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


Mr. Dale, of Boone is the only Democrat who
voted with the Republicans.
THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE.
In the afternoon the discussion was resumed,
Mr. Patten read, disconEecteGly and unintelli-
gibly, from manuscript rambling speech,
which, from the manner of it's delivery, became
simply ludicrous.
He was followed by Mr. Brownlee. one of the
minority members of the committee. 81 recog-
nize the gentleman that just quit the floor" Mr..
Brownlee said ''as the gentleman that offered
the original resolution calling for this lnveStl
cation. / thought he was anxious to ascertain
the truth, but it seems that change came over
him. do not desire to question the character Of a
public officer or censure him a thief. / be-
lieve that John j. Cooper or any other man
holding public Office, is entitled to the pre-
sumption that he is an honest man until the
contrary be proven. | have gone through this
| investigation with that idea ] cannot be in
| different to the fact that there have been ru-
| mors all over the State regarding the condition
of the State Treasury 1t has been alleged that
| there is a shortage and that defacati0n was
brought about by speculatlOns in pork and
wheat. You all heard it during the campaign that
just closed. The people of the State have a right
through this Legislature to ascertain and inquire
into the condition of the Treasury If they have
not this right they have no right. Every man
in Indiana. Democrat or Republican, has the
right to know. Tot only the truth to what the
administration of his pubic officer is but he has
right to know the whole truth l went into
this investigation with that idea. l charge that
the investigation has been conducted upon de-
termination. and the majority report has been
made upor the intention to not show the true
condition of the funds. They say if
you find certificates and drafts hand
why should you inquire further. We find that
some of the certificates are dated Sunday.
1t has been stated by a member of the minority
{hut n..T %ha ct1,x - r.
Treasurer to be in cashiers certificates that
| were dated on Sunday. Let me put this ques-
ton to you: Here is a certificate of deposit Is
it not promise to payl Is it not contract for
the payment of money! Is it not regulated by
the same rule of law as a promissory note? AS
proposition of law a promissory note dated on
Sunday is not worth the paper it is written upon.
Here is $40 900 in certificates of deposit as shown
and exhibited by the Treasurer to this committee,
that is not worth a dollar.
Mr.. Brownng-Let me ask the gentleman a
question Is a contract executed on SUNDAY and
recognized Monday afterwards good con-
tractl
Mr.. Brownlee-1 say certainly. recognize
that rule of law as perfectly correct. That is
the reason why this report ought not to be con.
Cured in, because q ma ority of this committee
refused to make inquiry to these certificates
refused to allow any inquiry regarding the in
dorsement or recommendation by the bank that
made them. Why have the people not right to
know what becomes of their money2 If they
have any right to know, why will you sthe it!
Do it if you dare Suppose in six or nine
months the bottom Of the Treasury falls out,
how will it affect YOU? You that have stiAed this
investigation The people of this State have a
right to know the truth. and they demand it. |
ask. in conclusion that you consider the rights
and interests of your constituents.
Further remarks upon the question were made
in favor OF the majority report by Speaker Jewett
and Mr. Taylor. and against it by Mr.. Copeland
The majority report was adopted by the same
vote that defeated the minority report, Mr.. Dale
again voting with the Republicans
The bill reported by the majority committee
authorizing the Treasurer 70 deposit the State
funds in bank, but requiring him to turn the in
terest received over to the State, was read the
first time aud was referred, in the usual order.