Indianapolis Times, Volume 40, Number 11, Indianapolis, Marion County, 24 May 1928 — Page 5

MAY 24, 1928

THIS IS JACKSON’S SPEECH, BARRED BY HIS OWN PARTY

State's Chief Executive Denies Guilt in Bribery Attempt Case: Charges Attempted Deal by Newspaper, Lauds Senators Watson and Robinson, in Address. When Governor Ed. Jackson Wednesday was denied the right by his own political party to deliver his long looked-for answer to the testimony of many witnesses of high standing that he attempted to bribe former Governor Warren T. McCray, The Indianapolis Times, which made the original, unqualified, unchallenged accusation against Jackson immediately sent word to Jackson that it would print his suppressed speech in full if he cared to submit it.

Jackson waited until 8 p. m. Wednesday before giving his answer. Then he made the speech available. Here it is: "We have met again in State convention to renew our faith in the Republican party: to drink at the fountain of Republicanism; to reinvigorate and revitalize our political energies; to secure increased inspiration and to again gird ourselves with the breastplate and armor of Republican governmental righteousness. Being thus prepared we may go forth to battle conscious of the justness and righteousness of our cause and fully confident of a deserved victory. "We have met to recount the accomplishments of our party and to promulgate a program for future action and accomplishment; also to nominate our standard bearers for the campaign. "We will continue our session tomorrow for the purpose of ratifying, emphasizing and approving the majority choice of the voters of our State for Indiana’s candidate for President, a native son of Hoosier soil, a man who for more than forty years has fought the battles of the Republican- party, in season and out of season, always in the front rank with his face to the foe. "He has fought loyally, courageously and brilliantly for the fundamental principles of government advocated by the founders of our party believing that these principles translated into law and applied to the great diversified industrial and commercial interests of our country, will continue to prosper and bless our people; a man who for years has occupied a place in the halls of Congress and who has had a prominent part in the legislative expression of our country; a man who by his eloquence, intellectual power and a fine judgment has made for himself a place among the great, a man of whom Indiana is justly proud, our senior Senator, the Hon. James E Watson. Robinson Also Lauded "Also to ratify the party’s choice for United States Senator, a man who in two years has been required to make three campaigns, and who in each campaign has received the majority indorsement for this high office; a young man of great attainments, who has served his State in her legislative halls with distinction; a man who as an occupant of the bench made for himself a high place among the jurists of ouV State. "He is a man who in the brief period of two and one-half years has distinguished himself in the highest legis’ative body of our coun* try; a brillia at man, a gifted orator, and one who has the courage of his convictions; a man who, being permitted to remain for a period of years in this high office, will attain to a position of influence and power unexcelled by any of his contemporaries; a man who is destined to bring great credit to his State, high distinction to himself and greater honor and prestige to his country,

j i -~ -■■ ■ * Vi' \^\ SO-50 £ or a /^ == Straw Hat with Strauss style and real distinction, in it! P* 00 for a DOBBS Straw—the smartest under , , * the sun: 4 The best < at the *'.! ! Sr- i LSUMfea &Ga the price” J 33 to 39 West Washington St.' •

cur junior Senator, the Hon. Arthur R. Robinson. "Also to name one of the splendid men seeking the high privilege and honor of being the chief standard bearer of our party in the State, and to nominate men or women to fill the other important positions in our State government, all of whom, when nominated, with the united party supporting them and with the remarkable record of the party in State and nation to aid them, can go forth with the assurance of victory. "Four years ago by a majority vote of ou party I was made the party’s standard bearer in the campaign. In the general election, by a large majority, I was given the commission as chief executive of our State. I am, after almost three and one-half years of the administration have passed into history, proud to come to my party and render to it an accounting of my stewardship. *Has Kept the Faith’ "I have kept the faith. I have no apologies to offer. The unequalled record of accomplishments of this administration has been made against the most bitter opposition ever encountered by a chief executive of our State, opposition by indiivduals and interests who, being unable to control or rule, have sought by means of destructive criticism, malignment and villification to ruin or destroy. It has required unusual courage and patience to maintain a dignified poise and an even course sufficient to record the accomplishments of which we are justly proud. "Last year, in addition to other false charges made and given currency, was added the charge of conspiracy to bribe Governor McCray to appoint James E. McDonald prosecuting attorney of Marion County. "I stated in my message to the last general assembly that there had been wholesale charges of official corruptino made, but that so far as these charges related tp State officials, they were not made in good faith; that they were felse. I reiterate that statement with emphasis. These charges were made and given currency by individuals and interests who had personal ambitions to serve, and not the interests of their State. “As to the charge of conspiracy to bribe Governor McCray to appoint James E. McDonald prosecuting attorney, this charge was copyrighted by a man who has had years of experience in various prisons, and the attempt was made to sustain it, after a lapse of years, by the influ-, ence and power of repeated suggestions. Denies Bribery Attempt "These numerous repetitions attributed actions and conversations of others to myself and co-defend-ants. As for myself, I can say that I never at any time or place entered into any conspiracy to bribe, or

made any offer to bribe or to in any way influence Warren T. McCray in any official act by an offer of ten thousand dollars, or any other sum to be paid to him by myself or any other person or persons, or by any other improper means. "No *one was more surprised than I when the names of Mr. Marsh and Mr. Coffin were associated with mine in the charge of conspiracy. "Neither George V. Coffin nor Rob - ert I. Marsh at any time or place, before the publication of this sensational charge, talked with me about the appointment of Mr. McDonald, or even suggested his name. The onlyperson who requested me to present Mr. McDonald’s name to Warren T. McCray was Bishop H. H. Fout. I scarcely had a speaking acquaintance with Mr. McDonald at the time. “I had no personal interest or motive in his behalf or that would prompt me to personally suggest his name. I did not then nor have not yet talked with Mr. McDonald about this matter. I did not know w-hom Mr. McCray was considering for the appointment of prosecuting attorney until I suggested the name of Mr. McDonald. Move Called Outrage “The charge of conspiracy to bribe and the attempt, after a lapse of years, by thfc influence and power of repeated suggestions to aid others in attributing actions and statements that w-ere made by others to myself, is a most outrageous injustice. “The only circumstance that I contributed to the whole matter was the innocent one of suggesting the name of Mr. McDonald to Warren T. McCray upon the request of Bishop Fout. These facts would have appeared from the testimony of numerous disinterested witnesses if the case had been fully tried. “There has been much said about Stephensonism and the influence that D. C. Stephenson was supposed to exercise with this administration. "So far as this applies to the executive department, he has had absolutely no influence; there has been no appointment made during this entire administration that bore the recommendation of D. C. Stephenson; and it can be further said that D. C. Stephenson has never recommended nor requested the appointment of any indiivdual during this administration. "The buter opposition to this administration and to myself personally began immediately after I refused to enter into an agreement to appoint Warren Fairbanks United States Senator, or someone whom he would select. News 'Approach’ Alleged “The night Honorable Samuel M. Ralston died, and almost before his body was cold, Warren Fairbanks and Curtis Hodges of the Indianapolis News, came to the Governor’s residence and proposed that, in consideration of my appointing Mr, Fairbanks or someone whom he would select for United States Senator, they would give me full support of the Indianapolis News to aid me to control the Republican organization, wresting it, as they said, from the control of Senator Watson; and that they would give me the full support of the Indianapolis News for the nomination of United States Senator against Watson in 1926. “They expressed the most bitter opposition to Senator Watson at that time. When I told them that

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

their proposition did not interest me, and that they should, not rely too much upon the influence of t> Indianapolis News in politics, t' _y became indignant and informed me that they thought the Indianapolis New’s was powerful enough to destroy any one who w-ould not cooperate with them; and as they left the residence, after the hour of midnight, they added the expressed threat that they would destroy me if I failed to cooperate with them. “I have steadfastly refused to allow the Indianapolis News or any other selfish interest, to dictate to me or influence me in the discharge of my duty to the public, and I shall continue to do so in the future. "Indictments are not evidence of guilt. Many men have been indicted, including a prominent repersentative of the Indianapolis News, and a former Democratic mayor of Indianapolis who subsequently served in the high and honorable position of United States Senator. “Those who have seen fit to give currency to this false propoganda and are continuing to do so, are crying out to the public that they want to clean house. What do they expect to clean in the State? "The State is entirely free from indebtedness. “The tax rate has been reduced frpm 42 cents under the last Democratic administration to 23 cents under this administration. "Farm land valuations for taxation purposes have been reduced during the past two years more than $350,000,000. “We have acquired over 19,000 acres of park and forestry land during this administration, more than three times the amount we had formerly acquired during the existence of the conservation department. "The capacity and standard of the State institutions have been greatly increased until our institutions and their management stand in the first rank. "We have given the schools of higher learning more money for building and equipment and for personal service than ever in the history of the State. "Our public school system has been advanced until it is unexcelled by any other State in the Union. "We have better armories and equipment for our National Guard than we have ever had before in |Our State’s history, establishing a ,standard not equalled by that of any other State. "We are collecting over $4,000,000 less taxes to meet the general operating expenses of the State govern-

FOUNDED 1894 26-28 W. WASHINGTON ST. ONE DAY SALE-CLOSING OUT OVER 300

ment this year than was collected in 1924.’’ “We had a balance in the State treasury on May 1 of $12,115,728.32. “The State is now functioning upon the best business basis it has ever maintained during its history. “Are these the things to which they have reference when they talk of cleaning house and would they change these conditions? “I am now serving my twentyfirst year in elective public office and no one even attempts to point with suspicion to any official act during that long period of public service. I have kept every promise and fulfilled every pledge made to the public during all of that time. “I stated in my inaugural address T have great faith in the people and absolute faith in the God of nations.’ I still retain that faith undiminished. I am exceedingly grateful to the public generally that they have in so many ways expressed their confidence and faith in me and this administration. I shall continue to so conduct myself both in private and public life, that they may know that the’*- confidence and faith have not b<_en misplaced.” APPEAL STATION CASE C. I. & W. Fights Dismissal of Rental Contarct Petition. Notice of an appeal from the decree of Federal Judge Smith Hickenlooper at Cincinnati, dismissing the Cincinnati, Indianapolis & Western Railway Company’s petition for cancellation of its rental contracts for use of terminal facilities of the Union Station here, operated by the Indianapolis Union Railway Company, has been filed by the C., I. & W. company. BRIDGE COST CERTIIFIED State Highway Commission Acts on Evansville Project. Tire State highway commission today certified the costs of the Ohio River bridge at Evansville to be erected at a cost of $4,376,000. The certification today was mailed to Vanderburgh County. The county, under the certification, is to pay one-fourth of the cost of the bridge. Shut Off Water at Night. P.u Timm Speeial HAMMOND. Ind., May 24.—Each night this week the water is being shut off in Calumet City while repairs and changes are being made at the pumping station. The half time schedule is expected to end May 28.

TALK CHURCH UNION Congregations of Immanuel and Reformed May Combine. Union of foe Immanuel and Second Reformed churches, two of the largest congregations on the soutn side, to enable the combined church to serve more efficiently and with

THE LINEN SHOP 8 NORTH ILLINOIS STREET Friday and Saturday Specials Special Offer and Sale on Porto Rican Hand-Embroidered Five-Piece Luncheon Sets Dainty hand embroidered five-piece lunch set elabor- ggffl fy Q ately done in four corners in the famous-Porto Rican ®|| • 1/ pastel shades, cloth 36x36 inches and four matching ig ■■■ napkins, in a large variety of designs to choose from pjfj Fjl A DCt —now at effiSfo

MADEIRA LUNCH NAPKINS Handsomely embroidered Ma- $ 1 .65 deira lunph napkins in a I ■ large variety of designs. y d oz< ALL LINEN CRASH BREAKFAST CLOTH Cloth, 45x45, in a three-color plaid combination on heavy $1 .00 quality linen crash. SI.OO each. ALL LINEN LUNCH NAPKINS Heavy quality linen damask <t a aa large size lunch napkins, in a V I trU variety of designs. SI.OO for A.— six. Vi Doz.

greater economy, was discussed at a joint consistory of the churches at the Second church, Wednesday night. The proposal was well received, but action was postponed until the next joint meeting, June 13. The Rev. H. L. V. Shinn, pastor of the Immanuel church, presided at the consistory. The Rev. Georg*P. Kehl is pastor of the Second church. If a union is made the

PHILIPPINE NIGHTGOWNS Hand embroidered and punch a gr work designs, elaborately done on a fine quality nainsook in sizes JL - 15, 16, 17, 18, $1.55; 2 for $3.00. Each HAND EMBROIDERED VOILE BABY DRESSES Dainty embroidered baby dresses a on fine French colored voile, em- m g Z 7 broidered in pastel shades. Sizes B ■■■. .... 1, 2 and 3. $2.25 quality dress for , $1.29, Each ALL LINEN PILLOWSLIPS Imported Belgium linen pil- qq low slips with a 2-inch hand drawn hemstitch. n • a Pair

PAGE 5

combined congregation will number 1,000. Falls Down 40-Foot Shaft. Bp Times Special WABASH, Ind., May 24.—Paul Howard, 21, of Lafontaine, is recovering today from a fall of forty feet down the elevator shaft of the new school building here.