The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-24
TILE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
The Democrats in the Senate Decide to
Investigate the State Treasury.
Close of the Debate on Senator Foulkes
Constitutional Convention Bill.
Which Is Defeated.

The Senate yesterday afternoon ordered an in
vestigation of the State Treasury. In receding
from the action upon the matter on last Monday
the Democratic members virtually acknowledge
that they have been radically wrong. When the
HOusa resolution, providing for the appointment
of committee of six members of the General
Assembly to institute an investigation relative
to the official conduct of Governor Porter so far
IA it concerns the alleged irregularities in the
Treasury, came up for consideration in the Sen
ate yesterday afternoon, an amendment was
proposed by Senator Duncan, of Upton, author
izing the committee to make thorough investi-
CATION also of the State Treasury. Pending the
action upon the matter there was spirited dis
cussion. The necessity of investigating the Treas
nry was strongly and forcibly urged by Senator
Fouike and Senator Campbell, of Hendricks. It
was vigorously opposed by Senator Hilligass
and the Jay and Jackson Smiths. Senator Ma
ges Senator Willard and Senator May made
brief statements in explanation of their votes
Senator Magee said that he believed that, under
the circumstances, there ought to be an investi-
cation Of the Treasury-he had been disposed
TO favor it from the frst-and upon the PROPOSE
lion to make the investigation embrace the
Official relation OF the Governor to the matter
be would vote for it. Senator Willard said that
he did not feel that it would be just or that he
would be doing his duty to the people whom he
represented if he should vote for an inyestiga-
zion of the Governor and not of the Treasurer
He believed that there ought to be an investi
CATION. Senator May expressed himself in favor
OF free, fair and impartial investi-
CATION. Those who favored the reso-
lufiOn with the amendment authorizing
thorough investigation were Senators Adkin-
son, Bailey Benz, Bryant Campbell of Hen
bricks, Campbell of St Joseph Davis, Drake,
Duncan of Upton, Ensley, Foulke Fowler, Hus-
ton, Lindiey, Macy, Magee, May, Moon, Null,
Oyerstreet, Peterson. Richardson, Shively,
Smith of Delaware Weir, Willard, Winter,
YOuche and Zmmerman-29. Those who OPP
posed it were Senators Brown, Day, Duncan of
Bartholomew: Ernest. Faulkner, Hilligass,
Howard, Johnston, Mcclure, Mcintosh, Smith
Of jackson, Smith of Jay, and Thompson-l3.
Before the investigation can proceed, however,
the resolution, as amended, will have to be
adopted by the House Whether Or not it will
concur In the action Of the Senate is matter of
doubt. An amendment similar to the one
ADOPTED by the Senate was rejected on Thurs
day the Democratic members all voting against
1t with the exception of Mr. Pasten. who has in
sisted throughout the agitation of the matter that
there ought to be an investigation. The House,
however, may be influenced by the action of the
Senate. The delay, it is SAID, has given MIR.
Cooper time to call in the money which he has
had out in loans and deposits and it is claimed
that. with the money in the treasury now, he
has less dread of the surface appearances of the
disclosures that are likely to result from an in
veStigation.
THE METROPOLITAN POLICE
bill was introduced in the Senate yesterday
-
amendment to the metropolitan police law, ex-
tending the system to cities of &c. 900 inhabitants
The effect of the proposed amendment. if adopt
cd, will be to place the police of Fort Wayne
and Terre Haute under the metropolitan
regulations The opposition TO the sys-
tenn is strong in both cities, but
especially so in Fort Wayne. The press of Terre
Haute has opposed the proposition since the
probability of its being brought before the Legis
lature was first suggested but the City Council
recently resolved itself in favor of the system,
and Mr.. ScLloss says that tits in compliance with
urgent requests from his constituents that he in
PRODUCES the bill. In order to extend the system
to Terre Haute it is necessary, in accordance
with the constitutional provision prohibiting spe-
cial legislation. to include Fort Wayne as city
of more than 10000 population. The passage of
the bill is doubtful, because it is said that there
will be strong lobby against it by Fort Wayne
people. and there will be some active opposition
from Terre Haute.
ANOTHER FEE AND SALARY BILL.
Representative Best has prepared fee and
salary bill which will be introduced in the
House soon. It proposes to fix the pay of all
officers, State and county, by salary, requiring
that all fees collected under the provisions of ex
listing laws shall be turned into thu treasury
fund. Some of the changes which the bill pro-