The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-25
He Addresses n Monster Meeting mt
sents Clear, Pertinent Facts.
ROBBERY OF TAXPAYERS
FUNDS ILLEGALLY DIVERTED By
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
Ex-Governor Porter Presides Over the
Big Meeting-Tamnlany Put to
Shame in the Courthouse.

John NJ. Butler, one of the clearest and
most forcible exponents of the principles
advocated by the Republican party in In
diana, spoke to over 1000 people at English's
Opera House last night. Every seat in
the theater was occupied. and on the lower
floor hundreds stood in the aisles and
around the walls. From z until 8 o'clock
the Progress Band gave a concert in front
OF the theater, rendering an excellent pro-
gramme of popular music. The house be-
gan to fill early, and at s o'clock there was
scarcely standing room below. Although
the big audience represented the various
classes Of Indianapolis people, the labor
ing man predominated. A considerable
number Of ladies occupied seats in the
parquet and many sat in the lower boxes.
Nearly all of the Republican clubs of the
city were represented, some of the organ
izations marching to the theater from their
clubrooms. The Marion Club was the first
to arrive, the members enjoying seats in
the dress circle. The West indianapolis
Republican Club. one hundred strong, came
at s o'clock with a large drum and bugle
corps and with banners and flags flying.
The suburban organization was seated in
the gallery. The speaker of the evening,
with Ex-Governor Albert G. Porter and
Merrill Moores, chairman of the Marion
county Republican committee, arrived early,
and until the hour announced for the exer-
cises occupied a box at the left of the
stage.
The Progress Band filed into the theater
at s O'Clock and completed the musical part
of the programme with a medley selected
especially for the occasion. AT the con-
clusion of the music Mr.. Butler stepped
from his box on TO the stage, followed by
Ex-Governor Porter and Chairman Moores.
The appearance of the three gentlemen on
the stage was the signal for an outburst
of applause. The cheering subsidized a mo-
ment as they took seats, but broke forth
again when Ex-Governor Porter arose and
stepped toward the front of the stage. The
enthusiasm did not abate at the signal for
quiet conveyed by the uplifted HAND of the
Ex-Governor. but continued as rapidly as
one hearty cheer could follow another. 1t
was several minutes before he could make
himself heard. In presenting Mr.. Butler
to the audience he commented briefly on
the topics of the campaign. He had come
to introduce, he said, a man who was
known as a student and a thinker: a man
who never speaks unless he has something
to say, and who would. on this occasion.
interest to the American people. The eS-
Governor said that a political party coming
before the people without knowing what 1t
believes was not apt TO be very potent be-
fore the people. The indecision of the
Democratic party in accepting the new
tariff bill, he thought, was an evidence of
its a~fiiction in this particular. A few
months ago the party was uncertain
whether or not IL ought to accept the Dill;
and almost declined 1t when 1t was o1ered
on a platter.
In a few graciously-spoken words ex-
the audience. The speaker advanced to
the front of the stage and acknowledged
the compliment paid him in rousing cheers
and waving handkerchiefs. Mr.. Butler
spoke for more than an hour, and during
| that time but few seats were left vacant.
MR.. BUFFERS SPEECH.
Seldom has a political orator enjoyed the
close attention and interest of an audience
as was that accorded the speaker last
night. In the clear, logical style that char
acterizes him as an attorney and a polit-
ical speaker, Mr.. Butler dwelt upon the
State and national issues for some time and
then spoke as follows on county matters:
THE history of Democratic rule in Ma
rion county during the past hve years Is
one or high and wrongful-even II not
plainly corrupt-expenditures; or in
for the expenditures; of insufficient taxa
ton to meet expenditures; of large misap-
tPh pept enormo3 Ds annual deficits L in revenue;
OF large temporary loans, aggregating more
than half a million dollars. made every
year " 80
enormous annual de1cit in revenue; an
empty treasury in spite of the m!sappropri-
alton, and che piling up of this enormous
debt; a failure 10 provide a sinking fund of
the amount required by law and a mlsap-
preparation OF a. revenues wnich should
have been collected for sinking fund pur-
poses.
During the past five years the expendi,
over si TOr GOO eo > = TPSev have steaSjiv inui
creased from about SsO,0O0 in 1880 10 S545,-
900 in 1894. an average increase of about 9
=. 4A-t IN 4nnA trna~ . fhnr tho H4un
expenditures are now almost once and a
half as much each year as they were five
years ago.
Large amounts have been allowed to
prominent Democratic workers as road
superintendents. Favored contractors have
been given contracts as against other bid
ders of undoubted solvency and ability. and
bills for work done by Democratic heelerS
have been allowed without careful scrutiny.
THE only permanent improvements which
the County Commissioners have made dur
ing the past five years have been the new
new Jail cost about $3.50, 600 and the new
bridge about $4,000. So that, out of the
total of two and a half million dollars spent,
the county has invested less than one-tenth
in permanent improvements. The other
nine-tenths has either gone 10 pay the or
binary running expenses of the county or
has been wasted.
THE permanent structures which the
county owns. its county buildings, and
repair. Portions Of the ceiling of the coun-
~ building have fallen. the whole building
IS ulnSy, the plunDinS ana sewerage are
such as TO render the building only just
habitable. The bridges are barely in SAFE
condition. But they have kept the Cd gray
mu.e's life fully insured, and have sup
piled the paupers with a fair brand of
THE ROTTEN FINANCES.
"The fiscal year of Marion county runs
from June l to June 1 of each year. In the
year 1889 the County Commissioners fixed
their levy at a rate which was sure to pro-
duce an insufficient amount of money by
about $Se.0O. AT that time the county not
only had 10000 of bonds outstanding, but
was practically indebted $4,000 besides, II
the receipts chargeable by statute to the
year 1889 had been charged against expend-
lures chargeable by statute to the year 1859
Under this temptation temporary loans
and miSappropriat ton of funds TO purposes
not intended by the statute occurred. Dur.
ing the year from June /, 1855. the County
Commissioners borrowed $4,000 as a tenn
porary loan at o per cent. and in addition
thereto Incorporated over $l5i,O00 which
they had in the treasury and which was in
tended by the statute TO be used TO meet the
expenses for the next year, TO meet the de,
TO levy sufficient taxes for that and pre-
vious years. Even after this enormous TEN
porary loan and misrepresentation OF fund.
the books OF the county at the end OF the
year beginning June /, 1889. showed a bal
ance on the wrong side OF over $9. 0o0.
Had Republican County Commissioner
been elected in 1880 they would have found
the county with a bonded debt of $500. OoOE
then Its full limit and ~more-with a tenn