The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-02
BRIBER DOWLING'S TROUBLE
The Council Committee of Investigation
Hold PrOftless Session,
But Ex-Councilman Morrison and Attorney
Cropsey Furnish Lively Evenings En-
tertainment for the Members.

mlttee - 80 oN ~
aaving in charge the Bowling matter
absent at the meeting last night. It was Mr..
Trusler; but from the manner of proceeding for
half-hour or SO. it did not require much at
tention Messrs. Newcomb and Mack heard the
statements of several new witnesses without
developing any novelty, or anything more than
stagnant interest Colonel Holloway Of the
Times, was asked in regard to the published
account of what bowling had said about
bribing members of the Council of
1882 and 1883 His reply was, THAT is what he
said to me, exactly" City Editor Bone, of the
same paper, said the information he got from
Mr.. Downing was Substantially the same Doc
tors Ward and Bedford stated that they had
never been offered any bride by Bowling or by
any other person in this case, or any other.
Bowling was not present. but his attorneys.
Messrs Cropsey and Everett looked after his
interests, and admitted the correctness of what
the several witnesses said.
There was a lull in the proceedings as the list
of gentlemen to be examined had been ex-
hausted. Dowlings attorneys admitting that
those before the first committee would if pres
ent, testify in like manner. Mr. Cropsey then
began to talk. He said he had more serious ob-
jectons to this committee than to the former one.
He did not think it legally organized, or that the
proceedings were legal under the resolution of
Council In fact, the proceeding are worse
than those of the first committee He
thought Council could be enjoned on
any action it proposed to take on report from
the committee, and for this belief he had no less
authority than General Harrison and Judge
Hines. But while he did not think the commit
tee had any right to inquire into the question of
Mr.. Dowhng's statements, he wished that he
could be allowed time for argument as he and
his associate, Mr.. Everett, had thoroughly ex-
amined the matter, and could convince the
committee of what they claimed. This being
done, their duties as attorneys would cease. He
asked that time in the future be fixed for the
argument
The committees reply was about to be made
when w. H. Morrison, of the old Council, ap
peared in the room. He had been summoned
before the old committee and also before this.
Chairman Newcomb told him that Dowling's
attorneys had consented to admit without ques
ton the testimony he and others had given pre-
viously.
Mr. Morrison-"I am getting tired of this man
ner of Investigation and having attorneys about
/ would like to see him bounced" AS he spoke
the gentleman hurredly stepped into the midst
OF the committee, spectators and attorneys.
Mr.. Cropsey (rising)-Do you mean the attor-
news?
Mr. Morrison-Oh, no.
Mr.. Cropsey-f he does, would like to inform
the gentleman that will keep this seat in spite
of any efforts at bouncing.
Mr.. Morrson-I with others, feel that this
thing is becoming monotonous. We would like
to see Bowling out of Council. There is syste-
matte effort on the part Of his attorneys to
keep him from making any statement. l met
Bowling this afternoon, and he said he had nothing
to do with the examination. Every gentleman
referred to in his charges of bribery think it
high time for Council to get rid of him. 1t is
the purpose of his attorneys to delay the ques
ton as his term of service as councilman is
nearly expired. Every person have talked to
about the matter wants action at once.
Mr.. Cropsey-Are you through
Mr. Morrison-No sir am not
Mr.. Cropsey-With whom have you talked in
reference to Dowlings statements9 Has there
been meeting of the gentlemen particularly in
terested in what he saidg
Mr.. Morrison-No sir; saw MIR. Caylor, DR..
Bedford and.
Mr.. Cropsey-Who elsel
Mr.. Morrison-I can't remember just now.
Will the clerk please read the list2
Mr.. Cropsey-Hold On there. want you to
tell with whom you talked
Mr.. Morrison-That is all right Please read
those names.
Mr.. Cropsey-Don't you do it.
City Attorney Dennylread a name|or two, when
Mr.. Cropsey said: 'Mr. Denny, you are not on
the stand"
Mr. Morrison-Yes, I talked with Mr. Yoke,
DR.. Bedford Mr.. Caylor. Mr. Egger, Mr.. Brund
off, notwithstanding the attorneys protest who
wanted Mr. Morrison to mention them without
refreshing his memory.
Mr. Cropsey-What did you say to Mr.. Egger2
Mr. Morrison-That is not material
Mr. Cropsey-What did he say to youl
Mr. Morrison-He said he was not approached
by Bowling, nor did he believe that l had been,
or any other person. 1t was his opinion that
Dowling's statements were absolutely false. Mr..
Bowling said to me that the papers charged him
with being pensioner, which caused trouble at
home. Under the influence of this he became
angered, and in that condition made the state
ments, as publised, to Mr.. Bone. / knew that
he had been before the grand jury and refused
to answer questions put to him there.
Mr. Cropsey-How did you find out that Mr.
Bowling said that before the grand iurya
Mr. Morrison-I read it in the papers. I can
read.
Mr.. Cropsey-You say you saw the gentlemen
named2
Mr. Morrison-Yes. You know that as well as
I do.
Mr. Cropsey-Don't talk to me. The com.
mitteemen are the persons you want to talk to.
Did you see these gentlemen before they went
before the grand jury2
Mr. Morrison-I learned from Mr. Yoke that
he went before the grand jury and made oath
that he had not been brbed.
What all this had to do with the question un-
der investigation no one explained; but it went
on, with now and then a great deal of heat
expressed in the questioning of Cropsey and the
replies OF Morrison. The latter gentleman said
all those with whom he talked gave him the
same information as to Dowling's bribing them.
Everything was talked about except what the
committee wanted to know Mr. Cropsey again
broke out with, There was no agreement be-
tween you gentlemena"
Mr. Morrison-Mr. Cropsey, that is an absurd
question. You can't expect me to answer it.
Mr.. Cropsey-You can refuse to answer It.
Mr. Morrson-That I'll not do. for the ques-
ton is wholly absurd.
Mr. Cropsey-I want to ask no improper ques
ton.
Mr. Morrson-That is all right; but you are
trying to delay this matter You are an attor-
ney and are paid FOR doing it. 1t is all right.
This was the order of alleged examination I'M
til both of Dowlings attorneys were tired out, as