The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-05-18
Time to Change

The courts now have the case of Mayor Duvall
and Jury, some time in the future, will declde
whether he is guilty or not of violating the corrupt
practices act.
DESPITE the published statements that such
charges are weak the people understand that the
corrupt practices acts are among the most import
ant statutes now in force
They are designed to prevent an unfair use OIL
money 70 control elections Especially they
designed to prevent secret bargains with politicianS
under which important pat onage is given in re-
turn for influence.
1t is the theory of the law that candidates for
ONCE must be frank with the voters and give them
all the important facts concerning their campaigns
and their methods Of obtaining votes
-Indianapolis has suffered, as other cities
from the practices of political parties which desire
power 1t has paid the penalty of supporting pro-
fessonal politicians who derive most OF their
power from their alliances with State and national
organizations.
The foundation of machine politics has been in
the cities where the many jobs are handed out as
rewards for political services and not on the ground
of merit or of service to the public
For every faithful employe who desires to
render actual service for his salary and who takes
pride in his own work, there is another, usually
better paid who spends most of his time in playing
he represents
Partisan politics is the real Of most of
the evils from which flow poor service rotten
streets, high taxes, government by privilege and
pull. N
Indianapolis has had about all that any good
city should stand of this sort of government.
1T has known that it has been ruled by bosses,
no matter what party has been in power 1t has
always been able to point to some one not in office
as the real ruler who dispenses privileges
The form of government makes the city an
easy prey to the boss. The boss always under
stands that he can depend upon certain per-
cenage of voters casting their ballots for each OF
the party tickets no matter who may be the
nominees
His work has been to name some one who can
be showed over through alliance he can make
with privilege seekers and job hunters.
Now Indianapolis stands ashamed of the results
of this systen-but not for long.
On June 81 the people of this city will have
chance to get rid of this partisan system of gov
eminent and supplant it with business organization
The City Manager system banishes the party
labels from city politics and with it takes away the
great power of the politicans-that certain steady
vote of the partisan who boasts that he never bolts
ticket and who takes what the bosses hand him.
The politicians alone are fighting this change
the politicians and the influences and institutions
which depend upon party politics for their power and
their plumber.
Ironically they warning the people that
change will permit the politicians to rule the city.
The people know that the politicians profess
sona ones who never have pride in
the city and who live upon the taxes Of the pro-
ducers, have ruled it and still rule it.
If that City Manager system offered an easier
way for them to rule, they would be fighting for
not against, this change.
The people cannot, conceivably be fooled by
these warnings from men who in the past have be-
trayed the best interests of the city.
Every citizen who is tired of the constant dis
repute of this city, tired Of the many of
shame, tired of the many civic abuses, tired of sup
porting political machines, will vote for the City
Manager system.
1t may be poor argument, but no system could
give results to any city than Indianapolis has
had from the present system of government.