The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-07
The Proposition to Investigate Defeated by a
Vote of rs to 10 Senator Magee
Votes with the Republicans.
The Bond of the State Treasurer In
creased TO the Amount of 100000.
The House Passes Bill Allowing the Right
of Trial by Jury in Civil Cases
New Bills introduced
THE STATE TREASURY.

The Democrats I'M the Senate Oppose and
Defeat an Investigation.
The discussion of the committee reports on thu
investigation of the State Treasury was resumed
IN the Senate yesterday morning, and not
concluded until noon. Tue Democratic speeches
were almost wholly in the nature of political
buster, having little or no relation to the ques-
ton of investigating the Treasury. Senator
Willard, who was given the privilege of the
floor upon the claim of recognition obtained
from the president the previous evening, was
the first to speak, and his remarks were in the
nature of partisan defense of the Treasurer.
'I have ever regarded this question" he said,
'of investigating the funds in the hands of the
Treasurer OF State beyond the point of ascertain
ing the amount, a matter instigated simply
for the manufacturing of political capital be-
IeYe this Legislature has the right to know that
every dollar of the States money is safe and
secure, and believe when that fact is learned
the inquiry should stop there. The real, central
question of all this investigation resolves itself
into this one single inquiry: Are the funds of
the State safel Is the State protected against
lOssl fit is, then claim we are not authorized
to 60 further, under the statute, which gives
both the Governor and either branch of the
Legislature the right to inquire into this matter.
In advance Of the reports of the committee, and
even before the matter was aScertained Dem
ocrat1c member of the House of Representatives
introduced a bill raising the bond of the
State Treasurer to the sum of 81 ,000, 600. In the
House it was passed by unanimous vote.
How much further ought we to go3 What
more can be demanded3 The only fact shown
in either Of these reports, with which the Senate
has anything to do is the fact that $491, 600 is in
the hands of the State Treasurer. On the con-
trary both reports show that he has in his hands
s. Ill more than ne is charged with on the
books of the Auditor of State The Democratic
party has investigated the Treasurer of State as
far as the statute permits him to be investigated,
and to add to the security of the public funds.
they have placed his bond higher by 500, 600
than the amount in his hands"
Mr. Huston-It was not my intention, when
this question first sprung upon the Senate.
to take any part in the discussion. had hoped
1t would not assume political character, bat it
certainly is now question that has divided this
Senate in accordance with their political prefer
ences. leave it to the candid judgment Of the
Senate If the speakers upon the opposite side
have confined themselves to the question. A
stranger coming upon this floor would naturally
have thought Ex-Governor Porter on trial
for the commission of crime. The majority on
this floor does not deny disprove single
charge made the minority report. Many
charges have been made against the Republican
party. The Republican party is not afraid to
stand upon the record it has made, not only upon
this question. but upon all other questions. The
opposition are not satisfied to speak of the ques-
tions at issue but go back to attack that great
life with the confidence and respect
Of the entire people-Albert q. Porter.
This question has assumed political significance,
and want every Republican member on this
floor to define his position upon this question.
We believe this minority report should be
adopted. for we think it is demanded in the in
terest of the people of Indiana The law pro-
vides that the State Treasurer shall keep the
funds Of the State on hand in money. Has he
got the States money on handl There has not
been a single senator on this floor who has had
the audaeity to claim that John j. Cooper had
the money. It was even shown that on yester-
day q warrant drawn on the State Treasury was
protested for want OF funds with which to make
payment. He had certificates of special deposit
for 500 000 but the minority of the committee
were not given chance to ascertain whether it
was his money or somebody else's. The people
of Indiana are looking with great interest to see
the solution OF this question; the people are in
terested in it, and | sincerely hope and trust
that Democratic members will see it to their in
terest to vote in support of this minority report
ANOTHER PROPOSITION TO INVESTIGATE.
Mr.. Johnson of Tippecanoe--I did not expect
to take the floor on this occasion and to partici-
pate IN the discussion Of the merits of the two
reports submitted by the special committee
have read both reports and have listened at
tentively to the debate which has taken place in
regard to their merits; but must confess that
neither the majority report nor the minority
report fully satisfied me; that / would much
prefer to get fuller more thorough and at the
same time entirely impartial statement of the
condition of our State Treasury, before / would
like to vote for either. The report of the ma
iority of the committee leaves on the mind of
the reader certain feeling of vagueness,
uncertainty and ambiguity as to the
character and cash value of some
of the Treasurer's assets; so that would prefer
o clearer, palmer more explicit and detailed ex-
bibit of these assets good and sure as they I'M
doubtedly are. am here in this Senate not as
partisan, not as Democrat or Republican
blinded by the desire to help either my party or
great State official out Of a difficulty hut | am
here of fifty senators to whom the
citizens of Indiana have delegated the power
and intrusted the care to watch over their inter
ests and TO guard these interests against loss or
injury.
Mr.. johnson offered the following resolution:
Resolved. That the two reports above named be
referred to special committee of FIVE to be appointed
by the President of the Senate further INVESTIGATES
the condition of the State Treasury with power to
send FOR persons and papers, and with instructions TO
employ three experienced accountants at a salary of
cot more than 6 per day, and to proceed to full and
thorough investigation of the State Treasury to ver
~ the vouchers submitted to them and to ascertain
he exact cash value of the money papers and valu-
ables exhibited by the said John j. Cooper the prop
srty of the State in his custody"
"Resolved That the investigation of said committee
shall only effect the principal the money really paid
into the hands of the State Treasurer and shall not
enter into any question whether interest said pPn
eipal or any part of it was paid to him not.
Resolved, That the three experts employed hy the
special committee shall make their final report to the
special committee, appointing them 10 later than ten
days before the termination of the regular session of
This General Assembly"
ANYTHING FOR AN INVESTIGATION
Mr. Foulke-I am in full accord with the Sen.
ntor from Tippecanoe, when he desires to have
this matter referred to another committee The
only result we desire. and that the whole people
desire, is that there shall be an examination of
the Treasury. While we believe every state
ment made in the minority report has been jus
titled by the information we received, and the
facts we know from the investigation of the as
sets we were permitted to make, not for the sake
OF investigation, but because we believe, aye, we
know, is demanded by the best interests of the
State for which we will sacrifice anything else,
we say. amend that report almost any way
e