The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-11-15
Only One Step

All citizens are interested in what happens
inside the organization of either of the two
great political parties, because it is through
political parties that our government is OBJ
tanned
Especially the independent voters in
terested in what happens in the Republican
party because for number of years this party
has had the larger number of voters who ap-
parently accept the nominations of that party
as their own.
That is the reason that the voters are very
much interested in the announcement that
Chairman Clyde Walb will very shortly re-
sign.
His announcement came on the day follow
ing the publication in The Times of a letter
showing that Walb had taken very active
part in securing parole for T. Guy Perfect,
who had been sentenced to the penitentiary
for crime against a 14-year-old girl.
The circumstances were at least peculiar.
The clemency had been denied by the board Of
pardons which Governor Jackson had abolished
by the Legislature, in itself backward step in
the opinion of those who have. studied crime
The parole had been denied by the prison
board which succeeded in power to grant
mercy to convicts.
But Walb then interested himself and it may
or may not be significant that his interest in
the matter conceded in time with the pur-
chase of stock in his private company by
brothers of the man for whom he pleaded.
Then there was quick reversal Of opinion
and the man who had been sentenced and
whose sentence was confirmed by the Supreme
Court very quickly obtained his freedom.
It is somewhat suggestive that the letter on
which the plot to secure this parole was re-
corded was written upon the stationery of the
Republican State committee and that it con-
tanned the plea, printed of course, to "Think
with Lincoln, Mckinley, Harrison, Roosevelt,
Harding and COOLIDGE
The one purpose of that printed plea was to
appeal to the partisan entiments of the voters
who might receive letters from the party chair
man.
It may occur to the voters Of that party that
the use Of this plea in such matter as this
is not at all complimentary to the memory of
the men who are revered as their party leaders
and idols.
Tt is not conceivable that Lincoln would
use the Republican party to either sell stock
in private concern or to secure the liberty
of man who was serving time for crime
against very young girl
1t is hardly thinkable that Roosevelt
would use his political power for any such pur-
pose or that Coolidge would approve the use
of his name as mask for any such purpose.
The incident, if it suggests nothing else,
should call to attention the fact that the voters
of the political parties have some responsible
ity in the matter Of selecting those who use the
name of their party.
The selection of committeeman and women
is quite as important as the nominees for pub
lie office, for it is through them that the party
organization is finally perfected.
If there is to be a cleanup in this State,
it is essential that the twopolitical parties have
leadership which will not misuse their power
The resignation of Walb, when it comes,
should be but one step. These committees are
powerful. Merely changing from Walb to
some one named by Watson to whom Walb
gave first allegiance, or to the enemies Of Wat
son, who have shown no greater regard for
the public welfare or for decencies, will not
answer.
Perhaps the time has come when the voters
in the Republican party will decide that they
will control their own organization and make it
stand for principle and not for plumber.
The price of good government is constant
interest and watchfulness.
It is up to the men and women of both par
ties to see that their organizations are headed
by men who really believe in their principles
and who are not intent upon using the names
Of great men of the past as cloak for their
own sinister ambitions.