The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-29

lief g. fen Trustees of Marion County who
lost public monies by the failure OF banks
coming up In regular order II was read the
second time.
Mr.. REEVES moved that it be indefinitely
postponed.
Mr.. SMITH, OF Tippecsnoe: hope thst
bill OF this character will not be inde6-
nitely postponed at this stage, An immense
amount OF suffering has been entailed upon
the people of this county BY the Tsllure OF
these banks. These men deposited Just
where | would have deposited nv money.
with institutions that have stood for years,
firm and fast and had the con fidence Of the
people. | don't think il would be right 10
make them suffer for an unavoidable ca
lamity.
Mr.. BROwNLEE: dssire to enter my
protest against the passage of this bill
believe II would be precedent that ought
not to BE set b7 this General Assembly. The
people OF this State and of the several 10 vn =
ships have right TO look 10 the bond of
these Trustees for the money, and u prose
cute 10 the full extent OF the law.
Mr.. PENDLErON. This is not question
o. whether the State shall provide the money
lest by the Trustees. There il not doGiar
lost. The bill does net require the funding
OF single dollar. The people OF this county
ask not for the funding OF money. They
ask for the privilege OF taxing themselves 10
make good the loss. A maj GRITTY of the pso.
pie, more than 70 per cent of the whole
number OF taxpayers, have petitioned ths.
this bill pass. Does this carry no force with
il? IbelIeve this bill ought TO have fur
ther consideration.
Mr.. MOCK OF Wayne: The old a6ags is
that great men differ. | have no. a great
6es 70 say, but rise in favor Of this bill
We are men, and bsve done things OF like
character as these Trustees in good faith
and we would not like IN have the iron heel
cot IA IN hnc ~ 4. ~.
calamity. am willing 10 psy my share
rather than make paupers OF good, dsserv-
Ing men.
Mr.. BEST: If this bill we,e to base gen
eYal law II provide that whenever Trustees
funds were lost, he should be reimbursed, it
would appeal with much more force TO this
General Assembly than bill pro.
posing relief to particular man
under like circumsta noes. When
a County Trustee or State Treasurer loans
out the funds that are in his hands be is en-
titled to receive the interest thereon, and for
this reason he ought to bs held to strict &C
count for any money that is lost. Even
though there is a petition from 20 per cent.
of the people of this township, yet we have
no right to make the strong arm of the Law
reach down into the pockets of even l per
cent. and turn their money over into the
pockets OF private individuals for private
purposes. / am opposed to the principle Of
this bill. While l regret the loss of these
men | would gladly respond TO my share in
repaying the loss. / don't believe this Gen.
erai Assembly can afford TO establish such o
precedent. Let the Trustees bear the loss,
and let their neighbors help to reimburse
them,
Mr.. LLOYD: l desire to say tina. this bill
came before the committee acco npanied by
4 long and strong memorial. To this me-
mcrisl were a.! iched tho names of the RIA
ntf IF h.
and the owners OF a majority OF the taxable
property. No Representative of Msrioa
County is on this floor opposing tails bill.
Numerous bills of like character have
passed this bill. If it passes, will affect no
other county except Marion. According to
a recent decision of the Supreme Court q
Trustee is not liable for such O loss Then
came recess for dinner.
Mr. JAMESON: This bill seeEs to make
a contribution of money from the taxp syeEs
Of the several townships 10 their Trustees.
II the contrib atoms be voluntary, have no
objection. II, however, the taxpayers in
these townships 90 not desire to join in
making such donations. then we nave no
light TO levy an inv3luHtary contribution
upon them for this purpose. Min orities
have rights which we are bound to protect,
however great may be our So apathy with
toe Trustees. What the facts in each OF
these cases are an not sufficiently advised
as 10 Whist course my duty VIII req ulre me
to take. My Meditation is 10 vote for the
ener0ssment of the bill, bat 1 shall hold my
self free 10 vote az | NAV deem my duty On
the final passage Of the bill.
Mr.. REEVES: / think whenever a meas
Ure is attempted TO be put upon this House
which involves matters opposed to the SEN
timents Of this House then Is the time to
dispose OF it. II it be true, as has beed said
that the Supreme Court has decided that 3
Trustee can bs reimbursed Tor money thu
lost. then what is the Use OF this Legislature
making any more laws for Ii? I don't think
the question Of locality cuts any figure here.
AS TO the memorial. I would ask why can't
these men maze donations instead OF com
ing before this Legislature asking for tax
Mr.. AID ANS: / am opposed 10 this way
OF disposing OF this bill. I would rather
vote on its merits He argued against the
motion TO indefinitely postpone the bin.
Mr. GOCDiNG also opposed pastponement.
He did not think Trustees should be held &C
Countsble Tor things that unaCcountablY
hspT en-.
Mr.. GORDON demanded the previous
question.
The House seconded the demand and IN
der its operation the motion TO indefinitely
postpone was rejected and the DILL ordered
engrossed.