The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-07
Mr.. D00LIN' SAYS NOTHING.
The Sixteenth Ward Statesman Who
Boosted of Bribing COuncilmen.
He Declines to Answer the Questions of the
Grand Jury for the Reason that He
Will Criminate Himself.

When Councilman James T. Bowling asserted
that he had bribed certain members of the last
City Council in the interest of the Citizens
Street hallway Company, his Importance as
witness before the grand jury became apparent
to Prosecutor Harding. 1t would not interfere
with the investigation ordered by the Council
relative to the same matter; on the contrary it
might prove beneficial to the work of the inves-
tigating committee. A summons for Coun-
Gilman Downing to appear before the
grand jurors was issued on Tuesday morning,
and to serve it Sheriff Carter placed it in the
hands of two of his best deputies. Bowling in the
meantime had gone on his daily duty as mail
agent on the l., B. & w railway. He evaded
the Sherffs deputies Tuesday night, but
Wednesday afternoon they waited for him at
the depot. The train came in at 3:15 bowling
left his car, and few steps away from it was
served with the summons. Witness and depu-
ties at once went to the grand jury room, whore
Bowling asked that he be allowed
until yesterday afternoon to answer
any questions that might be asked him. This
was granted and Immediately upon his return to
the city yesterday he walked up to the court
house and in the presence of tho jurors But
y
refusal to answer any questions in reference to
the charges he had made. He gave as 4 reason
that he did not wish and could not be compelled
to criminate himself by any admissions before
that or any other body
The prosecutor and his assistant, Mr.. Keel
ing, reduced the questions to writing, when
those two gentlemen, a grand Juror or two, Mr.
Bowling and Attorney Cropsey went into acting
Judge Clark's private room, where they found
that gentleman who had been summoned to
take cognzance of the recalcitrant witness. 1t
stated to him that Bowling had refused to
answer certain questions, which were read to the
judge. His reason for SO doing was given. The
judge decided that Bowling had the privilege Of
answering or not, under those conditions He
was then requested to allow the papers
to 60 upon record, which was
also denied Mr.. Harding, determined
to get the questions record,
examined the statute, and afterward consulted
wellknown attorney. 1t was found the law
required that questions which witness before
the grand jury had refused to answer should be
filed with the court in writing, when it shall
be determined whether answers to them shall De
made or not At six o'clock last evening the
following document was drawn up and filed in
the Criminal Court and will so upon record:
State of Indiana, County of Marion. Criminal Court
of Marion County.
Comes now William N. Harding and reports to the
court that James y. bowling duly sworn wit
before the grand Jury and upon being asked the
following questions, refuses to give answer, for the
that the to them may eliminate him
self which questions as follows:
1. Do you know of any money being paid to any
member Of the Indianapolis City Council for 1882
and 1888 any member receiving any money from
the Citizens Streetrailway Company to induce them
to vote in favor Of that company for any matter what
everl
2 Have you any knowledge of any money passing
to any member of the City Council for ashland l883
by the StVeet-car Company any other company, in
order to influence his vote any matter before that
Council!
3 Do you know Of the Street Railway Company of
Indianapolis or any of the agents of that company
paying any money to G. II. Bedford, Ed Brundage
": H. Morrison Peter T. Brice, Allen Caylor, b. w.
Cole, John Egger, Henry Mauer. Nelson Yoke or any
other member of the Indianapolis City Council for the
years 1882 and 1888, in order to influence him
them in his their vote any motion before the said
Council any person abovenamed receiving any
money from said company9
Which heterogeneous the said Bowling refuses to
answer for the that they mi ght eliminate him
SELL W. n. HARDING, Prosecuting Attorney.
There has been no time fixed yet for the com
mittee appointed at the last meeting of the
council to begin the inquiry into the truthful
ness of the assertion by Bowling.