Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 September 1908 — THE SPECIAL SESSION AND THE RESPONSIBILITY. [ARTICLE]

THE SPECIAL SESSION AND THE RESPONSIBILITY.

The Democratic party had no hand In calling the special session of the legislature. It has no responsibility for It. The public welfare did not demand It. At a cost no greater than a small amount of Interest the financial embarrassment of the state caused by the Republican blunder In the appropriation laws enacted at the last session could have been tided over. If there Is a “night rider” epidemic anywfiAre in Indiana there is already power and money In the hands of the authorities to deal with tt. The Vin cennes claim is a matter that the legislature settled at the last session over the governor’s veto.

These are the only reasons given by Governor Hanly for calling the extraordinary session, except the consideration of a local option law. Concerning this question both parties made declarations in their platforms, and the merits of these respective declarations are to be passed on by the voters at the November election. There was no reason for anticipating the action of : ■'•r ' the people or attempting to forestall their decision.

But Hanly and Watson and other Republican leaders and candidates got Into a quarrel. They doubted each other's sincerity. They questioned each other’s good faith. Each one had a poor opinion of the other's political honesty. The governor wrote letters to Watson and other candidates—and 9 It Is said, affixed a special delivery stamp—asking certain questions and saying that the responses would determine his “personal and official conduct in the campaign.” If any re sponsesWefemade~they did not sat isfy the governor and his faction. A conference of all the factions was as terward held which was equally incon elusive.

The fact that the governor's “official conduct” (doubtless with respect to the special session) could have been controlled by an arrangement with the other factions satisfactory to him, is absolute and irrefragible proof that no real necessity existed for putting the people to the great expense of an extra session and several special elec tions. On the other hand, if Watson really approved Hanly's kind of laws his program—why didn't, lie tell him so, thus heading off a special session arid saving the people much money? Why should the taxpayers suffer because of the fight between these politicians and their factions? It is clearly evident that Republican affairs and not the people’s business are at the' bottom of the trouble. The whole thing is an outrage on the public. All that the Democratic members can do is to stand unitedly and firmly together. They will, of course vote to correct the Republican blunder in the appropriation laws. After that is done there is no reason for prolonging the session and putting the people to expense. If more than that is done the whole responsibility must rest upon the Republicans and the public will so understand.- If the Democrats are forced to further action by the conduct of the Republican majority they can do nothing less than stand squarely on the Democratic platform declarations.