The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-26
GOVERNOR PORTER AND THE IN.
VESTIGATION

GOvEhNOR PORTER AND THE IN
VESTIGATION.
That was q small piece of business trans
acted by Governor Porter when volunteering
the recommendation that the State Treas
urer be investigated. If he may not be Justly
accused of having been actuated solely by
personal piaue or political chicane, then
must we conclude that his sense OF official
duty has toned up since the retirement of
the last Republican State Treasurer, whom
Governor Porter is supposed to have known
to be depositing out money in just the man.
ner for which he has now seen it to arraign
our Democratic Treasurer. We have not seen
that Governor Porter included that Repub.
lican Treasurer in his structure, and there
fore must hold that petty and malicious
pariisanship prompted his recommendation,
and that its purpose was to incite prejudice
against brother State officer for no better
reason than that tbs latter is not of his
party. For sug sestIon Prompted by such
spirit we, in common with manly men of
whatever party, have inexpressible con-
tempt.
But, admitting our contempt of the mo.
tive, the fact remains that it was in a regular
State paper and with all the emphasis of
coming from a chief executive and the lead.
er of the opposition party that the imputa-
ton was cast on the Democratic Treasurer
of State. We must recognize, too, that the
matter has been taken cognizsn of by the
Legislature, and has become a topic of
thought and discussion throughout the
State. A vicious partisan inuepdo has been
agitated into gross libel rendering it inn
perative that it be noticed and refuted. The
most Insignificant pin scratch may by irri.
tation become virulent sore, demanding
not only attention, bat summary treatment.
Entertaining then, only disrespect for the
apifnus of this attack on Treasurer Cooper
and entire confidence in him, we yet hold
that his own interest, the good of our party
and the fair fame of our State call for an
unequivocal refutatioH of the implied
charges against him, nd that this can only
be done through a STRAIGHTFORWARD investi.
cation.
No honest man and no honest party can
De damaged by investigation. 1t becomes
Mr.. Cooper and his party now to make an
open, manly showing in this matter, free
from the slightest appearance OF sub .erfuge
or trifing. As between Governor Porter
and Treasurer Cooper we were on the lat.
ter's side. But now the matter has been
carried away outside of a mere personal is
| sue. To 'tell the truth" is both policy aud
duty now, and when tina. is done aud Mr..
Cooper steps out into the sunshine challeng-
ing the gaze of all men, his enemies will be
discomfitted. 1t is sober fact that in this
way aud no Other can the evil design of the
late Governor 70 shorn of all harm to our
worthy State Treasurer and to the Dsmoc.
racy, and be made to recoil with damaging
effect upon Governor Porter and his party.
The Representatives, who are yet to vote
on this question surely realize that our
party can not at any time afford to carry
needless weight. Especially should we recog.
nize this when in our next election it is the
earnest desire of every Democrat in Indiana
to relieve General Harrison of the Senator
ship. But we will assume q heavy weight il
We permit the Republicans TO make the issue
that Democratic Legislature refused to in
quire into the affairs of the Treasury for the
sole reason that fellow Democrat was
fraught with danger. 1t would strongly
tend to the election of Legislature pledged
to examine the Treasury, and that Legisls-
ture would. in the same breath, reflect
General Harrison United States Senator.
There is not a single Republican-not
even Albert G. Porter-camoring or voting
for this investigation who does not in his
heart hODe that the Damncratic maioritv
will refuse it. Not one of them believes
there is dollar missing from the Treasury.
They are hoping the Democrats may be stu.
pid enough to give them, by such refusal,
about all the benefits they could enjoy from
a real Democratic default.
We enter q respectful bat earnest protest
against the House OF Representatives allow
ing the hopes Of the Republicans to be re-
allied. We trust the Democratic members
will have the wisdom to take up the resolu-
tons adopted in the Senate By 80 round
majority and pass them by vote which
will show to the public that the Democratic
majority in the Legislature is entirely de.
serving the confidence of the people. Even
admitting, for the sake of the argu ment. that
irregularities should be found in the Treas
urer's affairs (which we do not belieye) Dem
ocrats and not Republicans should have the
credit of their exposure. But holding that
the Treasury is in shape to bear fullest in
vestigation, tae majority owes it to the party
to show to the public that such is its condi.
ton.
NOPE NvEsTIeATIoN NEsDFUL.