USA > Indiana > History of the Indiana democracy, 1816-1916 > Part 60
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"The Democratic party of this State has given the people wisely constructed legis- lation in a new highway law, a Statewide primary election law, a flood prevention law, a law regulating child labor, a tene- ment housing law, an arbitration law, an anti-lobby law, a teachers' pension law, a rural loan association law, an anti-loan shark law, a law regulating the sale of nar- cotics, a uniform negotiable instrument law, a law simplifying methods of legal procedure, a public service law, a work- man's compensation law, a vocational ed- ucation law, a law making provision for the proper maintenance of our educational, penal, reformatory and benevolent institu- tions, and many other statutory enact- ments as instrumentalities of good gov- ernment for the people. And it is the high- est praise of the administrative and states- manlike ability of the Democratic party of Indiana that no political party or body of citizens condemns any of these wise and just laws."
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[CHAPTER LXII.] GOV. RALSTON'S ADMINISTRATION
NOTED FOR ITS PROGRESSIVE SPIRIT AND HIGH REGARD FOR THE PUBLIC WELFARE
N administration cannot be re- A viewed completely until its term shall have been ended. But after a public functionary has served more than three- fourths of his term, a fair esti- mate of his achievements and accomplishments may be ventured without apprehension of serious impairment by what is yet to follow.
It may be said with strict adherence to truth and justice that Governor Ralston has fully met the expectations of those who were instrumental in placing him at the head of the State government. As an honest, upright man, as a modest Chris- tian gentleman, he has ever been mindful of his oath of office and untiring in his ef- forts to serve the State to the best of his understanding and ability. At the very outset of his administration his courage was put to severe test. A strike disturbed the peace of the capital city and threatened to paralyze its commerce. Ever a sincere friend of wage workers, Governor Ralston dealt with the difficult situation then pre- sented in such manner as to admit of no doubt that, while eager to lend a helping hand in making the lot of the working peo- ple easier and more remunerative, he must first see to the maintenance of order and the observance of law. By the wisdom, discretion, and sincerity of his course, and the superb courage displayed by him at the critical moment, he succeeded magni- ficently in allaying passion, subduing vio- lence, and eventually restoring normal conditions. A less discreet and less courageous chief executive might easily have involved the capital city in riot and bloodshed.
On all moral questions that presented
themselves from time to time there has under no condition or circumstances been any question as to the Governor's attitude. Not content with the exercise of whatever official power might be applied to the fur- therance of public morality, Governor Ralston has in a number of public ad- dresses, in various parts of the State, ap- pealed strongly for popular support of every measure or proposition that gave promise of betterment of society. In these particulars he has earned the lasting grati- tude of all the good men and women who have consecrated themselves to the uplift of humanity and the advancement of true happiness.
Without the slightest intention of in- dulging in invidious distinction it may be said that Indiana never had a Governor who was so constantly "on the job" as has been Governor Ralston. Perhaps former administrations did not demand the seri- ous attention that has been exacted by the affairs of this administration. The insti- tutions of the State have been constantly increasing, so that at this time we have seventeen benevolent and correctional in- stitutions maintained at public expense. Because of his sympathetic nature Gov- ernor Ralston has always manifested a keen personal interest in the welfare of the unfortunates of the State confined in these institutions. In his selection of trustees thereof he has exercised rare dis- cretion in choosing men of recognized abil- ity and character. It has been his aim to select men and women of business acumen and a kindly and sympathetic feeling for those with whom they have to deal. In ad- dition to selecting capable governing bod- ies for the several institutions he has given his attention to the manner in which
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each of them has been conducted. . He has been steadfastly devoted to the best inter- ests of each and all. Indiana's benevolent and correctional institutions are now rec- ognized throughout the Union as being ex- ceptionally well managed and efficiently conducted, and are patterned after by a number of other States.
For ages the abolition of the jail system has been the dream of the social workers, but it remained for Indiana to lead out in the movement of establishing a penal farm. As in similar progressive and re- formatory movements, the Governor was active in bringing about the passage of the law providing for the accomplishment of this laudable purpose.
One of the most creditable acts of the Ralston administration was the vigor with which a well-directed fight was made for the enactment of the much-needed, far- reaching anti-lobby bill. The effect of this wise and heroic onslaught on artful and corrupting agencies cannot well be over- estimated. A single quotation from his masterly argument in support of this measure will enable the reader to form an intelligent opinion of the weight of the Governor's argument :
"In a free republic a public official is not a master. He is not even his own master ; he is a servant-a servant in the noblest sense of that term. As a legislator he is called by his countrymen from the private walks of life and endowed with their com- mission to do a public work for his State and country. Vested with this authority, he is exalted before the public eye until it is said of him, as it was said of the hus- band of the virtuous woman, he 'is known in the gates when he sitteth among the elders of the land.' Being thus distin- guished, because in him centers the power of the people to do their work, he must be the soul of candor with the people."
Governor Ralston, during his adminis- tration, has also interested himself in the preservation of the natural resources and beauty spots of the State. Quite recently he appointed a commission, serving with-
out pay, to look after the preservation of the natural beauty of Turkey Run, a beau- tiful tract of hills and valleys in the west- ern part of the State. Those who are ac- quainted with this spot declare it to be one of the most beautiful in the Central West.
The Governor is a strong believer in the value of sentiment in connection with our daily life. In a message to the last Legis- lature he favored the creation of a non- political and non-salaried centennial com- mission of nine members. The purpose of this commission was to provide for the celebration of the one hundredth anniver- sary of the admission of the State into the Union. He also advised that a consider- able portion of the appropriation made for that celebration be used in historical re- search and in collecting and compiling his- torical documents, which shall be a perma- nent contribution to the State's history. In connection with his advocacy of an ap- propriation for that purpose he said:
"I know that the people of Indiana love their State. They have every reason for being proud of her achievements along every line that causes a people to be-recog- nized as great-great in material prog- ress, and greater still in moral and intel- lectual development. I would feel that as Governor I was lacking in patriotism if I did not favor the celebration by our people of their State's hundredth anniversary. The fine spirit such an event would kindle and rekindle among the people would be worth many times more than it would cost.
"And, after all, the real character of the State, representing though it does equality and brotherhood, depends upon the ideals of the people and their equipment for life. No matter how strongly the ship at sea be constructed, sooner or later she will. be dashed to pieces on the rocks in her voy- age if her crew be not qualified for their duty and alert in guiding her course. Would not such a celebration move our cit- izenship to take a keener interest in our State's development and a deeper pride in her destiny ?"
The Governor realized the important part good roads play in our civilization. In 1914 he appointed a non-partisan high-
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way commission, composed of five distin- guished citizens of the State. The pur- pose of this commission was to investigate and study the building and maintenance of public highways, with the view of de- vising some uniform scheme of construc- tion and maintenance of roads and the de- velopment of a system of management thereof.
In the early spring of 1915 he called a meeting of the Governors of seven States to be held in Chattanooga, Tenn., for the purpose of considering the construction of a national highway from Chicago, Ill., to Jacksonville, Fla., to be known as the Dixie Highway. In April, 1915, a meet- ing was held at Chattanooga, pursuant to the call of Governor Ralston, and was at- tended by a number of the Governors and a great many citizens. That meeting has generally been regarded as the greatest highway meeting ever held, both in the point of attendance and in the importance of the scheme under consideration. From that meeting developed the Dixie Highway Commission. which is now at work upon the Dixie Highway project, and all signs indicate that the Dixie Highway will shortly become a reality. The beneficial effects of that movement are not confined to the actual construction of a proposed highway, but the scheme has been an in- spiration to other communities through which the road does not pass, and there is a general awakening of interest in good roads.
While the Governor was reared upon a farm, he was never engaged in farming after he began the practice of law until shortly before he became Governor. At this time he owns a farm in Boone county and is greatly interested in farm life and farm subjects. His chief recreation is vis- iting his farm. All movements looking to the development of live stock and farming industries have received his active sup- port .. It is largely due to his action in pledging the credit of the State to the pay-
ment of the claims for stock killed by quar- antine agents that Indiana so effectively stamped out the dreaded foot and mouth disease. Delay in dealing with this dis- ease would have resulted in immense loss to the live stock owners of the State. The Governor is also interested in all phases of industrial and social life of the State.
A fair index to the general policy of the Ralston administration is furnished by himself in an address delivered at Swarth- more College, near Philadelphia, June 12, 1916. In this address he urged a greater centralization of authority in the hands of governors and mayors. Governor Ralston gave it as his opinion that lawlessness is on the increase, and declared that greater power in the hands of the executives will do much to assist in improving conditions. In support of these views Governor Ral- ston presented these points :
"Disguise the truth as we may, the law- less element is on the increase, and it tends to have a paralyzing influence on local offi- cials. To deal with the law violating class effectively, greater power must be central- ized in the mayors of cities or the form of city government changed. Impeachment statutes must be strengthened and more power be given to the Governor. Educa- tion will, of course, be depended on to sup- port and insure permanent reforms.
"Federal laws are more strictly en- forced than State and local laws. There is a reason for this. With the exception of the President all federal officials charged with law enforcement are ap- pointive officers, and the power that ap- points them can retire them to private life upon their failure strictly to enforce the law.
"If the law afforded a more effective method for the removal of officials who re- fuse to do their duty, the people would have less cause for complaint of law vio- lations ; and if the Governor had the power to supersede the prosecuting attorney who fails to prosecute the law violator with a lawyer who would prosecute him, it would be an important factor in law enforcement and would tend to prevent the commission of crimes.
"In marking out his duty the citizen must take account of many things. He
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cannot close his eyes to conditions con- fronting him. The commercialism that has had full sway in this country during the last quarter of a century challenges the best thought of our day. Commerce is most helpful in the development of a coun- try where it is not permitted to sweep on without the curbing influence of civic sanity.
"Blind commercialism carries with it at least two evils that are very hurtful. It has resulted in centering too much luxury and power in the extremely wealthy and in fixing a false notion of life in the minds of those without riches, but who are ambi- tious to imitate the rich. These two evils must and will be ultimately eliminated from our national life."
During his occupancy of the gubernato- rial chair Governor Ralston delivered quite a number of speeches on current top- ics in various parts of the State. In all of these addresses Governor Ralston un- failingly and invariably sought to arouse in the minds and hearts of his hearers a sentiment in favor of civic righteousness, patriotic citizenship, individual and offi- cial integrity, exemplary conduct in all the walks of life, promotion of educational and
religious interests, co-operation and gen- erous helpfulness ; in short, a living exem- plification of the Golden Rule and the un- qualified acceptance of the sublime teach- ings contained in the imperishable Sermon on the Mount. So genuinely excellent are the sentiments enunciated by Governor Ralston that a distinctively appreciable service would be rendered the people of Indiana if all of his addresses along these lines were collected and printed in book form. In sentiment they are conducive to the cultivation of those lofty ideals that enter into the best type of American citi- zenship. They express the feelings and emotions of as high-minded and conscien- tious a chief executive as ever filled In- diana's gubernatorial chair. Samuel M. Ralston is a firm believer in the teachings of the founders of the American Republic, and in early life consecrated himself to the advocacy and championship of doctrines and principles that in the experience of the world have been found essential to the en- joyment of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
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[CHAPTER LXIII.] UNITED STATES SENATORS
CHOSEN BY THE INDIANA LEGISLATURE FROM 1861 TO 1911
HE Senate of Indiana for 1861 T was composed of 28 Republi- cans and 22 Democrats. In the House there were 62 Republic- ans and 38 Democrats. Henry S. Lane, Republican, was elect- ed United States Senator, re- ceiving the solid vote of the Republicans. The Democrats voted for former Gov- ernor Joseph A. Wright, who afterwards affiliated with the Republicans.
In 1863 the Senate was made up of 27 Democrats, 21 Republicans, and 2 Inde- pendents. In the House there were 62 Democrats and 38 Republicans. Thomas A. Hendricks was elected to the United States Senate for the six-year term, while David Turpie was given the short term, expiring March 3, 1863. The Republicans voted for Joseph A. Wright for the long term and Daniel D. Pratt for the short term. Wright at the time filled the office by appointment of Governor Morton.
In 1867 the Senate contained 30 Repub- licans and 20 Democrats. The House: 61 Republicans, 39 Democrats. Governor Oliver P. Morton was elected United States Senator by the solid vote of his par- ty, to succeed Henry S. Lane, who proved a disappointment to his friends and had no support for re-election. The Demo- cratic vote was cast for Daniel W. Voor- hees.
In 1869 the Republicans had on joint ballot 86 votes; the Democrats 62. There were two vacancies. The Democrats voted solidly for the re-election of Thomas A. Hendricks, while the bulk of the Repub- lican vote went to Daniel D. Pratt, of Lo- gansport, who was finally elected after a red-hot Republican bolt on account of Will Cumback, who was the original caucus nominee. Godlove S. Orth and Cumback
at the final balloting had complimentary votes, but not enough to prevent Pratt's election by a safe majority.
In 1873 Oliver P. Morton was re-elected to the Senate by the Republicans, who had a total vote of 80, as against 70 Democrats and Liberal Republicans.
In 1875 Joseph E. McDonald got the benefit of the Democratic vote-23 in the Senate and 60 in the House. There were 22 Republicans and 5 Independents in the Senate, and 32 Republicans and 8 Inde- pendents in the House. The opposition divided their votes between Daniel D. Pratt, Richard W. Thompson and James Buchanan-the latter an ardent Green- backer residing at Indianapolis. McDon- ald was a pronounced hard-money Demo- crat.
In 1879 there were in the Senate 24 Democrats, 23 Republicans and 3 Green- backers. In the House: 50 Democrats, 39 Republicans and 11 Greenbackers. Oliver P. Morton had died November 1, 1877. To fill the vacancy Governor James D. Williams appointed Daniel W. Voorhees, who took his seat November 12, 1877, and was elected to the full term by the Legis- lature of 1879. The Republican vote was cast for Godlove S. Orth, while James Buchanan got the votes of the more rad- ical Greenbackers who did not join the Democrats in electing Voorhees.
In 1881 the Republicans had a repre- sentation of 24 in the Senate and 58 in the House. They voted for General Benjamin Harrison for Senator, and elected him to succeed Joseph E. McDonald. The latter was humiliated by the Democratic vote (24 in the Senate and 41 in the House) being cast for Governor Isaac P. Gray, who became acting Governor for a few months upon the death of Governor Wil-
15- History
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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916
liams. The Greenbackers voted for Rev. ture of 1897 there were 33 Republicans in Dr. Gilbert De La Matyr.
In 1885 there were only 14 Republicans in the Senate and 36 in the House. They voted for Governor Albert G. Porter for Senator. The Democrats had 36 Senators and 63 Representatives, all of whom voted for the re-election of Daniel W. Voorhees. The election in 1884 produced great re- sults for the Democrats. They got Grover Cleveland for President, Thomas A. Hen- dricks for Vice-President, Isaac P. Gray for Governor, a Democratic Legislature, and the re-election of Voorhees to the United States Senate by an exceptionally large majority.
In the Legislature of 1887 there were 19 Republican Senators and 55 Represen- tatives. Of Democrats there were 31 in the Senate and 42 in the House. The bal- ance of power on joint ballot was lodged in 3 Greenbackers. The Republicans in the House unseated a Democrat from Vigo county, whereupon the Democrats in the Senate unseated a Republican. This sort of thing did not commend itself to thought- ful Democrats and Republicans, so a halt was commanded, after some very exciting episodes. The fracas ended in the election of David Turpie to the Senate over Gen- eral Harrison; but the latter was more than compensated for this loss by being nominated and elected to the Presidency in 1888.
In 1891 the Legislature was overwhelm- ingly Democratic-35 in the Senate and 73 in the House. All of them voted for the re-election of Daniel W. Voorhees, the 42 Republicans casting their votes for Governor Alvin P. Hovey.
In 1893 there were 35 Democrats in the Senate and 63 in the House. Their vote was cast solidly for the re-election of Da- vid Turpie to the United States Senate. The Republican minority voted for Charles Warren Fairbanks.
The landslide of 1894 played havoc with Democratic ascendancy. In the Legisla-
the Senate and 52 in the House. Their votes were cast for Charles W. Fairbanks, who succeeded Daniel W. Voorhees, whose term expired March 3, 1897. Of Demo- crats there were 14 in the Senate and 39 in the House. They voted for the re-elec- tion of Mr. Voorhees. There were 3 Pop- ulists in the Senate and 9 in the House. They cast their votes for Leroy Templeton.
The United States senatorial election of 1899 still found the Republican party in power. The Democrats had lost six addi- tional Senate seats, having but 14 mem- bers, with 33 credited to the Republicans and 3 to the Populists. The House divi- sion was: 52 Republicans, 39 Democrats and 9 Populists. The younger element of the Republican party were in the sad- dle, and after a prolonged caucus struggle the nomination was given Albert J. Bever- idge, an Indianapolis lawyer noted for his eloquence, and he was subsequently elected over the veteran Turpie and Alonzo G. Burkhart, who received the support of the Populists.
Charles W. Fairbanks was re-elected to the United States Senate in 1903, when the Indiana Senate was divided-35 Re- publicans and 15 Democrats; the House, 66 Republicans and 34 Democrats. Ben- jamin F. Shively was the Democratic and only opposing candidate.
With the Legislature of 1905 very near- ly as one-sided as the Republicans had it ten years previous, being constituted-in the Senate 36 Republicans and 14 Demo- crats; in the House, 79 Republicans and 21 Democrats; and Beveridge as yet in high favor with his party, there was no question as to his re-election. Mr. Shive- ly was again the unsuccessful Democratic candidate. The election of Senator Fair- banks as Vice-President with Theodore Roosevelt left, by reason of his resigna- tion, a four-year vacancy, which was filled by the election of James A. Hemenway over John W. Kern.
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In 1909 the Democrats had regained the Governorship, Lieutenant-Governorship, State Superintendency of Public Instruc- tion, with joint control of the Legislature after fifteen years' wandering in the polit- ical wilderness. The Senate remained Re- publican by reason of their having 27 members to 23 Democrats. The Demo- crats controlled the House by 60 to 40 Re- publican members, and thus had the power of naming Benjamin F. Shively to suc- ceed Mr. Hemenway after a memorable caucus fight had eliminated several aspir- ants for the toga.
Two years later the Legislature division being: Senate-Democrats 30, Repub- licans 20; House-Democrats 60, Repub- licans, 40, John W. Kern, who had failed to secure the Democratic caucus nomina- tion in 1909, was chosen to succeed Bever- idge, who had broken with his party and in the following national election was the Progressive nominee for Governor of In- diana. This election was noteworthy by being the last held in the State under the original constitutional provision-by the Legislature.
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[CHAPTER LXIV.]
EYES CLOSED IN ETERNAL SLEEP
THE GRIM REAPER'S WORK MADE HEAVY INROADS ON DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP
In the democracy of the dead all men at last are equal. There is neither rank nor station nor prerogative in the republic of the grave. At this fatal threshold, the philosopher ceases to be wise, and the song of the poet is silent. Dives relin- quishes his millions and Lazarus his rags. The poor man is as rich as the richest, and the rich man is as poor as the pauper. The creditor loses his usury, and the debtor is acquitted of his obli- gation. There the proud man surrenders his dig- nities, the politician his honors, the worldling his pleasures; the invalid needs no physician, and the laborer rests from unrequited toil.
Here, at last, is nature's final decree in equity. The wrongs of time are redressed. Injustice is expiated; the irony of fate is refuted; the unequal distribution of wealth, honor, capacity, pleasure and opportunity, which makes life such a cruel and inexplicable tragedy; ceases in the realm of death. The strongest there has no supremacy, and the weakest needs no defense. The might- iest captain succumbs to that invincible adver- sary, who disarms alike the victor and the van- quished .- From John J. Ingalls' Eulogy on Con- gressman Burnes.
F EW States in the Union had a stronger Democratic leadership from the year 1868 to the close of the nineteenth century than Indiana. For a quarter of a century there was no time when the State could not have sup- plied the nation with an acceptable and capable chief executive. All the while, however, Death enforced heavy exactions. One after another the falling of mighty oaks was noted through the columns of the public press. The passing of sturdy men conspicuous in public life followed in quick succession-so much so that expressions of grief and sorrow over the loss of this or that favorite son cast a gloom over many localities in this justly famed com- monwealth.
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