The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-01-12
LAWS OR FACTS?

LAWS OEC EACIO!
OF what use to pass laws if they are to be
overturned and twisted and thwarted by those who
betray their trust?
The finest system in the world IN the hanus VI
dishonest men becomes the worst menace.
The State might have the best of laws IL judged
only by their words and intent and be the most mis-
governed If those laws were ntrusted for enforce
ment to men who only used them for their own pur-
poses
The members of the Legislature might well con-
slider whether it is greater duty to enact new laws
or TO discover whether njusces of various sorts and
kinds have been due not to the lack OF laws, but 10
the manner in which these laws have been used
It will not do to say that the fame ana reputa'
ion Of the State will suffer honest and fearless
investigation of It's administration were conducted
by the lawmakers of the State.
It will not do to say that dragging into the light
Of all the people of all the facts concerning scandals
which have rocked this State will hurt the State.
What will hurt this State is to smother and to
cover and to dodge.
What will hurt more is to leave the people of
this State in the belief that place and no officials
will protect their rights
Respect for law and government has suffered
sadly in this State in recent years.
It is rather cruel joke that fame in this State
is often followed by prison stripes.
It is no pleasant thought that Indiana has suf-
fered often, and long from betrayals OF various
kinds and of various degrees.
We have boards snarling at each other with
charges and probably all telling the truth
We have had the sad spectacle of a convict at
tempting to blackmail his way to freedom if the
ATTORNEY General of the State tells the truth-and
no official showing any particular zeal in endeavor-
ing to discover whether his weapons were real or
the Pigments Of imagination.
We have had the spectacle Of State Senators
being refused admitance to the prison cell of this
convict and a State board solemnly approving this
Representation Of man denounced as blackma,er.
We have watched grand jury through months
Of fruitless search being hwarted at every turn by
some series Of condolences and with witnesses dis
appearing most opportunity when that grand jury
tried to find them
We have found a grand jury reporting and sug-
costing to the court that unusual conditions pre-
vailed in it's deliberations and no official inquiry as
to what those conditions
We have had before us the constant suggestion
that the expenses of that grand jury investigation,
including the fees OF special advisers, paid from
he special fund of the Governor of this state.
We have listened to the charge that one of the
most important bodies of this State the public
ce commission, formed through the influence
bf huge campaign contribution and the official who
We have listened, most Of ALL to statements by
reputable and women who that they
had seen documents in the hands of the former
ezar of Indiana now convict and that he had them
photographed.
OF what use for these members of the Legisa-
lure to solemnly pass laws for these officials
and boards to administer while the public does
bot know whether these charges are truths bels?
Surely no who is innocent will fear a full
Ind complete investigation of every charge every
lccusation every suspicion.
1t would seem that the minority party in this
State is, should be, particularly interested in see
Ing that such an investigation is held and held at
bnce.
Probably that is what the return to the fighting
Front Of former Senator Taggart, long leader but
more recently in advisory position, means when
be entertained the members of the Legislature who
belong to his party.
Possibly the people may hope that he inspired
hem to the idea that the duty of every legislator
Is at present to get facts and not law and that
hey left his banquet tables inspired to the high sense
pf this duty
There is still time for the majority party which
Hhould welcome the chance to vindicate and ex-
pnerate it's own administration, to act.
II it fails, will the minority take up the battle
or the peoples rights have just two Of those
hings?"