The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-03
THE RECORD.
IN THE SENATE.
The State University Bill Passed-The john
SON Overstreet Contest.

-Overstreet Contest.
FRIDAY, March % A. NJ.
The Senate met at o'clock, Lieutenant-gOv-
ernor Hanna IN the chair. Prayer by Rev. Mr..
Gillette, ID. d.
ENDOWMENT FUND FOR THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
On motion Try Mr.. Duncan, the bill to provide
fund for the permanent endowment of the State
University, under setting aside OF the cOnstitu-
ional restriction by two-thirds vote, read
a second time by title, the third time by sections.
Mr.. Duncan explained; II authorizes levy OF
q cent each 300 valuation for twelve years.
IL passed the House by vote OF 20 10 ii. The
bill, as matter of economy and good manage
ment OF the States indebtedness, would be
good measure. This fund as fast as collected is
TO pay off the outstanding State Indebtedness and
be put INTO u nonnegotlable per cent. unver-
sity endowment fund bond. We appropriate an
nualIy 1913, 900 for the management OF the uni
versity, and at the end of twelve YEARS this plan
would amount to hut 81 900 more than under the
pref plan. BY the levy of this tax the bien-
NAL appropriation would he done away with,
thus mHk king a large saving. This would place
the university on firm foundation, il will
not hereafter be the creature of every Legisla-
ture. It would have an annual revenue derived
from the interest on this non-negotiahle bond.
Such an institution should lie kept free from sec
tartan bias. We owe duty to the people of the
State to place that institution on a permanent
foundation The bin provides the fund shall fol-
low the institution, should IL he consolidated
with another or removed from its present loca-
tion.
Mr.. Henry moved to amend so that the fund
should he held for the benefit of a consolidated
Institution, should the university ever be con-
solidated with another. He was friend of the
institution. The word "thereafter," an indefi-
mite term, is probably wrongly used, and this
amendment proposes to make that word 'here-
AFTER TINS making it definite The time will
come when the educational institutions of the
State should be consolidated This is way to
prevent the constant changes made by every
Legislature.
Mr.. Brown said there was no better friend on
the floor to this institution than himself. He ia
vored the amendment and hoped it would he
adopted, with the assurance from the author, If
| the House refuses to concur, he was willing to
have the Senate recede therefr0m.
The bill, as amended, passed by yeas 81,
nays 4.
On motion by Mr.. Compton the bill, II. B. No.
224, to legalize the incorporation of Carbon,
third time by sections, under a setting aside of
| the constitutional rule by twothirds vote, and
| passed by yeas 40, nays o.
JOHNSON vs.. ovERsTREET CONTEST.
Mr.. McCulloch called up the special order,
| being the consideration of the majority ana MI
norlty reports of the committee on elections in
| the matter OF the contest for the seat from the
| counties OF johnson and Morgan. See pages g.
| &c. PA and 22l OF the Brewer Reports.
Mr.. Voyles, in view of the evidence he has
heard in the case, believes this seat, in all justice
| duet of the sitting member has been such as
| should deprive him of his seat as
senator There We're some tnirty;two
| street in Morgan county, ana some seventeen or
twenty-one In johnson county. Then there was
| n cOrruW bargain by which the confession was
liam Rude. He claimed that Richard NJ. John
! son elected, hut is barred ont by eighty five
votes resting upon fraud and iDcgality There
ware least fifty votes Illegally cast for Over
| sweet through fraud and intimidation which are
! twin brothers He hoped Richard M. johnson
would he seated. He spoke with considerable
| difficulty, on account of not feeling well.
Mr.. LOckrdge spoke in behalf OF the sitting
member. As member of the committee on
| elections he heard all the evidence in the case,
| where nothing was left undone in order to reacn
| IA just conclusion. Under his oath he believed
the charge is not sustained. and that the present
| senator from Johnson and Morgan counties is
| entitled to his seat. Nothing the charge OF
bribery was adduced to stain the character Of a
| long and useful life.
Mr.. McCulloch confined his remarks more par
ticularly to the charge OF bribery. We're he sit
ting as juror TO try tine question, he would have
| to conclude that the contestee mad violated the
laws of the State in that particular, and should
snfier for the crime. He regarded the testimony
| of the cOntestee as sham aud the testimony of
a guilty man. He had no MILD words for II man
| who VIII use such means to secure an election,
| for il there IL one danger above another thar
| threatens our institutions 1t Is the danger that
| threatens the corruption of the ballot box.
Before he concluded the Senate took a recess
| till 2 O'Clock.