The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-16
COMMITTEEFAVORED PAYMENT
BUT AFTER A HOT ARGUMENT THE
REPORT WAS REFERRED BACK.
Mr.. Artman's Bill Relating to Changes
OF Venue Killed in the Sem
ate-Day's Routine.

members were angry. The row Of the after
noon was precipitated by the report of the
special committee appointed to investigate
the claim of the widow and heirs Of Edwin
May for 5000. which they claim was never
paid him for services as architect of the
state prison.
This claim has been before every Legis-
lature for many years and the claim is that
the amount has been due for over thirty
years. The committee consists of Mr.. Stew
ems, Mr.. Williams and Mr.. Downey. Mr..
Stevens presented the report. 1t was most
voluminous document and included certified
copies of the proceedings of the board which
authorized the work to be done, affidavits
supporting the claim, which the committee
has taken the original order, which. it is
claimed has never been paid, and every
document in the possession Of the commit
tee bearing on the case. There was also
statement that had been made by Bruce
Carr, once auditor Of state, certifying that,
up to 1889, there was no record in that Of
flee that the claim had ever been paid.
The committee unanimously recommended
that the claim be paid and stated that it
found the claim to be a valid and just one.
The report stated that every Legislature
has come to the same conclusion, but that
the claim has never been paid. Mr.. Stevens
made a strong speech in favor of allowing
the claim. He denounced the action Of for
mer Legislatures on the subject and said
that the State should pay its just debts. He
urged the members that this debt should be
paid settled once for all, and that the hon
or of the State should be maintained Mr..
James desired to make the report Of the
committee a special order for Friday even
ing, but this was voted down. Mr.. Downey,
who was on the committee, spoke at length
in favor of the report and said it was the
honest unprejudced opinion of the men,
bers of the committee that had been ex-
pressed. Mr. Williams Endorsed the report
and stated his belief that the claim was a
valid one Mr. Noel moved to refer the re-
port to the ways and means committee.
with instructions that this sum be included
in the general appropriation bill He stated
that. in the face Of the evidence presented
by the committee no defense against the
claim could be made. His motion was de-
ferred until the House concurred in the re-
port of the committee and then the trouble
commenced. Mr.. Blankenship said he
wanted to see some evidence that the claim
has been paid. He knew those who claimed
that the record of the payment of this claim
could be pointed out. He grew sarcastic and
said he would not permit beautiful woman
to influence him in matter ike TINS and
that it was something that called for dis
passionate judgment. Mr.. Noel turned on
him and asked why he had not presented
this evidence to the committee or had not
called the committees attention to it. Mr..
Blankenship acknowledged that he knew the
committee in session and that it
considering this matter but he had not had
time to attend to this
WHAT MIR. BARLOW HAD HEARD.
Mr.. Roose moved to table the motion to
refer the report to the committee. but the
motion was lost. Mr.. Barlow said he had
been told by member of the Senate that
the record of this payment had been found
and he wanted more time to investigate the
claim. Mr.. Roots suggested that the matter
be referred to the committee and then the
House could strike out the allowance when
the appropriations bill should come in If 1t
so desired. This was not kindly received and
Mr.. Murphy, of White, spoke with great
fervor in favor of allowing the claim. He
was followed by Mr.. Somers, who stirred
up some heated argument. lie first raised
the question as to whether or not this claim
had been assigned to Mrs. May, and it was
found that it had. Mr.. Somers next asked
whether or not the claim had been assigned
10 any PAID attorney VINO was interested IN
its passage. Mr.. Noel took exceptions to this
and said that 1t was an insinuation against
him because he was in favor of allowing
the claim. This was disclaimed by Mr..
SOmerS, who said that he did not intend to
strike anyone by his remarks unless that
paid attorney was on the floor. When he
had finished, Mr.. Noel was thoroughly an
gered and Jumped to his feet. He denounced
these insinuations and said Mr.. Somers did
not rise to his feet except to make tnsinua-
tons and innuendOes. Further, he declared
that on former occasions Mr.. Somers had
used language on the floor of the House
that was unworthy of utterance in liv-
cry stable. much less on the floor of the
House and in the presence of ladies'" He
declared that the man with suspicion in his
heart and who cried suspicion constantly
was the man who was dangerous and the
one to watch.
Mr.. NoeI's remarks caused some applause
and Mr.. Somers demanded that he write
out the words used on the floor to which
he had taken exception, but Speaker Little
ton took q hand at this point and declared
that order should be preserved. Mr.. James
demanded that Mr.. NoeIs words be taken
down, but this demand was withdrawn at
once. Mr. Blankenship and Mr. Stevens
took their turn and were in fair way to
saw more than each intended over the
failure of Mr.. Rlankenship to report what
evidence he had on the other side, when
Speaker Littleton made more noise with his
gavel and these gentlemen Quoted down
Mr.. Noel then withdrew bis motion and
moved that the report be referred back to
the committee to hear evidence on the other
side and report back on Saturday This
was done and the white-wnged dove Of
peace came out from the hiding place.
TWO CORPORATION BILLS.
In new bills Mr.. Bonham devoted some
attention to corporations His first bill re-
quires all corporations to file a notice Of
dissolution with the secretary of state. His
second bill is more radical. 1t requires all
corporations to file with the secretary of
state between Jan. l and 20 of each year
a sworn statement showing the amount Of
the capital stock, the assessments made and
actually paid in and the amount of debts
outstanding. This statement Is to be pub
lished in a paper of general circulation in
the county wherein the corporation has its
headquarters and failure to comply with the
law forfeits the certificate or incorporation.
The bill by Mr.. Baker. Of Whitley, pro-
vides that on the petition or twenty-five
freeholdeTs a special election snail be called
in a county or township to vote on the
question of levylng a tax to assist an edu-
catiOnal institution. The bill is special and
applies TO KosciusIo county only, where II
is the intention TO try to start q permanent
educational institution at Winona. The bill
provides that the tax shall not exceed per
cent. Mr.. Baker also introduced a bill to
authorize the holding Of teachers Institutes
in two or more counties jointly.
Mr.. Compton filed a motion to reconsider
the vote by which the bill TO provide for
the time Of holding court In the Forty
seventh circuit was ordered engrossed and
Mr. Murphy. Ct Marion, filed motion TO
reconsider the vote by which Mr.. Cara
ways anti-stock yards trust bill was or
dered engrossed,
them was the bill by Mr.. Stevens to prevent
trustees from abandoning school property
without the consent OF the townships. Mr.,
Aildn's blu to uuit expenses o. building