The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-05
The Minority Report.

The Republican members of the committee
presented the following minority report:
Mr. Speaker A minority of your committee
appointed to inquire into the matters contained
in the message of Governor Porter regarding
the State Treasury, respectfully reports That
at the first meeting of your committee, Jan. Is
Mr. Cooper Treasurer of State, was present
at the invitation of one or more members of
the majority of your committee, and stated
that he would admit. for the purpose of this in
qulry, that ALL THE FACTS STATED IN GOVERNOR
PORTERS MESSAGE IN REGARD TO THE STATE
TREASURY WERE TRUE.
At the second meeting, Jan. 90 Governor Por-
ter was requested by the minority to be present.
and was in the Bates House. which fact was
stated to the committee, and motion made that
he be requested to state what knowledge he had
of the matters relating to the Treasury con-
tanned in his message Objection was made by
the member from Dearborn lone of the major
ity) who stated that if authority was given to
send for persons and papers, he would favor such
examination, but that unless that was done he
was opposed to it. An amendment was then Of
fered by the Senator from Wayne lone of the
minority that the respective houses of the Gen
eral Assembly be requested to confer such au
thority This was opposed by the member from
Hancock and the Senator from Huntington, on
the ground that the committee had no authority
to hear evidence or any mans statement, and
the motion and amendments were both laid upon
the table by vote of the majority of the COM
mittee. The majority then determined that
your committee should inspect the money and
vouchers OH hand in the Treasury, and should
confine their inquiries to such inspection
your minority insisting that inquiry should be
made as to the ownership of such money and
vouchers; when and from what source derived;
what loans had been by the Treasurer made;
whether any interest had been received by him.
and So whether had been credited to the State
This was voted down by the majority; but by
unanimous consent was subsequently reserved
for further determination after the money and
vouchers had been inspected. Your committee
then called upon the Auditor of State and
learned from him that the amount chargeable to
the Treasurer on January %, was $486, 88l. o.
Your committee then proceeded to the Treas
urers Office and it was moved that we proceed
to examine the money and accounts The rep
resentative from Wabash lone of the minority.
moved amendment. that first inquire
of the Treasurer how the business of the treas
ury had been carried on. but the chairman ruled
the motion out of ORDER upon the objection of
another member of the majority.
The Treasurer stated that it was his habit to
violate the law which required him to receive
and pay all sums in currency; that most of the
business of the Office was done by check, since
the vault was not considered safe. The assets,
as shown by the Treasurer, were as follows:
CONDITION OF THE ASSETS
No. /. Draft on Maverick National Bank
Of Boston, by First National Bank of
Indianapolis. Jan. %, 1885, to be used
by ST. Joseph county-warrant expected
to be drawn. .:....:......... $40 900 90
9. Packa-e special deposit First Ma
1855 --......:...... 62, 1000. 90
each by First National Bank Endorsed
in blank, Dec. 80. 1884. 10000, 90
chants National Bank, Jan. 2 1855. $4,000 90
D.. Special deposit, for safe-keeping,
Meridian National Bank, jan IL,
1885. -; ....-,.........: 100000
dian National Bank, Dec. 81. 1884.
Sl2 600 Sl3 600 800 600 %25 O0O C0 000 m
7. Receipt of Albert G.. Porter. June 20,
1881, for loan to pay the expenses Of
Supreme Court. to be refunded by sub
seqnent appropriation. 80. 100000
8. Five certificates of deposits at Mer.
chants National Bank. Nov. 16. 1884,
$4,000, $4,000, $4,000 $4,000
$40, OO0-$45. 900. and one on Dee.
81. 1884, $7,79264, deposited by
John Frenzel and indorsed by him. S., 1872 Ga
8. Two cashier checks, $40 600 each
Meridian National Bank, Jan. 81, 1885 20 900 90
| 10. Certificate of deposit. Meridian Ma
,tiOnal Bank, Jan; %, 1885. -, 100000
National Bank, Dec. 81, 1884 :........ 100000
II Check on bank of Noblesville. signed
by treasurer of county ....-.......s... 25727
| 13. Order issued by Auditor of Hamilton
county, by order of Commissioners,
| taken as money, bearing 8 per cent in.
terest Dec. %. 1884 -. :.........-. 10000 OF
ing, in the aggregate. to -.....-...... 4,o69, 81
| 10. Marion county orders Jan l. 1884,
| payable Jan. /. 1885 with per cent.
interest $40 900 and $2C 900. ..-.... 10000. 0C
| 16 Draft of First National Bank ON
| First National Bank of Cincinnati, Jan.
20, 1850 ZiOoU.Oe
! IT. Auditors warrant drawn Jan. %,
1850 Ii.J. ~
| 49, Money on hand ..... 100 0(
| 10. Advances to officers before the expi
ration of the three m onths within which
the amount would be payable about 100000
After such examination, the member from
| Wabash asked permission to ask the Treasurer
some questions which was granted and the
member then proceeded as follows:
| Question-What is the method in general OF
taking care of the States money, and what ha:
| been your methodl
| The Treasurer answered-My method ha:
been to keep it in bank on special or ordinary
i deposit, as you have seen.
| @. Is the States money deposited elsewhere
and IT So upon what understanding as to inter
| est. gratuity or benefit
i This question being objected to, the majority
of the committee, voted that it be excluded. anc
/ it WAS. Is
Q,-Haye you secured from the States money