The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-31
AFTERNOON SESSION.
THE STATE TREASURY.

AhE SAAAh 4hEAoOh1s
The Speaker announced the special order
for this hour, being the consideration of the
Senate amendment see page So of the
BREWER Reports to the House concurrent
resolution for an investigation into the
Governors failure 10 make an examination
of the State rTessurers office.
Mr.. McMULLEN moved that the further
consideration Of the concurrent resolution
and amendment be postponed until next
Thursday at 2 o'clock.
Mr.. SAYRE: / hope the motion to post
pone the cons Iteration Of this concurrent
Tesol alton VI j not pass. | hope so because
l feel from the information that l am pos
sessed OF that the subject demands immedi.
ate attention. II al of the members OF this
House don't know, some of the members do
know that the condition OF the Indiana State
Treasury is in no wise in the condition that
the law or public safety require its. On that
account believe that this Senate amend
ment ought to be concurred in, authorizing
the formation Of committee. / do this for
the reason that the Senate has awakened TO
the public demand upon this question that
the Treasury OF the State of Indiana was in
an unsafe condition and that It should be
investigated, and the Senate paid
heed TO that voice and reversed
its action upon this subject. l believe that
the House ought to concur in this s1eni-
ment, and that a committee ought to be
formed with power to send for persons and
papers. / think am not going beyond what
the people generally believe that the Treas
urer OF the State of Indiana for the last two
years has been constantly violating the law;
that be is criminal under the laws of the
State OF Indiana; and believe by investiga-
ton their officer will be shown to be an
embeZzler, and when he takes the oath
of office il will be moral perjury on
his part. This is the condition of the
State Treasury. Where there should be
S4S6 0O0 feel safe in saying there is not one
half that amount. | feel safe in saying that
all sorts OF schemes and devices have been
resorted 10 by the Treasurer and his friends
TO make an appearance or showing that
might satisfy committee only asking CUES.
tons of witnesses not under oath / don't
believe that any useful information will be
derived from the report OF the committee We
have already appoiE ted, and on that account
l think the further consideration of this
question ought not TO be postponed. Be
cause OF misunderstanding between the
members of the committee as to their power
and authority, they can not and will not
afford this House any information
that will be useful upon tnis CUES
ton. IN no .wayH can this matter
be settled so that the people of Indiana will
be satisfied except by the appointment of a
committee with the authority TO send for
persons and papers and making a complete
diana | believe / am warranted further in
giving information to this House, and am not
quite sure thatlt is violating etiquette, that the
committee that is now in the investigation
of these affairs are utterly powerless to make
Investigation. / can show that the Treasurer
holds 500 900 worth of Marion County orders
drawing interest. While the law requires
that he shall have the cash in tie Treasury
to pay on demand, yet he exhibits as assets
county orders issued to John G. Shoemaker,
that are more than twelve months due
and drawing interest. This committee
has not power TO find out whether
these orders are the equivalent of cash.
have said this much why the investigation
ought not to be postponed. The Treas urer
is soon to file new bond. aud bsfore his
term commences Or Is entitled 10 commence
under the law this invsstig alton ought TO be
MADE complete and thorough. Any egisla-
ton upon this subject will be retarded and
prevented if it is possible. So that the wise
thing for you to do If you want to be faith
full to the public interest and protect the
funds that have been raised by the hard
processes of taxation, is to make this inves
tigation now that the people may feel en-
tirely safe in relation to the condition of
their funds in the State Treasury.
Mr.. McMULLEN: / shall not 90 into