The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-01
AND YET AGAIN

Two months have passed since there came from
the prison cell of one D. c. Stephenson
political of Indiana the cry that he could furnish
documentary proof Of corruption in elections and in
high places
Whatever the Marion County grand jury may
have found, or not found, in its probe of these
charges is immateria
For if there was needed any proof to convince
the public that there basis of truth behind
that blatant cry from cell, denomnated by the
Attorney General of this State as attempt to
"blackmai his way freedom it has been furnished
by the continual effort to thwart and block the in
quiry of the jury.
From the very start the jury seems to have been
significantly unfortunate in securing the presence of
witnesses it desired to question.
First there was the hasty departure from this
city Of Mildred Meade, the cont1dante of
Stephenson. She remained away from the city, so
securely hidden that even her own family did not
know her whereabouts
Then disappeared one Julian, the former bust
ness partner of the convict, who remained away
for weeks, his wife procaiming each day that she
did not know where he was
He came back after weeks of travel in distant
parts, appearing just after an election.
There were those two former officials of the
secret hooded order who were sought for weeks and
who mysterously disappeared from their homes in
this city and as mysterously were brought back.
And now the head of one of the great utilities
finds it convenient to leave his business and to lose
himself so completely that his secretary says that
she does not know where he is. The grand jury,
quite by coincidence course is DESTROYS of asking
him few questions.
The public will be less technical than the courts
in asking questions. 1t will waive some of the
barriers thrown about court inquiry and ask why
it happens that those sought by this inquiry find
that they have business outside the State when they
are wanted here
The public WILL and rightly ask whether there
is any connection between these absences and the
meeting of the grand jury-and WILL possibly I'M
fortunately and probably wisely, form it's con-
clusions.
Were not these disappearance enough, it may
be well to recall the incidents following the ex-
plosion Of the Stephenson charges.
The public has not forgotten that for five days
no state official denied any charge, but that the
power of the Governor was turned toward pre-
venting visit to Stephenson by six State Senators
in whose permit had been asked.
The public still remembers that the board Of
trustees of the penitentiary hastily met at the bed
side of of its members and formally passed
oution approving the act of Warden DAILY in refusing
the Senators, although a peculiarly selected Federal
officer found difficulty in gaining admission,
did this Julian, who became fugitive after his
versaton with the convict
The public remembers, ALSO that there was no
demand for any investigation until it was forced by
Col. Theodore Roosevelt, who refused to speak until
such pledge had been made and given.
These but few Of the things which the
public still has in mind and which the Legislature
may find most interesting.
At least it is presumed that the Legislature will
take some such interest, purely in the way of pre-
venting repetltions 1t might with good cause in
vestgate the conduct of the board prison trustees
and the reasons for passing rule which had not
been found necessary until Stephenson became
convict and which has, apparently been applied only
in his
If it should fail to take official action the people
will not wait for court proceedings upon which to
form their Judgment.
They have other evidence which will probably
be just satisfying in reaching their own verdict