The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-02-03
THAT INVESTIGATION


Rather strange that there should be need of
any considerable delay or even discussion of the
resolution now before the House demanding in
vestgation of certain charges against officials of
the State.
The people of this State have demanded in
quiry in the open, that will either disclose the guilt
or furnish a vindication.
The resolution is rather specific as to the scope
Of the inquiry and calls attention to incidents which
have ranked and disturbed the public
No one would suggest, with any wisdom, that
the Legislature start on any fishing expedition to
discover evidence.
No one would suggest, at least with any
desire to help Indiana that the Legislature resolve
itself into a searching party to delve into mere
rumors or private prejudices and private quarrels
with officials.
But there are some things which are specific
and definite concerning which there can be no de-
bate
And on these matters there should be no divided
vote on party lines to their necessity
That investigation is not partisan matter 1t
is one in which there should be effort to either
prosecute or to shield Neither party holds
monopoly of honesty and virtue. Neither party is
without its vices and its betrayers.
But these facts do stand out as certain and
definite and should be cleared:
Indictments we're returned two years ago against
members of the highway commission. They have
not been tried. The members under indictment
charge that the indictments the work of po-
litcal enemies in another State board Such situa-
ton, if true, is intolerable. If board is falsely
accusing other boards, it is unfit to function. If
not to be entrusted with the expenditure of millions
of dollars year.
A legislative inquiry to discover whether the
State is suffering and has suffered from political
manipuations to again control of huge funds is i'm
peratve.
That resolution calls attention to the recent
probe by the Marion County grand jury into the
charges of graft and corruption relayed from the
prison cell of D. c. Stephenson.
The State has an interest in that investigation
since the people paid several thousands of dollars
from the contingent fund of Governor Ed Jackson
for the cryptic by the jury itself that
unusual conditions prevailed within that jury.
That jury lasted for weeks. 1t commonly
rumored that four of the jurors wanted to return
indictments. Three of the battery of prosecutors
save public statements declaring that in their opinion
the Jury should have returned indictments.
Nothing has been done. The evidence was
promptly impounded for the use of the present
grand jury. That body has indicated no particular
desire to reopen the inquiry.
The people have right to know what evidence
brought before that grand jury.
The circumstances and the news reports were
such as to an unusual interest in its actions
Witnesses disappeared when wanted There had
been very successful and maintained effort to pre-
vent six State Senators from interviewing Stephen.
in his cell
There had been public statements by witnesses
later called before the grand jury that they had
seen documents of the sort which the man who
once boosted that he the law in Indiana" adj
mitedly its greatest political force said that he
could produce.
These not rumors nor heresay nor mere
gossip. They are admitted facts from the records
Into these matters the Legislature has not only
right but a duty to inquire.
There is every reason why it should investigate
and none why it should argue endeavor to dismiss
the whole matter as politics"
There can be no politics about it. There can
be no real reason why every legislator should not
be as anxious to reassure the people of the State
that the accusations are false. if they believe them
TO be false. If they believe them to be true there
is more reason why they should vote and vote
unanimously for an inquiry into them.
No one desires an excursion into the muck of
"ossip. Every demands determined investiga.
ton into matters that have impressed the people Of
their own institutions