THE M'COLLOUGH CASE.
Mr. Kimball, from the Committee on Ways and Means, returned Mr. Lenfesty's concurrent resolution for an appropriation to enable Joseph Morgan, of Grant county, to pursue James McCollough, charged with the murder of Wm. C. Morgan, and awaiting his trial in the Benton circuit court, with material evidence in the case, and the committee propose amendments thereto by way of substitute, making it a joint resolution, requesting the Governor, if in his judgment he shall deem it proper to do so, to use of his contingent fund a sum of money not exceeding $400, to procure testimony in the case of the State against James Collough, charged with the murder of Wm. C. Morgan, in the Benton circuit court.
Mr. Cauthorn hoped the House would not concur in this report, and would not adopt any resolution giving a dollar out of the treasury for any such purpose. If any citizen of the State has expended time and money to find out and expose a case of murder, he has done no more than his duty; and it is unjust to attempt a remuneration in this way. Such special legislation should not be tolerated here.
Mr. Branham. Has not the Governor been in the habit of so using his contingent fund?
Mr. Cauthorn. He has. But let the Governor exercise his own sound discretion without advice or request from the General Assembly. If it were determined by the House that this appropriation of money is right, then let the House pass a resolution requiring him, to do this thing. But we are not advised of the facts.
Mr. Kimball. For the information of the gentleman from Knox, I would inform the House that this reported substitute was written by the Governor himself. It is the result of his reflections upon it, after having the matter in his hands for forty-eight hours.
Mr. Lenfesty claimed that there has never occurred such a case in the State, where a father, without means, has pursued the murderer of his son for eight years. He was pleased with modification of the joint resolution reported by the committee - placing the whole thing in the discretion of the Governor.
The Speaker stated that the joint resolution reported has no title, and directed the preparation of a title. It was written promptly by Mr. Lenfesty: "A joint resolution authorizing the Governor to pay out of the contingent fund certain money therein named."
The joint resolution was then passed on the part of the House of Representatives - yeas, 84; nays, 3.
Leaves of absence being asked for Messrs. Isenhower, Glasgow, Spellman, Barrett. Wolfiin, Rumsey, and the Committee on Ways and Means, the Speaker suggested that this course would result in leaving the House without a quorum, and the pending business will require the most rigid economy of time if it is to be properly closed up during the session. Leaves of absence should be granted only in cases of sickness.
