The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-06-12
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Both the act of mercy" to BOynton
Moore, convicted councilman, and the manner
in which it was extended, were typical Of the
jackson morals or lack of morals.
The Governor could be relied upon, of
course, to save political CRATER and crook
from prison cell if given half an excuse. Es-
pecially could he be relied upon to save fol
lower of Boss Coffin.
A jury said that Moore was guilty Of brib-
cry and his prison sentence had been fixed by
Judge who believed him guilty.
Now the Governor cuts this down to fine
of $100 on the presentation of plea that the
other councilmen who were equally guilty had
been able to bargain for their liberty with
their designations.
He signed the order and then left the city,
with orders that it be not made public until
the attention of the people might reasonably
be expected to be conferred upon the nomina-
ton Of a presidential candidate He was
cowardly to the last
That pardon should be jackson last official
act, and would be if the State Legislature had
courage or were free enough to meet and i'm
peach him.
other councilmen were justified or not depends
upon the point of view. The bunch who plead
ed guilty to misdemeanors in order to escape
trial for felOnies had their hands at the cty's
throat.
The legal processes of removing them are
long and tedious. 1t would have required
months to place all Of them on trial and then
more and more months for the Supreme Court
to pass upon appeals. And in the meantime
the city would have been at the mercy of men
who admitted that they were criminals
1t may have been humiliating to submit to
the blackmail by these criminals, but the sent-
ment Of leaders of civic organizations decided
that no price was too great to pay for the free
dom of the people from the clutches of this
outfit
But the case of Moore was different. He
had had his day in court. There was no pre-.
tense Of repentance.
He was on his way The people had paid
the expense of convicting him. He had fought
and was still fighting to keep his liberty and
his place on the city government.
The interference Of the Governor with his
sentence can be on no other ground than
politics.
The claim that here had been a bargain,
even if true, would be no reason for granting
mercy. The court had fixed the sentence A
jury had passed upon the guilt. The conviction
Of Moore was indeed, The fear-producing event
which had driven the other bandits to cover.
The sentiments Of the Governor can be I'M
derstood, Of course. A man who stood so close
to the prison doors as he did when his lawyers
pleaded the statute of limitations could be ex-
pected to have fellow feeling for political
crook who was caught before the statute had
run.
But his power to give pardons, to name
officials, to disgrace the State as he does with
such brutal brazenness, ought to be brought to
an end.
If there is any sincerely in the claims Of
Speaker Harry Leslie that he represents
decency, and he is making such a claim as
candidate for Governor, he would call together
the House Of Representatives and ask the
members to impeach the man who so abuses
his powers
That he has such power is asserted by
many very good lawyers.
Certainly Indiana, long suffering, ought not
to be forced to stand for more of these Jackson
acts of protection for the politically and off
cially corrupt.