The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-15
BOWLING DID NOT MEAN TT.
He Weakens and Pleads the Baby Act
Pore the Council Committee.
lie Declines to Affirm the TruthfulneSs of His
Assertion that lie Bribed Members
of the City Council

CNNA4NAA
inquiry il reference to Councilman Dowlngs
statements compromising the official integrity
of certain members of the last Council, resumed
its session last night Mr. Bowling and his
attorney were early at the meeting So were
Councilmen Spahr Coy and others, to the num-
Der of half dozen. There was a
tedious wait for the committee to get through
with private consultation, caused by papers
submitted to it by Attorney Cropsev in behalf
OF Downing. These papers consisted of the com
mittees original questions, arranged in order
and matter as Downing agreed to answer them,
and his written statement as responses thereto.
The questions were not changed except IN the
cancellation of such that were similar in purport
to those asked by the grand jury.
About half-past o'clock the committee re-
turned to the room, when Chairman Pearson
read the following as the questions asked Mr..
bowling
Question No. Ibid you, on Saturday, Aug
j, 1889 or at any time prior thereto, have any
conversation with a representative of the Indian
arolis Times. in which conversation you made
use of the following language: Il should like to
know who the Times refers to as the street car
eompanys pensioner in the City Council |
demand to know and | will know. l know
me. Whoever says that l pen
sioner of the streetcar company. or have
ever been is - - liar The Times shall
publish the name If it does not, intend to
offer a resolution on Monday night to exclude
all the reporters of that paper from Council, and
also pay my respects to the COMPOUNDED sheet.
1t doesn't make any difference whether a single
member except myself votes for the resolution or
not; it will give CHARGE TO get even. L
never accepted dollar from the street-car
company. l could have had my expenses
paid during the last local campaign.
but did not take penny. My hands are clean
and can prove it by the books of prominent
bank. / do not deny that | made the race for
Council as a friend of the street-car company,
but am nobodys pensioner. III tell you what
did, though I bought some of the members,
and don't care who knows it. They were Re
publicans, every mothers of them. We didn't
have to buy Democrats. for they all right
at the start. You must understand that | am
referring TO the members of the old Council. II
you want something to put in your paper, just
say that bought Republicans. don't care
who knows it, but I'll bet you won't dare to
publish it. / bribed them. purchased their
votes, and don't who knows it."
Question No Did you on Sunday, Aug 2,
1885, near the postofice in this city have
versaton with or in the presence of William III.
Tucker, Marcus L. Brown, William H. Morrison
and others, and in which conversation, the same
having reference to the matter embraced in the
first question above propounded, say in words or
about. I'm no fool. You may depend upon it
that if had not the proof would say nothing.
But [ have the documents bearing
the signatures Of the councimen, which
clusively prove what have charged. | have
been watching for this opportunity for years. 1t
came little sooner than | expected but I'll i'm
prove 1t just the same. l want to show those
fellows in their true light. l bought them, and
l bought them cheap. and can prove it, | have
abundant proof in black and white Don't fear
Il MI with
eyes open. l want to go before the grand jury
want to show them the papers and letters /
have. | am just as anxious for an investigation
as the Times
Question No 3-Were the statements made
by you and included in question No. l. true
or false!
Question No. 4-Were the statements made
by you. and included in question No 2,
true or false!
COUNCILMAN DOWLTNGS ANSWER.
The chairman then read the following
''To the honorable, the special committee ap
pointed by the Common Council of the city of
indianapolis, motion of the Hon. John r.
Pearson, to inquire into certain rumors concern
ing James T. Bowling, member of said body:
Now makes reply to the questions to him pro
Cropsey and Harmon j. Everett admit
led through the courtesy of said
mittee, and says: That he used language
in substance similar to that stated by the infor-
mant, out CnaJ the Interpretation or SAID Ian
guage so used was violent to the intent and
meaning thereof; that said language was pro-
voked by persistent assaults upon the said mem
Der, through newspaper of wide circulation;
that said assaults were of the most
provoking character and totally unwar-
ranted that by the systematic attacks of said
newspapers he was so angered that he responded
with wrath and reconsideration, and the words
used by him were nasty and unauthorized. The
language used was improper and unparliament-
70 m mharS of tha po;1
OF 1882 and 1883, and, as to them, he regrets
having used the same.
Whatever conversation was had on said sub
ject was outside of and foreign to any member of
the new City Council. 1t was not in the council
chamber or during its session. but street talk
only. No contempt, slight or indignity was
thereby intended to be cast on the Council of
which this committee is a representation, or any
member thereof.
with full faith in the honesty and integrity
of the Council and committee. respondent sub
mits: First. That the charges were taken cog
nizance of by reason of a hasty charge of a
newspaper personally the respondents enemy
Second, That with difference to the member OF
the Council on this committee and the members
thereof this committee has not been legally
organized by any ordinance requiring such
inquiry. That is to say, that specific charges
In writing have not been preferred against this
respondent by any citizen under oath, nor by
any member Of the City Council. in his official
capacity as such, nor have any specific charges
in writing or otherwise been referred to com
mittee of three of said committee, as by its own
ordinance required.
THAT this committee has no authority to re.
quire party or witness to answer or respond
under oath; hence, this respondent, as by your
committee requested, fully answers herein and
in accordance with the resolution of said Coun-
Gil. JAMES NJ. CRoPsEY,
Harmon J, EvfRETT
Attorneys for j. T. Bowling correspondent"
Chairman Pearson said the papers before the
committee were incomplete as to Dowlipg's
answers Questions three and four had been
ignored He thought it very material in ena-
bling the committee to make a proper report
that these questions should be answered. MIR.
bowling does not say that he did or did not bride
any councilman, and he (Pearson) considered it
right to ask him in regard to that matter
Mr. Trnslar moved that the resnondent be ra.