The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-09-08
Others Are Watching

The ewes of the nation are upon this State
and especially are they upon Governor Ed
jackson and his next move.
The great newspapers of the country are de-
handing, as are the people Of this State, that
action now supplant words.
The issue is clear and unequlvocal.
The Times printed the definite statement that
on December s, 1923, Ed Jackson, then secre-
tarv of State and now Governor, jeff con-
ference in his own Office attended by George ".
Coffin and one other, went to Warren T. Nc,
Crav then Governor, and offered him jury
that would not convict and $4,000 for attor-
news fees in his defense, if he would name the
selection Of Coffin as prosecutor OF this county.
The office Of prosecutor is an important as
set to any political boss, especially If his fol-
lowers show an inclination to disregard cleo
ton laws
Jackson at the time was planning to become
Governor He had been announced as the Khan
candidate at monster mass meeting held at
the State fairgrounds the week before this
date t@t
The Governor has said that the facts alleged
by The Times constitute bribery and bribery is
crime. He has denied in the most general
terms He has brought in the name OF BISHOP
H. H. Fout now head Of the Antl-Saloon
League. as the man who suggested that he
intercede with McCray in behalf OF Mcdonald,
the man desired by Coffin.
The Times has asked that the Governor go
before the grand jury and repeat under oath
what he wrote to the editor Of this newspaper
or send to- that body waiver OF any claim to
defense under the statute Of limitations.
Today the Governor announces that he has
nothing further to say.
What the nation thinks about this whole
matter can be judged from an editorial in the
st. Louis Post Dispatch, one of the leading
newspapers Of the nation and notably keen in
its comment on public affairs
In an editorial under the caption OF Me-
Cray Witness it says:
While HOLSTERS probably agree that ex-Gov-
ernor McCray has been sufficiently punisned
their present exultaton his release from
< Federal prison is undoubtedly occasioned by
motives not entirely atruistic. They are
curious to know what he is going 70 tell the
Indianapolis grand jury about the most sensa-
tional story yet disclosed in the nvestlgatlon
of Khan corruption in Indiana.
n all came about because Boyd Gurey
editor of the Scripps- Howard Indianapolis
Times is unusually enterprisng and daring
Journalist. For some months he has been
looking into the political history Of Indiana
during the time d. c. Stephenson was grand
dragon of the State Khan and boss OF the State
government Out of this investigation Mr.
Gurley got the data for the charge that Ed
jackson, present Governor of Indiana, but then
secretary of State, offered Governor McCray
$4,000 and immunity from prosecution in State
courts, in case the Governor would agree to
appoint Stephensons friend prosecutor OF the
county in which Indianapolis is situated. Gov
ernor McCray said Mr. Gurley refused fatty
to do
This. charge naturally had the immedi-
ate good effect Of putting life into an investi-
CATION which seemed likely to die of pernicious
anemia Two grand juries had refused to
indict any one, but the third at once began to
display q business-like interest in this and
other charges The Indianapolis News, chief
Republican paper of the State demanded that
Governor Jackson either refute the charge or
resign his Office After a silence of several
weeks Governor Jackson has finally denied the
charges.
Now McCray is home and ready to testify,
and shall what we shall see. If he can
locate the fire beneath all the smoke which
has been coming out OF Indiana for some
months, the rejoicing will not be confined to
the banks of the Wabash $50
The Governor of this State can bring about
that national rejoicing abroad and relief at
home.
If the denial Of Governor jackson is true,
then the editor of this newspaper has been
guilty of the violation of the laws of libel
If the charge Of The Times is true, then Ed
jackson should not remain as Governor.
The Governor can get quick, public deci-
sion on the matter by following the course de-
handed by The Times.
Nationalism: Ours and Others!
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