The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-09
FHE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
The Neglect Of the Legislature Causes
the Treasury Trouble.
Probability that There Will Yet Be an In
vestigation of Treasurer Cooper's Ac-
cOants-The Results Of the Session.

When the news reached the General Assembly
on Saturday morning that Auditor Rice had re-
fused to issue any more warrants upon the gen.
erai fund. and that in consequence members
and employees of the Legislature could draw no
salary, Inc per diem statesmen who could not
comprehend the cause grew anxious. Many
of them supposed chat the Treasury had collapsed
and that the funds had been lost. Within the
next two hours few of them learned more
about the Treasury system than they had ever
known before. The Legislature alone Is respon-
sible for the complete exhaustion of the fund,
and the unprecedented condition to which 1t was
reduced was in the nature of a practical demon
stratiou to obtuse legislators of a duty which
II was urgently necessary for them to
perform. The special appropriations
made by the General Assembly in
1883 aggregated over 100000, and to meet this
extraordinary demand upon the Treasury,
temporary loan and increased tax levy are inev-
itably necessary. The low condition of the
States finances and the urgent need of loan
was explained to the proper committees by the
State Auditor. The matter seemed to be re-
garded, however, with indifference 1T seemed
that they didn't comprehend" the Auditor of
State remarked to Journal reporter, in speak
ing about the matter, the condition OF the
Treasury and they couldn't be made to under
stand the necessity of immediate ac-
ton. There is no good reason
why the temporary loan bill should not have
passed at least two weeks ago. The only way
to convince them of the need of prompt action
was to allow the fund to be entirely exhausted.
so that none of them can draw any more sal
airy until provision is made for getting the
money" The general fund was reduced toalmost
-. xrkA
Kimball was State Treasurer. When
the legislators found that they were about
TO be deprived of the prompt pay
Inent of their per diem they Immediately
authorized a temporary loan of 800, 600. The
personal need Of money viii doubtless now
hasten the statesmen who compose the present
Legislature in taking the action necessary before
the general fund will be open to the warrants Of
the State Auditor.
AN INVESTIGATION PROBABLE.
It is authoritatively stated that the Treasury
viii be investigated. The Democrats in the
Senate have finally come to the conclusion
that the necessity of an investigation
can not. with impunity. be wholly disregarded.
It was recognized by the leaders OF Cooper's
supporters as inevitable before the discussion on
the committee reports closed last week. and sew
eral of those who voted against an investigation
did so unwillingly. The Democrats who COM
posed the majority of the committee having
presenting their report. demanded that the
party should support them by adopting it.
Senator Mccullough the chairman of the COM
mittee, before making the closing speech on
Friday, insupport fthe majority report, walked
over to where Treasurer Cooper was sitting in the
Senate chamber, and was overheard to say:
Cooper it will have to come We can't prevent
It."
"Well, I suppose not" answered the Treas
urer.
eCuleugh walked back to his seat, and q
moment afterward he began speech of half an
hour in length, in which he endeavored to JUS
tify his party in opposing an investigation.
It is understood that an investigation will be
ordered under the resolutions which were offered
during the discussion last week by Senator
johnson. They were then ruled out of order,
but they will be again introduced by the author,
and Democratic senator who opposed the in
vestigation is authority for the statement that
they will be adopted. The resolutions authorize
an examination os the Treasurer's accounts by
three expert accountants, to be selected by a
special committee of Ave
THE RECORD IN BRIEF.
In session over four weeks.
half Of the regular constitutional term
Number of bills introduced, 702
Number enacted. five.
Expenses to date. about $50, 600.