The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-04-25
Those Clean Hands

serve the political interests WIN Wnlcn he
has been allied in the past in their effort to
"stop Hoover"
lie has some very interesting statements
to make on his arrival None is more inter
esting than his assertion that he comes with
"clean hands"
Of course, his declaration that he has made
no bargains with candidates for the Senate or
the goyernorship will interest several gentle
men, who thought they have such under
standings with him.
That will interest most of all Boss Coffin
in this county and DR.. E. S. Shumaker, who
are interested in Arthur Robinson to the ex-
clusion Of all else and support Watson only on
the theory of a reciprocity Of favors
They will undoubtedly very accurately in
terpret the statement Of Watson as indicating
that Watson has found that Robinson is too
heavy handicap in this race and has tossed
him overheard. Unless, of course, they believe
that Watson was not speaking the exact truth
when he says he has no alliances.
But the clean hands of Watson furnish the
humor of the present campaign.
The people Of this State know that at any
time he desired or wished, Watson could have
saved his party from Stephensonism, Klanism,
Cofinism.
The people know that the Watson machine
Of two years ago which sent him back to the
Senate with a most doubtful certificate OF vic
tory, was composed very largely Of those who
went into power with Stephenson, and that
Watson at that time was working with these
men.
There is ample evidence that Watson con-
sidered Stephenson most valuable ally to his
fortunes and that he held at least one long pri-
vate conference with him in advance of the
appointment OF Federal judges for this State
Two years ago when the State was demand
ing investigations, Senator Watson, then as
now, declared that there had been no political
crimes.
1t will be recalled that when Jackson and
Walb finally were forced by Col. Theodore
Roosevelt to deny their guilt, Watson changed
between six and nine clock in the evening
his statement that there has been no sin to
one Of rampant demands for inquiry.
1t will be recalled, too, that in his campaign
Of two years ago and in the present cam
paign, Watson depends upon George Coffin to
deliver the votes in this county and that he
is the political playmate Of all the bad boys
in the party.
Watson now says, very correctly, that the
crimes which have been committed in his State
h. ~, 10 he
That is true as applies to the men and
women who vote that ticket from principle.
1t is not true as it affects the party leader
ship, which is the same today as it was when
the men who committed these crimes went into
office.
And think Of the crimes political all Of
them.
There is Governor jackson, escaping
prison by the statute of limitations. His offer
of Il bride was for political purposes which had
as their design the building of the machine
which conquered and which is now the bull
wark Of Watson strength.
There is Coffin still in charge of the cleo
ton machinery, who escapes trial on the same
statement of facts.
There was Duvall, under sentence for the
corruption of elections and driven from office.
There is Walb, his State chairman of two
years, ago on trial in a Federal court.
What has Watson done to clean the party
leadership which he asserts and maintains is
his as the |'favorite SOM"
What has he done to insure the people of
the State that there will be an honest election
in Marion County?
What has he offered as means Of purging
the party leadership of its corrupt influences
and its criminal cogs?
We'll, Of course he has publicly unloaded
Arthur Robinson by disavowing the alliance
which has existed for the past two years. That
is something to his credit.