Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 104, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 April 1915 — REAPPOINTMENTS EXPECTED [ARTICLE]

REAPPOINTMENTS EXPECTED

Terms on Public Utilities Body Empire on May 1. Indianapolis, April s.—Two places will become vacant in the membership of the public service commission May 1, ajid although there is considerable peculation at the statehouse and among democratic machine politicians as to whether the incumbents of the Jobs will be reappointed by Governor Ralston, it is probable each will be renamed. The two men concerned are Charles J. Murphy of Brookston, and C'hairles A. Edwards of Huntington. ._ The reasons for believing that the two men will be reappointed by the governor are the same that ' were given at the time the men originally were appointed. There has been no change in the conditions which originally brought about their appointments— particularly the appointment of Murphy. Edwards was appointed after he had been an unsuccessful candidate lor several oti-er places, among them that of warden of the state prison at Michigan City. His, also, was a machine appointment. Because political conditions throughout the state have changed considerbaly since the appointment of Murphy/ bjy the governor, there is talk that some one else may be considered for the Murphy place, but there seems to be little doubt but that the interests, that originally were responsible for his appointment again will be placated by the reappointment. Many democrats, however, who profess to see the handwriting on the wall for their party in Indiana, insist that they do not believe the governor will overlook these signsLy renaming Murphy. The "heavy inroads made by the republicans at the last election, and the apparent repudiation of Taggart machine politics everywhere in the state, ,liave caused much food for thought even by the political advisors of the governor. Edwards has served on the commission since March 1, 1914, when he succeeded Frank E. Payne, formerly a member of the railroad commission of Indiana, who resigned. Murphy has served since the public service commission was appointed May l, 1913. Both jobs pay $6,000 annually, and are regarded as the "juiciest" political plums the governor has to hand out.