,v always willing to act and one OF the
very few officials who had connection at any time
with Stephenson except to send him away for lie
for the murder Of girl declares that he Will devote
all his energies and all his powers OF once 10 ths
task.
That much has been gained by the day after day
demand of the Times that the charges maze ny
Stephenson be investigated
It may be we'll to remember now, because VI 'ne
nature of the charges, the happenings OF the 1rst
few days following the public statement by ADAMS
nine days ago.
Tho Times alone of the Indianapolis newspapers
strassad the importance of these charges and the
necesstv Of freeing the name of Indiana from any
load of libel if the charges be false, or of clear
ing its name by relentless prosecution If the charges
were true.
Six State Senators had listened to the story and
passed resolution demanding an inquiry
In their name Thomas Adams had appealed TO
the Governor of this State to permit these state
Senator'S each bound by solemn oath to preserve
the dignity of the State, and responsible newspaper
editors to visit Stephenson in his CELL
To that came reply from the Governor that
the trustees of the prison alone had power to order
to see Stephenson and particularly newspaper men,
and waived the Senators to that board
There was a hastily called meeting OF these
trustees at the bedside of one member VINO was TOO
ill to attend These trustees passed solemn reso-
luton placing the burden of refusal upon Warden
DAILY and he again refused
Each day the Times had asked, on its own ac-
count for such a permit and had been refused.
Five days of this silence passed and then, Theo-
dore Roosevelt appearing in the State and demand
ing that a stand be taken against corruption-but
tho cell door at Michigan City did not open for the
Senators or the newspaper editors.
There had been no interest the part OF the
Federal Government in any phase of the matter
during that time but significantly or by coincidence
there appeared at the penitentiary one Jack Maroney
Federal investigator, for hours talk with Steph-
enson before lawyers in a civil action, armed with
writ to obtain Stephenson and bring him back to
Indianapolis, appeared,
Just why he went or what he said to Stephenson
or what Stephenson said him is buried in silence.
The Indianapolis Star considered the matter i'm
portant enough view of the relationship of Watson
to Maroney deny the part of the Senator that.
he had anything to do with sending Maroney.
That is the surface of things this event enters
its tenth day of history making
But what are the fundamental facts?
Stephenson was quoted saying that he could
prove certain very grave crimes.
He said he could show by documentary evil
ldence how huge sums had been spent for the cor
ruption of elections in this State.
He said he could prove how huge bride had
been paid for the killing of bill in the Legisa-
He said that he could prove many other crimes
on the part of officials crimes relating to elections.
He said he could prove it by documents and pho
tographs
He may have lied. But the big outstanding fact
is that no one doubts that he had been in position,
as far as his relationship to officials and to politi-
clans were concerned, to prove them if they had
occurred
The only reason the charge was important at all
is because Stephenson had been in such position of
power to do the very things he says he can prove
were done.
Would any attention have been paid to these
charges had they come from any other person who
ever lived in this State?
Would any Importance have been attached to
them had they been made by any other convict in
the penitentiary?
It is for that that the people of this
State entitled to a full and complete investiga-
tion not as to whether Stephenson has the proof of
what he charges, but as to whether the things he
said he could prove were true
1t wou&>b be pity and shame if the good
of a convict for it's power of protection.
1t is than unfortunate that the outburst of
indignation and of promises Of investigation were
not immediate and prompt.
1t is unfortunate that for five days the eyes of
the Nation looked at Indiana with inquisitve eyes
and no word uttered by high officials which
would even hint at inquiry. 81
s 1t is unfortunate that the people of this State
have been put in the position of attempting to keep
+l,o
own State Senators who asked only for permission
to question him.
Now that the investigations of various sorts have
been started there must be no hafhearted measures
any limitations
1t will not do to attempt to bury it, if Stephen
son. the convict should suddenly declare that he has
no evidence.
1t will not do to smother these charges by any
public statements that adams i'll advised and i'm
petuous.
The people want the truth The Times is
pledged to devote its energies to discovering the