REPORT OF THE MINORITY COMMITTEE ON THE NEGOTIATION AND SALE OF INDIANA STATE BONDS. Made to the Legislature, 1864. INDIANAPOLIS: W. R. HOLLOWAY, STATE PRINTER. 1865. Part II.-D. J.-42 REPORT. SENATE CHAMBER, Indianapolis, January 22, 1864. To the General Assembly of the State of Indiana : The minority of the Committee appointed by the last session of the General Assembly to inquire into the negotiation and sale of the Indiana State Bonds, the issue of which was authorized by an act of the General Assembly, at its Special Session in 1861, the disbursement of the Governor's Contingent Fund, and to investigate and report upon the expenditures of the State Arsenal, the Quartermasters' and Commissary Departments of the State, and the purchase of State arms, regard it their duty to the people of Indiana, and but an act of justice to those whose conduct has been made the subject of legislative investigation, to submit the following report: - In doing so, they regret that their efforts to procure the attendance and co-operation of the majority, who so zealously sought and urged the investigation, have been wholly unavailing. Every reasonable effort has been made to secure the attendance of a full Committee, to consider the subject matter of this report, but every effort has, up to the present time, proven abortive. Why the majority of the Committee have so long failed to meet and assist us in the preparation of the report anticipated by the resolution of the Legislature, we are unable to conjecture. The Committee concluded its deliberations in the early part of June last, and adjourned with the understanding that Hon. Thomas R. Cobb, who, (in consequence of protracted illness on the part of Hon. George S. Brown), acted most of the time as its Chairman, would prepare the report, and that the Committee would be convened at the earliest practicable day for its consideration. Up to the 22d day of September, no call had been made for a meeting of the Committee, and on that day, Col. W. H. H Terrell, the Governor's Financial Secretary, addressed a communication to each member asking that the Committee should be convened at the State House, on the 29th day of September, for the purpose of closing up its business and making its final report. On that day, in compliance with this request, we met at the State House, but neither Mr. Packard, the Clerk, nor any member of the majority, was present. Hoping that at a future day it would be convenient for them to meet us, we transacted no business at that time, but forwarded each of them a note requesting a conference on a day named, in the early part of the month of October. In the event they were enabled to be present with us, we asked that a copy of the record and evidence taken should be sent us to enable us to prepare the report. At the time last mentioned, of the majority, Mr. Cobb only was present, and the record of proceedings could not be had. Without doing anything, those present agreed upon an adjournment, fixing the first week of the ensuing term of the Supreme Court as the time when the Committee should meet and make its final report. Again the majority wholly failed to meet us, and again we concluded to take no action, cherishing the hope that at some early moment in the future it might suit the convenience of the Chairman to call us together. No such call has yet been made, and, believing, from the circumstances above named, that the majority are not inclined to meet us, or to make a report of our proceedings, we have thought it right that we should assume that responsibility. In making this report, we labor under unusual embarrassments, not the least of which is that the evidence taken, and the journal of proceedings had, are in the possession of Mr. Packard, and it is impossible for us to have access to them in preparing it. For this reason, we shall be unable to state facts with that accuracy we would wish or which their importance demands. To us this is a matter of deep regret. Our investigation covered a wide range of subjects and embraced transactions amounting to millions of dollars. Volumes of vouchers were examined, and the conduct of numerous agents of the State Government closely scrutinized. Our aim was to discover corruptions and frauds, if they existed, and expose them and bring the delinquents to justice. If the public money had been squandered, if employes of the State had taken advantage of the trust confided to them for their own personal aggrandisement, we hoped to discern it and to recommend the proper measures for redress. On the other hand, if the people's servants had been faithful; if they had discharged their duties with ability and fidelity; if the expenditures of the public money had been characterized by prudence and economy, we felt it but simple justice to them that the fact should be stated. Much had been said about corruption in high places. Many insinuations had been thrown out about frauds and fraudulent contracts. Much, therefore, was expected at the hands of the Committee. When its labors had been concluded, the people had a right to hear the results of its investigations. We do not suppose a difference of opinion would have existed between the majority and ourselves in reference to any matter disclosed in our investigations. Indeed, there was no conflict in the testimony to reconcile, nor was there any statement made that could furnish room for differences of opinion. Therefore, our report can contain but a plain summary of facts. THE GOVERNOR'S CONTINGEnt fund. The Committee first directed its attention to the expenditure of the Contingent Fund, placed at the disposal of the Governor, by the act of May 6, 1861. They carefully examined each voucher and the cause of the expenditure. They found the vouchers correct and the disbursements proper in every respect. This fund was placed at the disposal of the Governor "for the purpose of paying the expense of calling out and paying and sustaining the militia, under the requisition of the President of the United States." At the time of the appointment of the Committee, Indiana had about 100,000 men in the field in response to the call of the Government. Most of them were in front of the enemy; disease had stricken many down, and they were lying in the various hospitals of the South. Others bore the honorable wounds of the battle-field. The care and attention of friends, under the circumstances, could not be given them. We are gratified to state that the fund placed at the disposal of the Governor, was, in part, expended for the benefit of the patriotic and courageous men who had gone to endure the toil and brave the dangers and perils of the field. Physicians and nurses, medicines and supplies were freely furnished for our sick and suffering soldiery. Scarcely had the smoke of battle been swept from the ensanguined field, before Sanitary supplies and everything within the range of possibility, were on the ground for the relief of the wounded. Much the larger part this fund was expended in procuring supplies and equipments for the Indiana regiments, and in paying for services that might properly have been paid out of the General Military Appropriation, which |