The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-07-14
The Issue Is Clear

D. c.. Stephenson, then the head of the Ku-
Klux Khan in Indiana and engaged in build
ing up his invisible government.
The explanation of the Governor is that
this sum was paid him for horse.
1t is quite conceivable that Stephenson
knew his Shakespeare and found himself as
did Richard the Third who needed horse.
Richard, according to the immortal Will
liam, prayed ga horse, horse, my kingdom
for horse"
Or possibly he was familiar with Mis-
souri, history, Jesse James, you remember,
had horse.
The issue is now clear, plain and open.
The note written by Stephenson as he was
preparing for his residence in Michigan City
declares that this check was one-fourth OF
ten thousand dollars given to Jackson per-
sonally for the Jackson primary expense.
The two explanations of the check are
now matter of record.
They are susceptible of proof The Gov
ernor had horse. 1t was, perhaps, senti-
mentally called "The Senator" This may
be the horse.
There should be no obstacles in the way
of determining whether this horse had
fair and reasonable value of $4,000.
There can be few objections on the part
of Stephenson or the Governor, to disclosing
all the facts surrounding that horse, its
pedigree, its value, the worth OF the saddle
and equipment which went into the bargain.
There should be no difficulty in establish
ing all the facts and forever closing the lips
of Stephenson
If Floyd Christian was mistaken as to
the existence of another check for $4,000,
which he says was shown him by Stephenson
at the time he saw this check, that, too can
be and should be brought out into the OPEN
1t is unfortunate that the Governor,
months ago, did not take the public into his
confidence concerning this transaction,
When the grand jury was hunting for
documents, it scarcely seems possible that ne
could have forgotten such an important busl-
ness transaction.
It will be remembered that The Times,
months ago, produced statements from two
photographers who had made copies of this
cheek
It will be remembered that these wit
nesses were brought, at State expense, to
this county to testify concerning it and that
the grand jury, then under the direction OF
special prosecutors who drew $1,000 from
the contingent fund of the Governor, consld-
cred it important enough to pursue
The Governor, at that time, could easily
have stopped the search. He could have told
them what he now tells without the months
of distrust and suspicion that have followed
policy of silence.
There is nothing undignifed in the sale
Of a $4,000 horse. Stephenson at that time
was in financial position, as were few men,
TO indulge in such luxuries, if he wanted
horse or needed one.
At that time the Governor had an easy
approach to the grand jury. The Attorney
General of the State, the prosecuting attor-
ney, the entire citizenship, all were eager TO
save Indiana from the bad reputation which
it was gaining abroad.
But that is past. The people OF this
State may as well face the situation clearly.
This State has suffered for years from
it's reputation for sinister politics and bad
government
That has hurt the State financially. AT
snv time that burden could have been lifted
by an aroused and enlightened citizenship.
Instead the cancerous growth has been
allowed to tester beneath the surface.
The Times has not been happy IN the
work of presenting to the public the needed
facts which will create that interest and
force into the light the truth.
No physician attempts to cure cancer
with talcum powder. That has been the rem
edy in this State for the political sore.
A major operation is required, made es-
sential by the policy of silence of the past
few months.
That operation should be full publicity
before body which can make public all the
facts. That body is the State Legislature,
which now must repent the fact that the