The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-08-26

It3S. WAS pOOTfy RTaQcu, anu u u6KO Aodu
to operate. It's earning capacity was small.
After Mr.. Lyford had concluded his state
ment the board went into executive session
and shortly after adjourned.
just prior to going into executive session
DR.. Van Vorhis urged the board to take
some action compelling the Indianapolis
Belt-rallroad Company to make q return of
its property for taxation. He claimed it
had not lone so, m added that its fran
chise was worth from $780, 600 to S150.000.
BANKERS REFUsE TO ANSWER.
Messrs. Malott, Doherty and Decker Fined
and Ordered Sent TO jail.
The feature of the afternoon session, in
fact of the day, was tho disposition of the
the three bank cases in accordance with q
pre-arranged programme. Quite q large
number of bankers and attorneys were
present when the board convened, soon after
Q o'clock. There was half an hours delay
owing to the necessity of an executive ses-
sion, at which Commissioners Matthews.
Walker and Henderson attempted to bring
the Governor and Commissioners Gwin into
line on the little formality. Both were OBJ
durate, however. c~ontending that
the whole proceeding was illegal.
and refusing to lend themselves
to it. Arguments were vain, the two COM
missioners refusing to yield an inch from
the stand they took in the beginning, that
the board could not. according to law.
make any such arrangement with the bank
ers. After 1t was found to be q hopeless
case the Governor withdrew and went
across to his own Office, while Commits
room and gazed sadly Out of the nearest
window. Commissioners Matthews took
the chair, called the board to order In open
session, and the three bankers, who had
agreed to be offered up as sacrifices for the
good of the cause, were brought in. The
chairman was provided with q copy
of the questions and answers agreed
upon by Attorney : general Smith
for the State and Addison c.
also held q copy. Volney T. Malott, presi-
dent of the Indiana National Bank. of this
city, was the first man to face the legal
ordeal. He was sworn and was asked and
answered the usual preliminary questions
relative to his name, residence and bust
ness. After this necessary formality the
chairman asked what was the aggregate
amount of the individual deposits held by
the Indiana National Bank April /. 1891.
and was told by Mr.. MalOtt that 1t was
about 81, 700, 900.
Give me the amount Of money held or
deposit by said bank on the 1st day of April,
1891, belonging to any deposition" said the
chairman.
before answering the question:" said
Mr.. Harris for Mr.. Malott. reading from
his typewriter copy, II respectfully ask
the board whether there Is any appeal, COM
plant, cause or proceeding OF any KIND
pending ncw before this board or else
where to assess the property of said bank
or any depositOr therein or to revise the
tax-llst of said bank or any depositor
thereinl"
Mo- replied Chairman Matthews "We
Then / decline to answer, under advice
of my counsel" said Mr.. Malott.
Give me the amour of personal prop
erty, other than money, held by you as
custodian and agent. on the hrst day of
April. 1891, such as notes. stocks. bonds or
other property of value belonging to any
depositor," was the next question In order,
and the chairman read IL in q ~perfunctory
sort of way.
Before answering the question:" said
ask the board whether there is m appeal,
complaint. cause or proceeding of any kind
pending before this board or elsewhere to
assess any dse.positor or revise his tax list in
He was told there was none and again,
under advice of counsel, Mr.. Malott de-
clined to answer.
"For the purpose of ascertaining what, if
any, money on deEOsit In your institution
belonging to persons. firms. companies or
corporations has been omitted, purpOsely
or otherwise, from the tax duplicate OF
Msrion county, you will please give this
board a list of the names of your depositors
on the first day. of April, 1884," requested
Chairman Matthews, scanning his copy of
the proceedings closely.
"Imost respectfully decline to give such
list, having just been Informed by the
board that no appeal. complaint, suit or
proceeding is here pending before this
board or elsewhere to assess or revise the
tax list OF any depositor of said bank"
answered Mr.. Harris for his client.
10 the purpose'above indicated. give q
list of depositors on the 1st day of April.
1891. with the several amounts of moneys
temporary head of the commission.
II decline.o said Mr.. Malott. "to give
either the names of my depostors or tie
several sums standing to their credit, re-
either for taxes OF for any other purpose,
because l Am informed by the board that
there is no appeal. complaint, suit or pro-
ceeding now pending here or elsewhere to
assess or revise the tax list of any depos-
itor.o
Likewise. give US the names of all per-
sons who have property other than money.
such as notes. stocks, bonds, jewellery. or
other property of value. by said Indiana
National Bank held as custodian on the
first day OF April, 1891. and the several
amounts, with a description and value of
such property" Mr.. Matthews continued
with unruffled demeanor.
IL decline to answer your question for an
examination of the books and papers of
said Indiana National Bank" returned the
~latter's president.
Would you, as it's president. be able to
furnish TO this board the information asked
for in the foregoing question:" inquired the
chairman.
IL would not"
You are now commanded to produce
such books and papers of the Indiana
National Bank for the inspection of this
board as will fully afford the information
herein sought 10 be obtained. and which
will discover the names of said depositors
of the Indiana National Bank on the first
day OF April. 1891. and the several amounts
10 their credits: also such books rs will
show the names and a description of their
property OF value held by said bank as
custodian and agent on said day" read Mr..
Matthews firmly and decidedly.
AS president of said bank | decline TO
produce any OF its hooks or papers for the
inspection of this board for am purpose"
answered Mr.. Malott quietly. (
This ended the proceedings, which had
anything bnt the air of q trial. though it
might be imagined from the foregoing that
1t one in some remote de0ree at