The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-05
Giving More Reason


If the blind, obstinate attitude Of Mayor
Duvall and his defiance of the sentiment OF the
city furnishes one reason for special session
of the Legislature, the actions Of the majority
members of the city council clinches it.
A special session of the Legislature could
restore to the people the right to get 1mmed-
lately the form of government which they have
already voted.
The last Legislature took away that right
when the local bosses, very important part OF
the State machine, demanded this law and got
it from the Legislature and the Governor
Right now, had the employment Of Duvall
been on the same basis as private business is
operated, he would be out Of Office and the new
form Of government would be at least in the
making.
If the Governor needs any other reason than
the demand of the City Manager committee for
a special session of the Legislature to give
Justice to this city, the actions of the council
members this week supplies it.
There is threat from one of the members,
Boynton j. Moore, that he would bring i'm
parchment proceedings against the mayor. He
asks for an adjourned session of the council
in order that the attorney, Sumner Clancy,
whom he had engaged for this purpose could
prepare the documents.
In that twenty four hours of delay i'm
portant changes are made in city departments.
The father-in-law of Moore is given Job for
which he is disqualified under the ordinances.
Other city employees are shifted by the
mayor, or with his consent, to meet the de-
mands and the wishes Of the councilmen and
with no regard for the decent operation and
conduct of city business,
The only person who showed any decent
regard for the city was Virgil Vandagrifft, who
established precedent that could be followed
with profit by the mayor and others higher
up when he declared that no man who is called
upon to defend his liberty in courts can serve
the people well.
There is peculiar tenderness and consid-
Grafton for one Robert McNay, politician Of the
sort that inspires little confidence. He holds one
JOB for twenty-four hours and then is given
another which requires by ordinance, qualifca-
lions which he readily admits he does not
possess.
One member Of the council, Edward Raub,
openly tainted Moore and his associates with
what would amount in private business to
blackmail.
This is the sad picture of the chaos of mat
tiers at the city hall. It is the logical and ex-
pected condition Of Duvallism.
This city deserves better than this. 1t should
be rid not only OF Duvall but of the council
men who are showing themselves in an even
less favorable light than that in which The
mayor stands, and he has reached what was
thought to be about the lowest levels of polit-
zeal degradation.
It is now demonstrated that there are
depths below the subcellar Of politics in this
city.
Every person who voted for the City Man
ager form of government should appeal to the
Governor at once.
An organization by precincts and wards
should march upon his office and demand that
special session.
The hour demands an old-time petition in
boots that would demonstrate that this city is
in earnest and refuses to be treated as the
private property of spoilsmen.
Those who are too busy to march could at
least call the Governor on the telephone and
tell him that they want action.
That same pressure should be put upon
every member Of the Legislature. They should
be told that their one chance to show that they
were merely ignorant and timid when they
obeyed the bosses last winter and not venal
and part of the whole scheme, is to demand
that special session.