The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-01-19
PROBE NOT POLITICAL

I. ONLY bv the most nexact use of words could the
nrobe suggested and demanded of the State Legis
lature be called political.
y is unfortunate that the Democratic party is
compelled to sponsor the resolution calling for all
investigation of State affairs and OF ofclals OF COIL
missions and grand jures, Of scandals ana OIL rumors
that have gained the dignity of accusation
Far better would it have been had the party
which has been in power for the past few years bold
" and courageously given to the people such an in
ouiry and accepted the responsibility Of assuring the
neone or of Graduating evils which have existed
or which still exist
To call an investigation of events in this State
a political probe is merely subtle method OF dis
credit upon what is demanded by citizens without re-
gard to party.
There are no party lines in virtue in honor, in
integrity and there are political divisions in dis
honor dishonesty in betrayal
But the State has witnessed so many things
that require explanation, so many events that have
occurred since prisoner from his cell blazoned MS
charges of corruption of which he declared himself
to have been part that the people have lost faith
in government itself
There was amazement when denial came from
anv source when the former ruler of the State made
his charge and there was shame that no such denial
was made until son of the great Roosevelt came
and demanded one
There was doubt and suspicion when every power
of government was used to prevent State Senators
and reputable newspaper owners seeing this prl5
oner and obtaining from him the proof he declared
possessed.
There was more doubt when the board which
controls the State penitentiary held hasty meeting
an imperative one seemingly, to ndorse new rule
which would permit the warden to hold this prisoner
in his cell and away from Interrogation
There has been disgust and doubt and suspicion
for than two years, with two State boards
hurting charges at each other, charging each other
with various forms of corruption.
The highway commission charges that its head
and one of it's members we're indicted by framed
charges-and they trace that allegation to another
board of the State
When the grand jury met in this city to invest-
gate the charges given to the public by Thomas
Adams, and ether charges of corruption more than
two hundred witnesses were called.
Some of those witnesses had made public state
ments and if their testimony behind locked doors
similar to those statements they gave evidence
of corruption of suspicious circumstances.
The verdict of the grand jury itself, its most APP
parent division, the pubic statements of three pros
ecutors that there had been evidence sufficient to
return indictments gave more ground for suspicion
Inc peculiar ana significant report OF the jury IL
self called attention to unusual circumstances in that
grand jury
The people have reason to lose faith il ancient
an institution the grand jury places itself under
suspicion and invites comment by the very wording
Of its report
These things not politics. They are govern
ment. They reach to the very foundation of all our
Institutions.
They affect the public mind and public opinion.
They acct tic pocietbooGs and the public welfare
Let it be toged that tsere will be no political
lacs GTcIn in aucn an inquiry. eitle1 as The
ssiiy for ore i'll lis conduct if there should be
one
Instead let there be purpose to give the peo-
pie all the facts If the charges, grave and disturb
ing are false the people have right to know
II they be true the people will have their
chance and their opportunity to right them in their
own way and that way is not necessarily an over
throw Of enc political party in favor of another
The object of the search should be the truth in
the open so that those who run may read