The Indianapolis journal., 1885-03-07
THE HOUSE.
Passage of the Bill Allowing the Martin
Claim for $55,616.
this morning.

Claim for $55,616.
The House was opened yesterday morning
with prayer by Representative Frazee.
Mr. Mosier introduced concurrent resolution
tH. r. 24 to authorize the payment of $500 to
the proprietor of the Grand Hotel for rental of
committeerooms The resolution was adopted
The joint resolution H. r. II to amend the
State Constitution, fixing the terms of county
officers at four years, was reported back from
the Senate with an amendment, excepting from
its provisions county surveyors. The amend
ment was concurred in, and the resolution was
adopted-yeas so, nays 4.
Mr.. Best's bill III. r. 79l to fix the time for
holding courts in the Thirtv-flfth judicial cir
cult was returned from the Senate with an
amendment limiting the length of terms The
amendment was concurred in.
In the regular order of calling counties for
bills on the third reading the bill IS. 1881 to pay
Fisher. The Speaker said the bill had been read
but once, and it would go over for third read
ing on the following day.
The bill IS. Gil to regulate the terms of office
of county commissioners was called up by Mr..
Reiter and passed.
Mr. Helms called up Mr. Pendleton's bill TH.
r. 36lI to allow John Martin 500, GIG l6 for work
on the female department of the Asylum for the
Insane.
Mr. Williams opposed the claim. He did not
believe that the State owed the money to Mar
tin. There is testimony to show that this
claim iSa just one. 1t had been said that the
reason that it should be paid was that a warrant
was issued under Governor Williams. John
but $4,000. A compromise was finally
made between Governor Porter and Mr..
Martin, and the suit was dismissed. This claim
has been before the General Assembly several
times and has never yet been reported upon fa-
vorably. His first claim Was $40 000 but since
the death of Architect May he makes it $45, 600.
peculiar thing in the history of the claim is
that two years ago Governor Porter, delivering
his message in this House, recommended the
claim, apparently reading from his manuscript,
but when his message was printed that part was
omitted from print, and it was never printed,
though once ordered. After that claim
was defeated, and when the specific
appropriation atstnt was on as its paf;ssge
this claim in it, but this was defeated The
same thing was tried in the Senate. My iudg
ment is that if this claim for extra work is cor
rect 1T would have so been decided long ago. 1t
was shown that Martin had many contracts on
hand and was compelled TO borrow money. Had
his claim been just he would have secured the
money due him at once.
Mr.. Brownlee-I hope the time will soon come
when there will be other means of aman securing
claims against the State than here. If man has
a claim he must give it attention, and thus he
brings down on his head the criticism cf lobby
lst L was a member of the sub-com-
mlttee to examine witnesses relative to
this claim, and after an impartial
and thorough investigation / must say that ]
believe that the claim is just Long before Gov
ernor Porter became member of this board,
the members of it favored the claim. 1t is as
tonlshng to me that single voice in this Legis-
lature should be raised against the payment of
an honest debt. 1t is the truth that Martins
first claim was $06 600, but it has been cut down
to SAG, ,0O0 John Martin had contract in writ.
ing, signed by Thomas A. Hendricks and other
members OF the board 1t is no imaginary bill
but is for work actually done
Mr. Gordon-I occupy an opposite position on
this from what did two years ago. The gentle
man from Knox Mr.. Williams, has referred to
me. 1t was said to me this morning that If
would withdraw my amendments to the MAY
claim, that the gentleman from Knox would not
speak against this claim.
Mr. Wi.ams-And it was said to me this
morning that if | would withdraw my opposition
to the Martin claim, the gentleman from Put
nam, MR. Gordon would not oppose the May
claim.
The Speaker-This is not the question under
discussion Honors are even. The gentleman
from Putnam will proceed.
Mr. Gordon-Ihe reason why / opposed this
claim two years ago was because understand
the contract was changed The committee found
that there had been authorized measurement
OF that contract. The committee believes that
the claim is just. The contract was squarely
made and the bill should be paid
Mr.. Robinson demanded the previous CUES
tion. The House seconded the demand, and
under its operations the bill failed to pass-yeas
47, nays 80.
Mr.. Sayre, explaining his vote, said 1.-TWO
years ago two committees gave this thorough
examination, and was familiar with the testi-
mony, because two able attorneys were EN-.
ployed to assist the Attorney general regarding
these claims, and they upon investigation, rec
commended withdrawing the suit on the ground
that the claim was just / vote aye"
r. RpSf-TSy0 U.apu apnI MAJ ntn1la
study of the claim and believed it correct. / have
learned nothing to change my mind, SO vote
'.aye."
Mr.. Deem-Beleving in the honesty of Gov
ernor Williams, John Fishback and others, who
contended that the claim was unjust, vote mo-"
Mr.. Gooding-I believe that Indiana should
pay her honest debts | am slow TO support
schemes of appropriating money, but believing
this bill o just debt, vote "aye."
Afternoon Session.