The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-21
ALL 1NDIAN1Axs TOGETHER.
Suspicious Delay in Investigating the Library
Building Matter.

SuSpic tOUS Delay IN 1nveSt1G 3t1ng the Library
Building Matter.
Washington Special.
what is the matter with Holnan?D This is
question which one hears asked every day by
members of the House. although the great Tex
objector" seems to be in good health and spirits
1t appears. however. that the question does not
refer to Mr.. Holman's physical condition, but to
his lack Of interest in his public duties. For
years he has posed as the foe of extravaganza
and Jobs" and proudly has he worn the title of
Watch Dog of the Treasury" For years he
fought with success the bill to provide q new
building for the Library of Congress, but at last
il became n law despite his opposition.
Within the past few months charges have
been made that the progress OF work on the
new building has been unreasonably slow, and
that the expenditures have been unreasonably
large On Feb. the House took official cog
nizGace of the charges by referring resolution
on the subject TO the appropriations committee.
Six days later Chairman Randall reported res
olution to raise special COMMITTEES to investi-
gate the matter and giving it authority to send
for persons ard papers, and employ a clerk at a
salary of So per day. Mr.. Randall said that the
subject was or great Importance, and should
be thoroughly investigated before granting the
further appropriation of $500, 600 asked to con-
tinue the work during the next iacal year. but
that The appropriations committee could not do
justice TO itself nor to the subject account of
the pressure Of other duties. The resolution
was adopted, and or Feb 20, nearly FIVE weeks
Holman chairman.
The committee has never been called together,
and, of course. the investigation ordered by the
House has not been made. The appointments OF
Holman to the craftsmanship of the special COM
mittee caused general surprise, because he had
opposed the creation of special committee to
conduct the Investigation. Parliamentary usaae
was clearly violated, and it could not have been
done by inadvertence, for the conn ittee was
not appointed until nearly . week after the
adoption of the resolution. The selection of
Holman provokes comment for another reason
In the Senate Mr.. Voorhees,, Of Indiana. is
charged with like Investigation. The person
whose acts the subject of criticism is archi-
teet SmithTnyer, another Indiana man. and an
intimate personal friend of Senator Voorhees,.
who is his stAnch defender against all criticism
in the Senate II Is whispered that the influence
OF Mr.. Voorhees, was exerted in behalf OF Judge
Holman's appointment to conduct the House in
vestigation, or rather, it would appear, not TO
conduct it.
1t cannot be learned that Chairman Holman
has appointed the clerk at So per day 1t may
be that it is to save this money to the treasury
that he refrains from making an appointment.
The Republican members of the committee are
Messrs. Stewart. OF Vermont and Caswell, of
Wisconsin. Probably they feel that they will
be subject TO criticism well as the Demo
cratic mem hers unless the COMMITTEES shall carry
out the instructions of the House. That ought
not to be. however, for it is understood that
both of them have requested the chairman to
rail- the committee together and pursue the in
vestigation-