The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-08
OPPOSED TO ADJUSTMENT.
A Protest from Taxpayers Against
Treasurer Pattison's Proposition.
An Order Restraining the Common Council
from Taking Action in the Matter
Granted by Judge Howe Yesterday.

Since City Treasurer Pattison sent his appli
cation to Council, last Monday night, wherein he
asked for an adjustment of $40, 1876. % deficiency
in his official accounts, several taxpayers
have organized opposition to any action thereon
favorable to the petitioner, For the purpose
of raising a fund to pursue the matter in
the courts, a subscription list was circulated,
resulting in the following signatures being OBJ
tanned: Henry Schnull. William II. English,
Lorenz Schmidt, A. W. Conduit, A. M. Kuhn,
Henry Climber, A. Kiefer, Louis Hollweg, J. H..
Moore, Fred Fahnley, Otto Stechhan, o. R.
Olsen, Fred Vonnegut Fl. G. Coughlen, Edward
Mueller. Alex Metzger, Charles Reese, William
Daggett, Emil Martin, George G. Webster, jr,
Michael OConnor, Charles NJ Raschig, A.
Mlnter, Fl. Lieber and S. T. Bowen.
The first step toward bringing the question
into court was taken yesterday, when
Frank M. Dell applied for a restrain
ing order until argument could be heard
on perpetual injunction against L.
N. Pattison. as city treasurer. his sureties,
Robert Browning, John J. Cooper, Sample
Loftiu, David Nicholson, Flavius J. Van vorhis,
John G. S. Harrison. Roswell S. Hill. N s.
head and Alfred Harrison. and also
against Mayor McMaster, the boards of
councilmen and aldermen. The petitioner,
after setting forth the fact of Pattsons election
and qualification as city treasurer. and his hav-
ing charged to him, during 1883 and 1894, $780,
OO0 OF the city's money. saws the greater part of
this sum properly paid out and accounted
for. But he alleges that Pattison has publicly
announced that he has lost or indefinitely placed
beyond his control, $43 1856 20 of said sum- This
IN in Par re-
quest for an adjustment of the deficiency, and
his release from further liability thereon. The
communication containing this request
vs esrnea rhsman spshr Ne~comb
Coy and Shepherd who, it is charged, are about
to report favorably thereon, and to secure this
result the petitioner claims that Pattison. his
suretes and friends, have been secretly labor
they have prevailed upon large majority
of the members of Council and the
Board of Aldermen to pledge themselves to vote
for the proposed adjustment. AS a result,
therefore, heavy ma ority is prepared to con-
cur in the proposed amendment and to direct a
release of the treasurer by crediting his account
with sum lost The petition states that the
regular meeting of Council does not occur
until the 10th of November but it is sought on
the part of Pattison and his friends to have a
special meeting called prior to the date men,
toned. 1t declares that there is imminent dan
ger of this being done-so much so that. if
notice given the defendants of this applica-
ton for restraining order. it is probable said
proposed action would be at once taken on the
filing and publication of the complaint.
The petitioner says this proposed release and
acquittance of the treasurer is without authority
OF law, and in contravention of the duties of the
Council and the Board of Aldermen. He charges
that it is based upon consideration of value
other than an assignment of stock and deposit
certificates. the latter being greatly of less
value, II OF any value, than the sum from which
release is sought. He claims they would not have
a fair cash value above $1,000, and that
the proposed adjustment would diminish the
city's revenues and render additional taxation
necessary to reimburse the treasurers account.
A restraining ORDER returnable tomorrow
morning, at 8 o'clock, was granted by Judge
Howe. At that time argument on the prayer
for perpetual injunction against the defend.
ants, from carrying out the proposed release or
adjustment, will be heard in general term of the
Superior Court. Judge Holman appearing for
the petitioner and Hawkins and Harris for the
defendants.