The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-05-17
The Birds Flock

Aside from the amusing and not very I'M
portant fight between Senators Watson and
Robinson for control of the State committee of
the Republican party in Indiana, the interest of
voters will find more Importance in the Incl
dentals.
1t is true that the old Stephenson boys, be-
lieving that they had obtained a deed to the
party, tried to move in bodily.
1t is true that Robinson, hurrying from
Washington, believed that he came as a fri
umphant Napoleon to an empire of power. He
wanted to make his empire not invisible but
very visible.
1t is also true that some Of the boys from
the sticks who have some regard for the cleo
ton Of their county tickets rather hesitated to
advertise the control of George V. Coffin so
openly and patiently. Secret control is diff
ferent.
Only two important things happened at the
meeting. The election of a chairman was not
one of these. The committee is still in control
of the same influences that disgraced Indiana
One of the significant happenings was the
fact that it was George V. Coffin, freed from
Indictment for bribery by the intervention of
the statute of limitations, who led Robinson
into the committee room after the caucus.
The Senator still focks with his own kind
of birds.
The other was the fact that the State COM
mittee has arranged for a speech by Governor
Ed Jackson at the State convention next week.
Here is either piece of moron bravado or
the most blatant defiance of public conscience.
Governor jackson, even though two months
have passed, will be remembered for the plea
of the statute Of limitations made in his be-
half on charge of attempting to bride War
rem T. McCray when Governor to name vassal
Of George Coffin as prosecuting attorney.
It is quite probable that had the bride
been TAKEN the selection would not have been
the man named in the first instance. But it
would have been Coffin man, good "for ten
thousand votes in the primaries. "
Every decent Republican in the State has
demanded his resignation. The churches, the
civic organizations, the aroused conscience has
said that he should resign.
The history Of that case may we'll be re-
called, for it was The Times which exposed the
incident
The charge, as substantiated by evidence
Of credible witnesses at the jackson trial
showed that jackson, then secretary of State,
met with George V. Coffin and summoned the
paymaster of the political division Of the Ku-
KIux Khan and asked for $4,000 with which
to bride McCray.
The evidence showed that the trio first
sent Fred Robertson, closest friend of McCray,
to the then Governor and told him of the offer
and linked the money with the further offer of
immunity before any jury, State or Federal, on
charges which were then pending and which
were to send McCray to prison cell.
The evidence showed that McCray refused
to surrender, even under such conditions, the
State Of Indiana to the powers of evil, and re-
fused.
The evidence showed that following this
refusal jackson himself went to McCray and
repeated the offer and, when refused, returned
stealthily later in the day and suggested that
he could put the money in the desk while the
Governor was out of the office.
The evidence showed that after the first
jackson refusal, Stephenson, then fighting with
Evans for the control of the organization of
hate, went to the attorney for McCray and re-
peated the offer.
That was the evidence which was before
jury when attorneys for jackson pleaded the
statute of limitations and secured the freedom
of their client.
This is the man selected by the committee
to address the convention of Republican dele
gates.
Well the birds are still focking together.
The decent citizens of the State, after these
two incidents, ought to have little difficulty in
choosing course compatible with conscience
Lest We Forget