The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-30
The Democratic Members of the Committee
Refuse to Take Any Testimony, and OBJ
iect to All Questions.
The Candidates Nominated by the Re-
publican and Democratic Caucuses.
Attempting to Control the Investigation ofthe
KnightstOwn Institution by Intimidating
the Speaker-Legislative Matters.
A SHAM INVESTIGATION

&M0 AAD vi
Committee Object tn All Questions.
There could not be a more despicable sham
than the proceeding called an investigation of
the State Treasury, which began and, doubtless,
ended yesterday. Tt was further from partakipg
of the nature of an investigation than an invesr
tigation was from the desire of John j. Coop
eE, the Treasurer. The sham proceed
ing Of yesterday is more of a
disgrace than it would have been to
have ordered no investigation at all. The Demo-
cratic members of the committee made no eff
fort to dc anything but stife and prevent an in
vestigation.
When the committee met. Governor Porter,
by the invitation of Senate Foulke, was present,
ready to give any information or testimony that
he might be called upon for.
The Democratic members Of the committee,
however, refused to permit an examination Of
the Governor, claiming as a reason that they
had no authority to send for persons or papers,
Senator Foulke asked the committee to re-
quest the General Assembly to givethem author
ity to send for persons and papers. The propo-
sition, however, by the unanimous vote of the
Democratic members of the committee, was
defeated.
The Democratic members proposed that the
committee should go to the Freasureris office to
count the money and vouchers in his possession.
Senator Foulke moved an amendment provid.
ing that inquiry should be made relative to when
the money and vouchers were placed in the
treasury vaults, but the Democratic members of
the committee voted down the proposition. They
also stated that they would consider, after count
mo tho nnnpau whatbnp fupthap Investigation
would be allowed or not.
The committee first proceeded to the Office of
the Auditor of State, for the purpose of ascer-
tanning the amount that should be in the treas
ury.
When the committee called at the Office of the
Treasurer, Representative Sayre asked per-
mission to examine the Treasurer relative to the
manner in which he conducted the business of
his Office.
The Treasurer said that he was willing to
answer any questions that might be asked him,
but the Democratic members Of the committee
objected. They intended to do nothing, they
said, but count the money and examine the
vouchers in the office.
Between $4,000 and 80, 600 in money was found
in the treasury.
The rest of the funds were in certificates of
deposit. drafts, special deposits and county or
ders bearing interest. There was quite a large
amount in county orders.
Although the county orders were interest
bearing, the Treasurer said that he would be
willing to take the face value for them.
The Treasurer said that, although the law re.
quired that all warrants should be paid in eur
rency, he and his predecessors had transacted
the business of the office by bank checks.
Mr.. Sayre asked permission to interrogate the
Treasurer, after the assets had been examined.
What is your method Mr.. Sayre asked, 'of
taking care of the States money!"
II keep it in bank" Mr.. Cooper replied, ION
special or ordinary deposit
What interest, gratuity or benefit do you re-
ceiveP was asked.
The Democratic members of the committee
refused TO permit the Treasurer to answer the
question.
IF you receive any interest or benefits on the
funds in your keeping, is it credited to the States"
Mr.. Sayre asked.
The Democratic members of the committee OBJ.
jected to the Treasurer making any answer to
the question.
'In what banks are the funds deposited"
An objection was made by the Democratic
members of the committee to the Treasurer Civ
ing an answer to the question.
d you receive any interest on United States
bondsl"
Objection by the Democratic members of the
committee.
Other questions were written down. which Mr..
Sayre desired TO ask, but the Democratic mem
bers of the committee choked off further interro-
cations by adjourniug until 4:30 o'clock in the
afternoon
When the committee met again in the after
> noon, Mr. Sayre proposed to continue the ex-
animation, but the Democratic members imme-
1iately moved an adjournment until next Mon
dav.
Senator Foulke wanted to know why the Dem
Ocratie members desired to adjourn.
Dir. Gooding said that the adjournment was
( for the purpose Of attending the Democratic
caucus. The hour of adjorrnment was 5 o'clock.
The hour of the GAUGES meeting was 7:30 o'clock.
The Republican members of the committee
withdrew from the roora. leaving the Democrats
IN consultation with job. j. Cooper, the Treas
arer of State, whom they were to investigate.