The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-25
AFTERNOON SESSION.

Mr.. 0VERSTREET moved to amend by
striking out $4,000 and inserting in lieu
81, 200. Two years ago voted for this claim
as whole without any personal examina.
ton. Since that time l have taken the pains
to ascertain what would be right. In point
oil law there is nothing due, but inasmuch as
the commissioners were able to let the con-
tract at more reasonable price, whatever
was saved by that transaction / am willing
this claimant shall have. The Co mmission-
els say If Mr.. May bad lived and performed
his contract 81 600 would have been every
dollar that would have been due, and they
say there is no legal obligation to pay Elm
gle dollar on this claim.
NJ. SMITH, of jay: / have come to the
conclusion that this is Just claim and
ought to be paid. every dollar of it. 1t is
not right for sovereign State to refuse to
allow Just claim preferred by any citizen.
Mr.. MCCULLOUGH: While ii is the duty
of the Legislature to devise Just claims, the
Legislature should see that no unjust claims
are allowed. The State house Commission
ers have the full power under the law 10
pay any debt contracted on account of the
construction OF that building. Tnen, let
them pay all such just claims and n Ut throw
the responsibility on the Legislature.
Mr.. FOULkE: Until there is some means
OF determining whether a claim is right or
not, We should not refuse Just claim be.
cause some unjust ones have been allowed.
There is more dsnger in refusing to pass this
Dill TO the engrossment than 10 order IT co
crossed. This Is an unsatisfactory way 10
ascertain tue justice of claims, but we have
no better way. fhe State-house Commis
sioners know better than any man here
whether this claim is last or not. The State
can afford TO do right whether il Dan pe COM
PEELED 10 do right or not.
Mr.. MAGEE: had the honor two years
ago 10 De the chairman of the committee
which considered this claim and TOOK ex-
ceptionabls pains 10 examine into il. IL is
unfortunate there is no tribunal before
winch citizens can 90 with their Claims
against the State This is the only foru u
where claimants can pass their claims. No
man hearing the testimony could do other
wise, were be sitting IS a Juror. than TO give
Judgment for the full amount of this cl aim
/ know of no other way 10 ascertain facts fox
our guidance than 10 have q committee in
vtsusate and report as 10 the matter
bottom this claim on what is right aud what
lie Just. and | support this bill aud support II
cordially. When he had concluded, he de-
manced the previous question.
The Senate seconded the demand, and IN
der lis operations the motion 10 amend ths
bill by reducing the sum 10 81 600 was re-
jected by-yess 10 nays 81
Mr. CAMPBELL, of Hendricks, in ex-
plaustion OF bis vote. said he should vote
upon the recommendation OF the comm ,tee
and the Sts.e-house Commissioners.
Mr.. FAULKNER said ss he ard not be-
lieve the state owes one dollar OF this clai u
he should vote no.
Mr.. FOWLER: / shall vote for the
amendment because il is preferable to the
$4,000; but on the final passage shall vote
against the whole proposition
Mr.. SELLERS. when his name was called,
said; There has been 10 testimony or a'gu-