The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-18


THE BOWLING INVESTIGATION.
The following report then came before the
Council:
ITO the Mayor and Common Council
''Gentlemen-Your committee, appointed to
make inquiry into the truth of the charges made
by and against Mr.. Downing, respectfully submit
the following report:
"Your committee have been gnided through
out their investigation by the motion in pursu
ance of which they were appointed. Said motion
is aSfolows
"'Whereas, It has been reported and stated in the
daily newspapers of this city that member of this
body has opecly and publicly stated that he bribed
certain members of former Council to vote for a
particular measure; now, therefore, it is hereby
MOVED, That a committee of five be appointed to
make inquiry into such matter, and report to the
truth of such charges at the next meeting of this
Council
Believing that they have no power or author
ity except such as is given them under the above
motion, your committee have endeavored to
make thorough investigation and inquiry into
the matters therein specified but have not pre-
pared any charges nor made any recommenda-
ton on the subject for the reason that they do
not believe it in their province so to do Sub
penas were issued for all persons supposed to
Mr. W. II. Tucker testified that Mr..
Bowling, on Sunday, August 2. 1885,
in front of the postofce in this city, made state
the Council substantially the same as those pub
lshed in the Times and set forth in the second
question put to Mr.. Bowling. which is hereinaf-
ter inserted. Messrs. Yoke Egger Brundage,
Mauer. Cole, Morrison and Caylor, ex members
of the Council were then examined under oath,
and each and all testified that they had never
received money or favors by way of a bride from
Mr.. Bowling, Colonel johnson or any person as
agent or on behalf of the Citizens Street railway
Company. No other evidence being obtainable
fha al mt IN Mr.
THE questions they have been given in the
Journal of Saturdays date
"Mr. Dowliug, through his attorneys. Messrs.
Cropsey s. Everett then submitted the follow
ing socalled answers in writing.
THE answer published in the Journals report
of the comm ittees proceedings.
your committee not being satisfied with such
answers, requested Mr.. Bowling to answer spe
cifcally questions three and four, but on objec
ton being made to their form, the following
questions were substituted.
[See Journal of Saturdays date
''These questions Mr.. Bowling refused to an
swar, making the following statement in writing.
[See journal of Saturdays date
las will have been seen from the foregoing
Mr.. Bowling admits having made the statements
with which he stands charged in the newspapers;
but he refuses to answer as to whether such
charges made by him were with or without
foundation Their truth is denied by aii the
parties that could have been included in such
charges, except one, who did not appear before
this committee, and Mr.. Bowling admitted that
such party would also deny the charges
Your committee have made full report Of
the matters investigated by them, stating facts
rather than conclusions, that the Council may
take such further action as it may see fit.
And your committee, having completed their
lahors, asked to be discharged"
This was signed by Messrs. Pearson, Reinicke,
Trusler, Mack and McClelland.
The report was received and the committee
discharged.
The following was then submitted
ITO the Mayor and Common Council of the City of
Indianapolis:
"Gent,emen-The undersigned charges James
T. Bowling, a member of the Common Council,
with conduct unbecoming member thereof,
and warranting his expulsion therefrom. In
proof thereof the undersigned charges said
Bowling with having openly and publicly stated
charged, proclaimed and admitted that he bribed
certain members of the Council of said city for
the years of 1882 and 1885, by paying
said members money to vote for
certain measures and against certain
said Council in the interest of the Citizens
Street Railway Company. said charges having
been so publicly made on the streets of said city
on the first and second days of August, 1885.
said Bowling having been at the time said
charges, statements, proelamations and admis
sions were made and at the time said brides were