The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-07-18
Exposed. At Last

Whatever else may happen as the result
Of the official and unofficial Investigations OF
Stephenson's political activities, certainly the
people of this State will not have an excuse
of ignorance if they again entrust the former
tools and pals and playmates. of Stephenson
with power
One of the first results should be cleaning
up of the Republican State machine.
The Republican party gets its power from
vast thousands Of men and women who believe
in its principles and who vote its ticket with
little question.
It's members want good government. It's fol-
lowers revere the names of Lincoln and Roose-
welt. They must resent, now that they know,
that the. names of such men are stolen as
livery for those who stopped to the practice
laid bare by Stephenson.
There should be some way of determining
the straight issue raised between Stephenson
and the Governor by the $4,000 check.
Stephenson, in Jail cell two years ago,
pinned to this check note declaring that 1t
was but one-fourth Of the sum he had given
the candidate personally to finance himself
into the Governor S chair.
The Governor says he bought a horse.
That leaves the question open to proof and
proof could be had by the members of the
Legislature, if they be inquisitive, and sure
ly by the Republican editors Of the State who
should be interested and who shortly will meet
in State session.
Comes now the letter, also published in The
Times which Stephenson sent to the candidate
during the campaign.
Would the Governor continue on any terms
of intimacy or friendship with man who sent
him a note reminding him that he had spent
$73,216 in the primaries if that statement had
not been correct?
Would a candidate who trusted the people
not have resented the statement that the
former head of the hooded order had at the
request of the candidate, attempted to fool
and trick the voters by financing a fake candl-
date in order to divide opposition?
What sort of candidates require such prac-s
tees and such methods? Would a man who
looks upon office as a trust and an honor, to
be given him by the thinking and decent
electorate, sanction such means?
Add to this the voluntary statement Of
Mrs. Vivian Tracey Wheatcraft, chairman of
the Republican women Of the State and the
leader Of women workers.
Her statement is that the now Governor,
then candidate, wanted certain woman
worker employed but that there was no cash
in the treasury.
She says that Immediately Stephenson ap-
pears and knows all about the request and the
situation. He writes "a check for the needed
money.
That indicates degree Of intimacy that
was unusual. 1t suggests that those who are
now in control Of the Republican party of this
State dickered and bargained and knew all
about the political activities in their behalf by
Stephenson.
1t indicates that the present control of the
party is in the hands of those whom Stephen
son made and whom he chose
Soon there will be another Governor elect
ed. 1t may be even admitted that Indiana de-
serves better than it has had.
Yet the men whom Stephenson elected to
minor positions when he was in power, men
who obtained appointments with his indorse
ment, have the stupendous nerve to believe