The Indianapolis journal., 1885-02-17

up that there was such weak place In the law
as 10 allow public officer to come into posses
sion. and claim individual property, certain
fees, and carry them away upon going out OF
Office. This bill proposes to cure this defect.
There is no law requiring the clerk of the Su-
preme Court to keep record of fees paid IN.
| The books ought to be public record.
Mr.. Mcintosh stated that every member Of the
committee which considered the bill was in favor
of its passage.
Mr. Sellers-The bill which requires the Clerk
of the Supreme Court to keep public record in
which will be kept register of these fees, anu
turn them over to his successor, is sufficient leg
islation in this direction.
Mr.. Wiilard-The Clerk of the Supreme Court
has no collection of costs. but the sheriff. who is
responsible officer, filing bond in al large sum.
This bill! seems TO be the offspring of desire on
the part of the Republicans to cut down and
absolutely ruin every Office in Indiana, seeing
that they are barred out for a long time.
Mr.. Foulke-This bill contemplates the keep
ing of record from and after its passage. 1t
will cost nothing for the Clerk of the Supreme
Court to open his books. Fair dealing is not
afraid of the daylight The people of the State
should know how much any public officer OBJ
tains by the way Of fees or otherwise as compen-
sation. The Clerk Of the Supreme Court will
not let it be known what fees are in his posses
sion There is no danger of bill which simply
provides that the books of the Clerk Of the
Supreme Court shall be thrown open. There is
no valid reason why these records should not be
made the public property of every citizen in the
State
Mr. Fowler-This bill has been misrepresented
or misunderstood. IF this bill is in the interest
OF a job, l favor the job. can see no lob in it,
however Every man who assists Ii. = support
of public office or public officer should have
the privilege of examining the records of such
office. This bill only requires the keeping of a
record of fees after its passage.
Mr.. Magee-Ths bill is understood to be a
ferret bill The Clerk says he is not here assist
49, 1. 4
this bill with proper restrictions 1t proposes to
put burden on the officer without additional
| compensation.
Mr.. Macy said that he understood that the
Clerk now keeps just such record as the bill re-
| Quires.
Mr. Bailey withdrew his motion to indefinitely
postpone. On motion by Mr.. Magee the bill was
referred to special committee of three, with
| instructions to report to-day at o'clock P. NJ.
which the Lieutenant governor made to consist
of Messrs. Magee Macy and Mcintosh.
PURDUE UNIVERSITY APPROPRIATION.
On motion by Mr.. johnson of Tippecanoe, the
bill LEI. R. 15l to appropriate $40. 900 to Purdue
| University, was read the third time. He was
| physically Unable to raise his voice in such a
| manner as he desired. in favor of this bill. He
had not the strength to go into the details of the
| present management
The bill finally passed the Senate by yeas
| "a. nays 6.
| Mr.. Campbell of Hendricks, in ex lanation of
| his vote. said II have persistently opposed the
establishment of college of that kind at tho ex
| the limit of education by taxation; and, having
voted against the original bill, creating the uni
| versity. now vote mo-"
Mr.. Foulke in explanation of his vote, said:
II was recently at Purdue University, and made
thorough inspection of the college and its ep-
erations, with one more of the professors. |
am satisfied it is doing great and good work,
| therefore vote aye"