The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-10-05
A HumiIiating Position

There IS something patnetlc, as wen as
outrageous, in the spectacle of a group of
men who are leaders in banking, finance and
manufacturing pleading with political boss
to permit them to name one of their number
to become a candidate for public Office.
1t must be humiliating to them, and
especially to the candidate Of the group, to
have that boss place ms brand so strongly
upon the ticket through his nominations for
other places that not machine henchman
will doubt for an instant that the boss VIII
control after the election.
That Coffin out-traded the financial group
may be taken for granted from the fact that
Coffin has selected one Of his most servlle
as well as obnoxious henchman as his candl-
date for city clerk.
That Office is quite important. 1t has
power that can be used. Especially I'M
portant is that job tc such bootleggers as
NAV have the protective sympathy of the
boss. Every search warrant must go
through that Office And usually, twelve
hours notice is enough for any bootlegger to
clean up any evidence.
That official also sits on city election
boards and passes on any petitions that may
in the future be presented for city man
aoer election. if the next legislature can be
prevailed upon to pass law that will meet
the objections of the supreme court or the
sunreme court is so amended as to find the
law constitutional.
Does anv one believe that city clerk
of Cofin's choosing would present any petl-
tion. no matter how many names 1t con-
tanned. to the city council for action?
Tn other cities the people have been
robbed of a chance to vote on the question
through the refusal of a city clerk to act
That man of fine record and reputation
should be forced to the humiliation OF having
a running. mate who bears so painfully the
brand Of Cofinism is a condition which every
good citizen must resent.
The record of Coffin as boss has shameo
this city and county and state
Only the statute of limitations permits
him to deal and traffic and trade with the
leaders of the citys industries. Had 1t not
been for that barrier to prosecution, there Is
every reason to believe that he would be most
actively interested in other of the states en-
terprises than politics.
If there be a spirit of resentment against
the sort of practices and acts which have
come with Cofinism, the good people Will
end any chance Of further power by this
machine.
His control over the legislature has been
unhappy and unwholeSome. He has stood
between the people and progress. He has
blocked good laws and fostered bad ones.
No whe faunts his power and serves notice
to the people of the city that he, and not the
group of business men, is in command.
Had he been merely frightened or had
he possessed only desire for business
man of fine reputation, he would not have
objected to E. F. Gay, who Offered himself
as a candidate. That would have satisfied
all such appeals. But it would not have salts
fed Coffin and Coffinism for it so happens
that Gay had ties of closer friendship with
politicians who are not at present taking
orders from Coffin.
What Coffin demanded was chance to
continue himself and his organization. And
to prove it. he puts his brand upon the ticket
The people will do well if they do not con-
centrate on the head CT the ticket, but pay
some attention to the neck and swat it.