The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-05-14
THE GRAVER CHARGE

Whether or not the head of the. Anti-Saloon
League Of this State has placed himself in contempt
of the Supreme Court can be left to that court to
determine.
To that court can also be left the larger ques-
ton Of how far 1t can interfere with the right of
free speech where that right is abused by the
utterance Of false and malicious statements.
Remedies are provided for the abuse OF this
privilege, but the privilege itself is that has been
purchased at too great cost to be discarded or re-
stricted for any reason
But in his statement to that court the At
tor1ey General of this State has made a much
graver charge against the head of the AnttSaloon
League.
He charges IN effect that this man has abused
the confidence Of the church people of this State,
has lied to them for the purpose of obtaining polit
cal power, has endeavored to established himself
and has established himself as a super government
ia Indiana
He charges that whenever public officials fail
to obey his orders In regard to his unlawful and
arbitrary views" that he spreads lies and falsehoods.
He charges that the head Of this league seeks
10 throw aside the Constitution ITSELF accusation
which is in It's essential nature charge of anarchy.
It is matter of common knowledge that the
head Of this league endeavors to nominate and elect
every public official In the State drawing the line not
on fitness for Office not on integrity not honesty,
hut on his sole recommendation that his selections
favor prohibition.
From United States Senator to the members of
the State Legislature, this the vast power
which comes largely from the hypnotism of words
and the credulity of those who trust him.
That Watson had been a lobbyist exposed by
congressional committee means nothing if this
finds his speeches at camp meetings arid and We
hement
That Robinson Is the favorite of a political
machine which has as its allies election crooks and
gamblers and booteggers means nothing if he. serves
his wishes on one matter and only one matter
That members of the State Legislature may have
plans loot the State treasury is forgotten if they
vote for his bills without reading them.
1t means this charge that if officials fail to obey
they are subject to attack and that the Gov
eminent itself has passed from public officials to the
head of this private organization who refuses to tell
people either the source distribution of his
campaign funds.
If the matter be important enough for the Attor-
ney General to recognize in one direction it is more
important that the power of this be investigated
as It relates TO other officials of this State
That charge should be especially interesting to
those who cast their ballots in accordance with his
recommendations.
The Attorney General of the State says that he
has lied to the people who trust him
The Attorney General says that he has abused
The. confidence he has gained
TIE Attorney General says that he is building up
reign of official terrorism upon falsehood for the
purpose Of destroying the Constitution.
The remedy Of course, If the charge be true is
the enlightenment of the men and women whose
sincerity and earnestness is being misused and
abused. tH
There is no protection against falsehoods in cleo