The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-25
Afternoon session.


At the afternoon session Mr. Overstreet
moyed to amend the bill by striking out $40 600
and substituting 81 000 Two years ago, he
said, II voted for this claim as whole, without
any personal examination. Since that time
have taken the pains to ascertain what would be-
right In point Of law there is nothing due; but
inasmuch as the Commissioners were able to let
the contract at more reasonable price. what
ever was saved by that transaction j am willing
this claimant shall have. The Commissioners
say that if Mr. May had lived and performed
his contract 81, 900 would have been every dollar
that would have been due"
Mr. Smith of JAY have come to the con-
clusion that this is just claim and ought to be
paid every dollar of it, it is not right for a
sovereign State to refuse to allow just claim
preferred by any citizen.
Mr. McCullough-While it is the duty of the
Legislature to allow just claims, the Legislature
should see that no unjust claims are allowed. The
State-house Commissioners have the full power
under the law, to pay any debt contracted on ac-
count of the construction OF that building Then
let them pay all such just claims and not throw
the responsibility on the Legislature.
Mr. Foulke-Untl there is some means of de-
terminng whether a claim is right or not, we
should not refuse just claim because some u1i-
Just ones have been allowed. There is more
danger in refusing to pass this bill to the en-
grossment than to order it engrossed. This is
an unsatisfactory way of ascertaining the justice
of claims, but we have no better way. The
State house Commissioners know better than
any man hefe Wnetner the claim is Just or not.
The State can afford TO do right whether it can
be compelled TO do right or not,
Mr. Magee-I had the honor, two years ago. to be
the chairman of the committee which considered
this claim. and took exceptional pains to inquire
into it. 1t is unfortunate that there is no tribu-
nal before which citizens can go with their
claims against the State This is the only forum
where claimants can press their claims. No
man having the testimony could do otherwise,
were he sitting juror, than to give judgment
or rha fu1l nn mt nff JS plai / nF no
other way to ascertain facts than to have com
mittee investigate and report as to the matter.
This claim is based what is right and what is
just, and support it cordially. When he had
concluded he demanded the previous question
The Senate seconded his demand, and under its
operations the motion to amend the bill by
ducing the sum to 81, 900 was rejected by yeas,
Is; nays 80.
Mr.. Campbell of Hendricks said that he
would vote upon the recommendation Of the
committee and the Statehou Commissioners.
Mr. Winter-There has been no question
which has embarrassed me more than this mat
ter | don't think legal right enters into this
question, but have no doubt but that Mrs May
has moral right to 81 600. The argument here
has made me think she probably should have
more than 81 00O
The bill ordered engrossed for the third
reading, by yeas, "A; nays "a. The Lieutenant
governor, in giving the deciding vote, said: 81
feel, under the circumstances, that the State of
Indiana cannot afford not to pay her just debts,
therefore vote 'yea.'' [Applause.l
Mr.. Youche, in explaining his vote, said 1.-TWO
years agoI voted against this allowance, and am
more satisfied now that upon all questions of
paying claims the State should not screen her
self behind the fact that she cannot be sued;
but such things should be decided as they are
between man and man. Therefore l vote yea"
THE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
Mr. Schlosss bill rs. 1901 to appropriate $25,-
900 year to the State Normal School was read
the second tim @,
Mr. Campbell Of Hendricks-A bill has been
fully considered by the friends of the school,
which offer as substitute, proposing to raise
the $25, 900 by special tax.
Mr.. Youche thought a provision to take this
out of the general fund would be the proper way
to make the appropriation
Mr.. Fowler-This bill ought not to be en-
crossed 1t to have for its object the appro-
priation out of the 16 per cent levy for common.
school purposes. That is part of the common
school fund of the State. This l6per cent levy has
the same object as the common school fund.- and
this bill proposes to divert $5 900 of that fund to
this one school at Terre Haute, and this diversion
might be made TO other schools in the State until
all the common school fund is absorbed in that
way The bill should be amended so that the
money shall come from the general fund.
Twenty thousand dollars is all the Legislature
ought to appropriate
Mr.. Fouike-The State Normal School is an
! adjunct to the common-school system of the
State There is 10 way in which the common
y
nishing good and trained teachers. This school
IS growing from year to year, and will need
larger appropriations the years roll by.
Mr.. McIntosh-It would be wrong to pass this
bill. This bill comes directly in the line of di-
yerting the common-school fund from the pur-
poses for which it was intended.
Mr. Oversteet-I don't know why it is those
large salaries are paid In a college III our town
there are professors who do as good work as any
in the State ON a salary of 81, 900 a year / have
heard no good reason stated why there is So, 600
more asked for than heretofore l want to give
them enough, but desire to hear good reason
for the additional appropriation.
Mr.. Youche-This bill would be taking away
5000 days of schooling from the children of this
State.
Mr.. Campbell--It would make such slight
difference in the terms of the school in the State
that it is thought to be less Objectionable than
to take the fund as proposed. Those in charge
are Indifferent as to what fund the appropriation
comes from. The trustees of this institution are
the best judges of the money needed to carry it
on. More is needed now than at first, of course
Ii the appropriation is too much, tell us why
Pending this discussion the Senate adjourned
till $50 o'clock this morning