The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-07-01
This May Be the AnszCer
BY Gibson Gardr

Are the American people afflicted with spiritual
sleeping sickness?" asks William Allen White in
letter to the Peoples Legislative Service.
The great Kansas editor has noted what others
have noted, namely that there appears to be littla
interest in reform" so-called or In politics. or in
progressive policies. The people seem to worship
stability, and to it in the political world would
seemingly even accept presidential third term and
perpetuaton of Coolidge
White asks: "Is it prosperity Is it the disilu-
sion that follows every war? The loss of faith and
hope and love which comes from debacle of saugh-
ter and lying and larceny?"
There will be many answers to Whites inquiry
And part of the truth will be found in the ausion
to prosperity and the war; But there is more in the
situation than good business and the mental stale
ness which followed the emotional debauch Of war
The public mind Is nearing normalcy and business
after ALL is coed mostly for those who have it, There
is another reason why the great American people
whose favorte diversion in other times was saving
the country now Indifferent to clarion calls.
The two-party system of government has failed,
and the people have no longer any part in their
government nor any control over it. At least they
have very little control over it. They do not control
elections, or nominations and therefore there is no
real force in the ballot.
There is no use prodding in the back ln-
less you can show him where to CO. There is no use
urging him to get excited unless you point a
remedy.
In the days of the two-party systen-by which
we mean III Ine Gays Wnen Cnere real p0litt
cal parties responsive to the votes of the people-t
was always possible to cry with Samuel j. Tilden:
Turn the raScalS out"
they were Republican "rascals" the voters could
vote in the good men Of the Democracy or if they
were Democratic "rascals the Republicans would do
the turning out
But there is no longer any opposition party. Re-
ligon, prohibition, prejudice and the difference
between liberal and tory have rendered the Demo-
cratic party null and void. 1t is hopeessly split.
Even in presidential contest the party longer
choose candidate but permits the same group that
runs the Republican machine to set up of straw
What is the use of turning these raScals out
and putting these rascals in?
The Progressive party suffered the fate OF a
party which had leaders, but organization. Roose-
velt betrayed It, and La Toilette died The amateurs
who tried to start party in 1920 failed by
of their amateurism If their well-meaning efforts at
Chicago had been successful there might today be
party of the opposition to dispute third term with
Coolidge.
in the Socialist party But war prejudice killed the
Socialist party.
Now there is nothing but the little Republican
group-Senators and national committeemen-who
cam and doubtless will, nominate Coolidge for third
term.
The nomination becomes equivalent to an cleo
ton.
The voters? Asleep?
Not necessarily But after the strrer-up has raved
and torn his hair and viewed with alarm what is the
voter asked to do?
Until some one can show a way out he might
as we'll reserve his excitement for the ball game and
his interest for his business.
We have our dictatorship of the Morgan ariat