The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-01-05
The "NeW DeaP'

The NEW DeaF'
The fine promise that there was to be a new
deal in Republican politics in this State as
result of the disclosures in the past few months
seems to have been lost.
With the State chairman of that party I'M
der Indictment, with the Governor elected by
that party facing trial, there was demand
for something drastic.
Were it merely matter of partisan politics,
the question Of what would happen, II any
thing, would not be so important, but there is
something more than that.
There are many thousands of independent
voters in this State who desire choice between
two good tickets next year, rather than being
driven to choose between parties.
There are more thousands of voters who
additionally hold to the policies of Lincoln
and Roosevelt who are in revolt and who hope
for something more than an apology for past
deeds.
That this situation was serious is evidenced
bv the fact that Senator James Eli Watson was
announced as the dictator, largely because the
forces which are now discredited had been his
chief bulwark of strength in the past.
With the blare of great publicity, the Sen
ator was declared to be on his way home to
change the whole situation by selecting new
pilot for the party and picking candidate tor
Governor who would be so outstanding IN
character and so different from offerings IN
the past that there would not even be chal-
enge in the primaries
The Senator has come and gone and the net
result seems to be that he left orders to get
signatures to petitions which will place HIM
upon the ballot in this State as candidate Tor
President. =.
dust how the candidacy of Watson 'for
President will offer anything that is even sug-
oestive Of a "new deal'' is rather difficult to
understand
There are some things that are possible IN
this country, but that Watson will ever be
President or a candidate for President Is not
one of them.
There are depths which defy plumbing by
,tbonoht or IMAGINATION and this is one OF them
Probably no one knows his 1mposslDlllty
better than Watson himself and SO his candl-
dacv in this State can have no other purpose
than preventing the Republican voters oil lhls
State from expressing themselves, as the law
nrovides, on their preference for the presi-
dency.
The new deal is the same old deal the
keeping of the power in the hands Of politicians
and the taking Of it away from the people;
Watson. as favorite son, is to gather dele
oo+os Of his own selection and take them to the
national convention to be voted at the proper
time for some candidate that the voters OF the
State do not want.
In the meantime the party which watson
commands is left with its chairman facing
CHARGES in the Federal Court. No word IS SAID
as to what is to happen to the candidacy Oh
senator Arthur Robinson, who came into power
through the inner group which is so generally
discredited
Those who expected Senator Watson 10
show signs Of repentance are disappointed
What he seems to have done is to merely try
to run away with the tangible assets OF Oank (,
rupt political concern and take for hlmseit all
that was left in sight.
Perhaps there may come forward some real
leaders who stand for decency and honesty and
honor in politics who will go to the voters
themselves for their certificates of leadership