The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-13
TN THE OPEN

AS the time draws near for the gathering OF
the state Legislature the necessity for public ana
open inquiry into all the charges OF corruption anu
misgovernment becomes more pronounced
For three months the State has seethed Wlth
charges that reflect upon the State government
sThev have come from various and varied sources
The first came from the prison cell OF D. {.
ssstenhenson who relayed through Tom Adams,
publisher of Vincennes newspaper, the charge
that he had documents which would prove many
unpleasant things in the campaign of 1874.
Later there came from the corporation counsel
1of this city the charge in open court InaC copoi"
lions had made huge contributions or rather tne
definite sum of $4,000, for the purpose OF con-
Trolling appointments to the public service com
Emission.
Since that time many things have happened
Chiefly was the decision of the local court tnat ]"
had no power to hear the in which the
Charge of Counsel Rucker was made, decision
(which prevents any open hearing on that matter
aThe other was the calling of grand jury, its nine
weeks Of witnesses and its continuation OF us IN
Squiry
But aside from these official acts, other things
have been impressed upon the public mind.
The first came when the official power of this
State was used to prevent any one' ncluolng SIX
Estate Senators, from talking to Stephenson IN MS
%ceT There was a hurried meeting of the trustees
Nof that prison to back up the edict OF the war
~den which prevented any from talking to this
sconvict--and that continued until Federal agent
4saw him without difficulty and withot espionage
This newspaper produced the statements Oh
reputable witnesses who declared that at one time
%stephenson had documents which he considered
nof such value that he had them photographed, so
that we're the originals lost stolen he would stu
Shave some evidence Of their existence
Attorney General Gilliom charged that Ste
sphenson had tried to blackmail his way out OF his
sprison cell.
81 Blackmal presumes demand for freedom and
the threat of some weapon which those at whom II
lis leveled might stand in fear.
The public knows, too, that the grand jury met
with obstacles at every step In its inquiry.
Witnesses fed from the State when word of
heir subpoenas reached them. The former partner
rof Stephenson remained away from the state LOT
-four weeks returning without explanation. he was
last seen before he left in company with q law
syer for Stephenson. presumably Tor MIN, anu
saw the same first Oh his return to report 70
the Attorney General of the State
girl who had been the conhdant Of Stephen
son and the custodian of means of entrance to his
gsafety deposit box away for week.
lawyer who defended Stephenson in his muir
sder trial tells the world that he had seen such
documents and that there were many of them.
r II the Legislature does nothing else, it should
conduct an inquiry into ell these matters, with its
witnesses out in the open that the people may
9know and may see them they testify.
q If there be evidence, not Of crime, but of IN
eftness for Office there should be the proper rem
"edies for the situation.
1t would be unfortunate if the history OF the
highway cases of two years ago furnished prece-
dent
= The people remember that when legislative
Mprobe of that body proposed, the excuse for
= inaction was that the Marion County grand jury
: had the matter under inquiry.
= 1t remembers that indictments we're returned
but that no trials have yet occurred despite the
< demands Of those accused for trial.
& That history must not be repeated, let 1t be
j. hoped. The people want the truth. The Legisla-
rtture has full and complete power to Investigate
@every State department. Surely enough Of them
Z have heard from their constituents with enough
y emphasis to convince them that the people want
: probe a real one, out in the open.
! They need these facts before properly passing
rson any legislation granting further power or CIV
& ing money to any official beyond that fixed by
:. present statutes.