The Indianapolis Journal

It is well to know and understand precisely what we have to meet and overcome in the city election; but it is cowardly to suppose for one moment that there is any doubt about the victory of the people over the gang.

Within a few days, whatever of apathy there may have been has been shaken off, and the next two weeks will witness an uprising of the respectable, law-abiding elements of the city that will mean a rout of the gang on election day. It will not be the fault of the people, and it will certainly not be the fault of the Journal, if Indianapolis does not see the liveliest canvass in the interest of law and honesty and good government during the ensuing two weeks that has ever been known.

Clear everything out of the way for a general shaking up of the city. That is the present duty, and the imperative duty, of those who are charged with the management of affairs.

Against "a still hunt" let us array an open, aggressive fight.

THE GANG'S CAMPAIGN

The plan of campaign of the Coy gang for gaining control of the city government is now fully disclosed, and it will be the fault of the people if it is not defeated. The "still hunt," on which they have hitherto relied with a view of attracting as little public attention as possible, is partially thwarted by the disclosures in the Journal of yesterday. They are levying tribute on the breweries and saloons, by which they expect to raise, and doubtless will raise, a large corruption fund. The breweries of this city have been assessed $1,000 each, the Aurora brewery $500, and every saloon in the city 10 per cent. on its estimated profits from the "wide-open" policy to be inaugurated if the gang is successful.

The money thus raised is to be used, first, in securing "a vindication" for Coy and his co-conspirators in the tally-sheet forgeries, and second, in securing the election of a Mayor and Council pledged to do the bidding of the gang. The last forty-eight hours have furnished new evidence of their plans and purposes and of the undisputed sway exercised by the boss. The nomination of Michael O'Donnell, one of John E. Sullivan's deputies, for city clerk, in place of Mr. Shields, deceased, reveals the same spirit and hand that nominated Edenharter for Mayor. Both nominations are the work of Coy's committee and both candidates are his creatures.

O'Donnell is the police sergeant who was made superintendent when Lang was deposed, and his record during his incumbency of that office showed that the gang knew their man. Superintendent Lang, after a long fight, was removed because he was distasteful to the Coy gang, and O'Donnell was made superintendent to do their bidding. He did it. For his services in that capacity he won the lasting gratitude of the gang, who have now rewarded him with a nomination for city clerk. His nomination rounds out the work of the Coy committee, and, in conjunction with the nomination of Edenharter, makes a symmetrical job of ring work. Councilmanic and aldermanic nominations have been dictated by the same authority, so that the list of Democratic candidates, as a whole and in all its parts, is the embodiment of Coyism.

To elect this ticket the brewers and saloons of this city and of other cities and towns are being assessed to an extent which will undoubtedly furnish a large corruption fund, by which it is hoped to carry the election.

This is the situation which the honest citizens of Indianapolis have to contemplate, and we ask them in all seriousness, what are you going to do about it? Is our city government to be a government of the people, by the people and for the people, or a government of and by and for Sim Coy? Are the laws to be respected and enforced, the liquor traffic regulated and crime held in check, or are the opposite conditions to prevail, with all their demoralizing and debauching influences on city politics, city interests and public morals?

The election will take place two weeks from to-morrow, and it is time for honest citizens not only to be thinking, but to be acting, if they would avert the disaster and disgrace of a triumph by the gang.

Every citizen who is interested in keeping down the expenses of city government caused by pauperism and crime should vote against the Coy gang.

Every father who has a son whom he would preserve from the temptations involved in a policy of free whisky and all-night saloons should vote against the gang.

Every person who has self-respect enough to rebel against the political dictation of the criminal and law-breaking classes should vote against the gang.

Every person who believes that lawlessness and anarchism are one in spirit and principle should vote against the gang.

Every person who desires to rebuke the perpetrators of the tally-sheet forgeries should vote against the gang.

Every person who believes that politics ought to be lifted above the level of pocket-picking and garroting should vote against the gang.