The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-21
A LEGISLATIVE PROBE

The suggestion at the conference OF Democra'ic
erobors Of the Legislature that the whole Stephen
son scandal and all its incidents be probed twill
meet with hearty response from the public
The people are entitled to know what aid or
what hindrance was given to the local grand jury
when it started its investigation
The events are too recent to be forgotten and
there have been so many spectacular Incidents, out
side of actual crime which should be explained
A public and open hearing before fair com
nittee of the Legislature might accomplish this
In this aspect let it be hoped that the conference
of Republican Senators, hastily called by Chairman
Walb and Lieutenant Governor Ivan Orman does
not suggest an effort to check full inquiry
The people, for example, are entitled to know
why for five days after Stephenson had declared
that he had documentary proof of corruption in 1874
of graft in high places, of betrayal OF the people
interests by officials every effort was mace 10
cloak and hide that announcement
They may wish to inquire why it was that The
Times was the only Indianapolis newspaper which
printed the facts although it was printed IN every
other city in the country
They NAV wish to know why 1t was that news
paper men and six State Senators were refused
permission to interview Stephenson In his cell at a
time when he had said he was ready to make puphc
his proof.
They certainly will wish to know why it was
that the trustees of the penitentary body created
nv the Legislature and under its control, met at
the bedside of one of its members and solemny
passed a resolution approving the barring Vi al
visitors from the penitentiary.
The Legislature may wish to know why a rule
was mt into force when Stephenson was made
nrisoner that had never existed before rule whcn
prevented newspaper men from Intervening prls-
oners In the previous years OF history Oh tne
prison no such rule in effect 1t was adopteu
when Warden Fogarty removed and. Stephenson
was given a number.
The Legislature might find it interesting TO-
trace the events which permitted Julian former
partner of Stephenson to enter that prison When all
others we're barred and to leave it to become
wanderer for month while the grand jury waited
his pleasure in returning. 1t may be remembered
that Julian IN open court declared that he feared
n answer questions which might incrminate him-
salf Vet he was permitted to talk to this CONVICT
once the pojtical ruler of Indiana, who, says the
attorney general was then trying to blackinah LIS
way to liberty
The sending over the wires of faxed inter
view with Judge Fred C. Cause, special prosecutor
and close friend of the attorney general to news
naper in Michigan City at time when an effort
was being made to get those papers, an interview
which was calculated to- promise Stephenson MS
freedom is not to be overlooked
Ihe people dle eh'i'i0N ="
renorter TO Judge" Cause as the only lawyer in this
CITY to give a legal opinion pending case-and
then distoVt his words.
The open charge of Alvah J. Rucker' corporation
counsel of this city, that the corporations con-
tributed large sums to the campaign OF Governor
Jackson needs either proof or denial If 1t is true
the Legislature should know it. If is false the
Governor and the State should not rest under sucn
a charge
The Legislature has important matters before
it. but it has none which are so important as a real
inquiry into the government of the State
Indiana has had too much bad advertisement
if the charges are untrue If they are true ana wen
founded it has too much bad government
The suggestion of Senator Chambers should he
adopted as a policy not only by Democrats but by
Renubcans who wish to redeem the name OF their
own party Let's probe and probe deep