The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-04-09
Cleaning House

Some months ago there was a very general
demand that there be house cleaning" in
Indiana politics.
There protestations Of repentance on
the part of those who had confessed seduction
by the forces of intolerance, bigOtory and graft
and pledge that there would be an entirely
''new deas-"
The Republican party was put into re
ce1gcrship for this purpose after Its former
chairman had been indicted in the Federal
Court and the Governor was blythely on his
way to a court to establish the principle that
the statute of limitations is the final safeguard
Of human liberty
Now the nominations closed and once
more the same old faces and the same old forces
are plotting to divide the decent and to retain
control of the government and operate it for
the benefit of the same old crowd.
Boss Coffin, either in person or acting
through a puppet, is fighting to control the city
and cohnty. Candidates are trading and
trafficking for his favor That should be a
warning to voters.
In the State it is still worse Once again
Senator Watson, who has had friendly lela-
tions with every official who brought disgrace
to this State, whose chief sponsor two years ago
is now under Indictment in the Federal Courts
is to be made the tissue.
There is no one who does not know that at
any time he desired, Watson could have stopped
the whole conspiracy that brought shame to In
diana
There never time in the past few years
that have Inundated Indiana that Watson could
not have checked the raid upon the people and
upon decency.
Two years ago he had his secret deal with
Senator Arthur Robinson, who branded himself
when he declared in the Senate that birds of
a feather flock together"
The birds in the Robinson flock are well
known
He focked with Stephenson to the extent
that Stephenson sent pearl necklace as a
token of gratitude and high esteem.
He focked with Ora Davies. former State
treasurer who acted as his campaign manager
two years ago Davies is now awaiting trial for
taking commissions on State funds from banks
He focked with Coffin and boosted that Cof-
fin was his friend, even after Coffin was indicted
on the charge of cOnspring to offer bride to
Governor McCray
He now Aocks with George Poland collector
Of customs, who acts as his advisory chairman.
OF whom more later.
He focked with jackson, who appointed
him, the same jackson who made record as
Governor by pleading the statute of limita-
ton as bar to conviction for offering the
bride to DIcCray
And the indianapolis newspapers which
Joined The Times months back in the fight for
decency, after The Times had exposed the
graft and corruption are now finding the CAP
ture Of the Republican delegates for Watson
sufficient excuse for permitting Coffin and Rob
inson and others of like character to again re-
tain office
In the race for gOvernorship there is even
less evidence Of desire to clean house
There are ten candidates. There is one who
should receive the Endorsement unanimously
If there were sincerity in the demand for new
deal. That candidate is Tom Adams
In the other nine, there are but two who
would not be wholly acceptable to the old
gangsters and the%old conspirators
That is the discouraging picture 1t is
picture which is being painted by politicians.
The hope is that there will be enough men
and women in the Republican party who are
tired of bigotry, tired of shame and corruption,
tired Of the old gang tactics, tired of the mis-
rule of the bosses, who will see to it that Ar
thur Robinson does not 60 back to the Senate
and that the candidate for Governor is not an
''undercover kid for the same old gang.
TIL 4o.nn al TTn.a;4no 90