The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-26

lau0n IS necessary ana proper. For that
reason voted for the resolution, and should
have voted for il Just as promptly, whether
the State Treasurer had been Of one
political party or the other. l don't regard
Is as O political question. New, sir, We have
no law with which / am familiar which
authorizes the Senate to investigate the &C
tion OF the Governor OF the State, upon that
or any other question, and especially after
his term OF Office has expired. But We have
precedent on that subject. aud that preoe
dent is to the effect that the Legislature may
authorize such an investigation. Tecoliect
In the session of 1867, after Governor Morton
had practically retired from the office which
he held for six years Democratic; member
from the County of Allen introduced reso-
luton authorizing al investigation into the
management of the contingent fund OF the
State by Governor Morton. Although the
resolution had TO be written for the member
ii was introduced by him. am glad to say
the Republican Legislature. having a large
majority, adopted that resolution ard caused
the investigation to De made. With that
precedent before me shall vote again to in
vestigate the action Of ths Governor where
il relates to the charge concerning the State
Treasurer. The Investigation into the case
OF Governor Morton had two good results,
one OF which | know, and that is,
tie examination resulted in showing that
the accounts had been correctly kept, every
dollar vas accounted for, and it put quetus
upon the claRor made upon that subject.
1t had another good regglt aud that is, ii was
found that the system of keeping accounts
was go perfect that Ii hes bean ado pied and
followed by the State officers ever since.
Believing an investigation il carried out
in good faith according to the terms of this
resolution, will bring before this Senate and
Legislature information we desire, and that
it will report to rs the condition of the
~ in Uh ha
funds have been kept; and having the ut
mcst faith in the management of the States
funds by the officers in charge, | shall vote
for this resol ution, and hope every member
OF the Senate Will do likewise. Let rs have
an investigation wherever the law author
peoples money as far as the law enables rs
TO inquire into ii.
Mr.. DUNCAN, OF Upton, moved to amend
the House concurrent resolution by adding
thereto the following:
And such committee shall have authority to
send Tor persons and papers, administer oaths TO
witnesses have access TO all books. papers, vouch
ers and documents In pose of the Treasurer
oil State hat pertain TO the business OF said officer
and shall make full snd thorough Investigation o.
the condi ton OF the State Treasury"
1t was agreed to without division.
Mr.. MAY moved to reconsider the vote
This motion was rejected by yeas, IL;
nays, so.
Pending the roll call
Mr.. MAGEE said: l believe the law is
very defective relating to the office of Treas
from an Investigation, therefore sh all vote
against the motion to reconsider the amend
ment of the Senator from Tiptbn. L vote 10.
Mr.. SMITH, of Jennings, when his name
was called, said: / don't believe it is rignt
to investigate any puoiic ofice. unless sat.
hclent charges have been preferred against
him by q properly constituted tribunal.
don't believe it is right then to investigate
the conduct OF any public officer upon mere
rumor. The resol ution just introduced in
the Senate WAS vague in it's character; it had
not the merits of bill of discovery, because
in that kind of an instrument you have to
setout the character of the evidence you in
tend to discover, aud for that reason | voted
against the resolution of the Senator from
Wayne Mr.. Foulke).-
am willing to vote for an investigation
OF the Treasurer of State, CT any other off Ger
of State, when the investigation is placed
upon foot by proper machinery and contains
specific charges, such as an intelligent man
may base an Investigation upon. This
whole matter is predicated upon q MESA &c
of q Governor of the State, wherein he. by
implication, charges that there is something
wrong in the Office of Treasurer of State.
We have heard that message read, and we
have read it since it was delivered, and am
willing to say that the facts stated by the
Governor of Indiana upon that occasion do
not Justify the conclusion that he drew in
his message. / would not investigate any
body upon such q charge. the charge, it
seems to me, grew out of something existing
behind it-something that had malice in il !;
something of the character that plainly
shows the people OF Indiana that Albert G..
Porter and John ]. Cooper have had per-
sonal difficulty, and In order to assail him
in message TO the General Assembly be did
ii under cover of claim that he was doing
justice to the people of Indiana by calling
their attention to an existing fact; and then
to make it appear that he was fair and not
charging an officer with something that did
not exist, and that there was no other
motive behind. he casts oyer another
officer OF State great lot or tafy and Dress
up the Auditor of State in kind of Mothe
Hubbard SORT of q dress. Laughter
don't want anything thrown in the way o.
the wheels of an investigation; want il I ,
come speedy and prompt and made by tn ,
proper persons. Therefore / say this amend.
ment ought not TO pass, because il it does
the resolution is in effect killed, for il will
have to go back to the House of Representa-
tives, and the House has placed itself on rec
ord against that very kind of an amendmsnr z.
know there is nothing wrong in the Off ce
of John j. Cooper. l know John ]. Cooper
stands as fair as Albert G. Porter, and his
record for financial honesty is as good.
Mr.. SMITH, OF Jay, when his name was
called, saId: The Governor says to the Gen.
ersl Assembly that there should be an in-
vestigstion OF the State finances. Whethe
that statement is founded upon mere suspi-
cion or upon actual knowledge | do not
know. III the Governor had said there in
fact did exist some trouble would vote for
this resolution and amendment; but as he
simply casts q suspicion don't intend to
vote for the amendment, and hence vote
ave-"
Mr.. WILLARD when his name was ca led,
said: The resolution, as it comes from the
House, provides for an Investigation as to
whether Governor Porter was correct in the
charge he made against Mr.. Cooper. In or
der 10 have en- investigation that amour ts
to anything, that committee must have
power 20 send for persons and papers to in
vestigate both. / don't believe in lodging.
believe in saying, in plain language, thar
IL is necessary 10 investigate Governor POr-