The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-01-17
That of the Prison South Lett to the
Standing Committees TO Handle,
While the Democrats in the Senate Shut Off
That of the Attorney Generals Office
with the Convenient Gag Rule.
Bill to Give Matthews the AppOintive
Power Meets with Strong Opposition.
Fippens Resolution for Concerted Action on
Taxing Mortgages Passes the House
Liquor Bills Put In.
PRISON sourH CHANGES.

Legislature, After Much Discussion, Leaves
the Investigation 20 Standing Commuters
Immediately after roll-can yesterday
morning in the House. the Democratic pro-
gramme in handling the Prison South mat
ter was unfolded and carried through. The
Speaker commanded the Clerk to read the
following from Warden Patten:
IT, the Honorable Speaker and House Of Repre-
seDtatives:
conference.-the indianapolis Journal. in last
Saturdays issue, charges me, as warden OF the
Indiana state Prison South, with robbery, pecu-
latiOn and cruel and inhuipan treatment OF con-
victs, and acknowledgement OF the affairs of the
prison therefore respectfully demand that
your honorable body take prompt and 1inmedl-
ate action 10 have thorough and complete in
vestigation made OF the prison management
aud, believing that the charges emanate through
O spirit of malice and revenge for the purpose
OF putting into execution a threat TO defeat the
prison directors for reelection and TO bring the
prison MANAGEMENT into disgrace. and that an
effort is being made by designing politicians to
give these charges political colorlng for pollt-
zeal effect only.
charges be made specific. and that be furnished
with a copy OF the same. together with the names
OF my aecusers, so as to be enabled TO act adj
visedly in the premises Respectfully submitted.
Immediately thereafter Alder offered o
resolution. three fourths of it in praise of
the Democratic party, stopping over In
eulogy of the Patten management and re-
ferring the investigation TO the standing
Prison South committee. the Democratic
members of which were probably selected
by Pstten himself. his friend Redmon,
from Sullivan, VigO and fermlllion, Is at
the head of It,
Mr.. Lindemuth offered as substitute
the resolution of himself and NewhOuse
that was choked off by the Speaker on
Friday last. This resolution simply asks
for an investigation of the affairs of the
Prison South by special committee of
five, three to be selected by the shortly
and two by the minority. with power to
call for papers, examine witnesses, etc.
McMullen immediately moved to table this
substitu to- and 1t was declared carried on
viva voce vote. In the same way Aders
resolution was declared carried without
debate.
Alexander johnson. secretary of the
State Board of Charities. spent portion
of the afternoon In the House consulting
with Democratic members of the commit
tee. He had heen In consultation with
Patten during the morning, ana had insist
ed that in the future they have some plan
of making their stories hang together.
OFFERED IN THE SENATE.
The communication of Warden Patten
was read in the Senate simultaneously
with it's reading in the Otter chamber. I'M
mediately on Its conclusion Senator Love-
land, of Miami. offered q resolution that q
committee of five be appointed in the Sem
ate. to be composed of three Democrats and
two Repu blicans. to act in conjunction with
the House committee In conducting the in
vestigatIons, the same to be supplemented
with q stenoerapher and expert account
ant. Senator Loveland observed that Mir.
Patten had acted manly. and was entitled
to an investigation the result of which
would be conclusive and fair. Personally
he knew nothing of the matter. but when
charges came from people W no had been In
position to know O thorough investiga-
tion should follow. IL was with the ut
most respect for the majority that the res
Olution offered provided for one more DEM
ocrat than publican on the committed
and out of respect for the minority, who
did not represent minority OF the voters
of the State. the committee should, Sena-
tor Loveland urged. be appointed. Above
all, the truth should be known.
Senator Magee arose at this luncture, de-
manding the name of him who had pre-
stated that the gentleman who fathered
them was man OF integrity, and Demo-
cret of prominence; that were 1t not for
breaking faith with him, his name would
be announced, but that he preferred that
his name should not be known until after
the COMMITTEES had been appointed, and
thatit would he announced then. Senator
Aiken said that. as a friend of Patten, he
courted Investigation, but that Senator
LOveland's resolution did not go far
enough. He then offered q substitute for
Senator Loveland's resolution. which was
substantially To this effect:
Whereas, Charges have been published in the
Indianapolis Journal not only rejecting on the
integrity or Warden Patten OF the State Prison
South, but also assaiiing his character, and that
the truth OF the statements may be Investigated;
therefore, be is
Resolved, That the cOmmitte on prisons from
the Senate and House constitute joint commit
tee for the purpose OF making such investiga-
tons And that all evidences gathered be re-
duced to writing and signed By the committee.
Senator Loveland made objections to this
resolution for the reason that there were
fve Democrats TO two Repu Dlicans on the
prison committee, and that some thing moro
than the pertunctOry Investigations made
by the standing committees was in this
case desired.
speech. assuring the Senate that arden
Patten courted Investigation. and would
be sorely disappointed II his affairs were
not looked into. bnt Mr. Kern turned to the
economical side of the question, arguing
that the cost of an investigation such as
Senator Loveland's resolution conceived,
would he too great. Then Mr..
Kern dwelt upon the merits OF
not be traced to any reliable source. The
attack had been n dishonest one. made
anonymously and should not be dignltied
by the Senate's special recognition. Il
understand It is the tactics OF the
minority" said Mr.. Kern. Ito attack all
the State institutions. then all the State
officers, IN tho hope of delaying the work
OF THIS Senate, and OF turning up some
thing that Will embsrrass the Democratic
party. am opposed TO giving the minority
such power until charges have been pre-
ferred by responsible parties" Mr.. Kern
was probably not aware OF the fact that
his speech was made. almost verbatim by
q Senator SIX years ago, when charges
were preferred against the management of
the Central Hospital for Insane. the in
vestigetIon of W hich, nevertheless, brought
forth very deplorable state of affairs.
as Senator Loveland informed him soon
after.
BOYD AND MAGEE.
Senator Boyd. who offered the resolution
in favor of the investigation of the Attor-
ney-generaPs Office. said nobody had made
any charges. Senator Magee contradicted
Mr.. Boyd, and said that every Republican
member of the Senate had made charges
against Warden Patten, ana from what he
understood 10 be political motives. A
hand-to-hand hight in words lasted for q