The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1858-02-27
Special Committee for Investigation Of
Affairs of Railroad COmpanies-A Dis
graceful FfZZlc.

We were not unprepared for the announce
ment Of the disgraceful issue of the Investi-
eating Committees indicated by the heading
of this article. From the first mention Of
the Committees, and especially after we
learned of the boast of the President of one
of the Companies, that "those Committees
would not prove very damaging" we felt
persuaded they would either prove an abor-
ton, or at most, serve to uh aepash the sep
ulchres of corruption, which they were APP
pointed to investigate and expose. Our first
impressions were ect,-they have proved
an abortion, and when all the circumstances
are considered, we think the most disgrace
full and disreputable one that ever came
within our knowledge
Whitewashing, We apprehend, will not
save some of them. We do not mean that
the whole of the members of those Commit
tees have proved recreant. On the contrary,
we are informed by gentleman who was
present during the whole sitting on Friday
afternoon, that the whole of the members
were not present, and that of those who
were, Messrs. KEITH and RuTAN, to the~
honor, amidst the general recreancy, be it
said, acted the part Of men, conscious of their
duty; but unsupported, their efforts were
more than neutralized by the fierce oppo
siton of OTIs, of the House, and NORTON, o!
the Senate Committee, who undertook, anu
ultimately succeeded, in the disgraceful and
faithless task of sitting investigation alto
gether. In the conduct of the former Of
these two gentlemen, we were not disap
pointed knowing him to be the representa-
tive of sole constituent-EDMUND RICE,
Esq, whose whole fortune personally and
politically, depends upon smothering this in
vcstigation and obtaining this loan from the
State; but in tie other-the Senator from
Winona-we confess we had hoped for bet
ter things. We believed him to Be impclled
in his course, upon the question of loaning
the State credit, by sense of duty to his
immediate constituents and although we
regarded this measure as paramount to any
local interest, still we found no fault with
the Senator so long as his conduct was open
and honorable, and charitably supposed that
he was igno ant of the wholesale corrup-
tions pr.cticed at the late Extra Session of
the Territorial Legislature, in disposing OF
the grant-lands.
But how can we reconcile his late conduct
in committee with these suppositions? He
has forfeited all claim to them and in his re-
marks in committee admitted his knowledge
Of those frauds.
Mr. NORTON is reported to have said in
committee in substance as follows; and if we
do him injustice in the report, we will only
be too glad 10 correct it:
SSH am in favor of the adoption of this Resolution
requiring the committee to report back to their respec
houses and ask for inst ucons to power to
compel the attendance of witnesses. Witnesses have
been summoned and have refused to attend before this
committee. understand the principal witness refuses
attend and unless enforce the attendance
unwilling witnesses will be obliged to base
ports the onesided testimony of acing acitnesses
who voluntarily come here to 6etrdy their friends Il
we have to compel the attendance of witness
who might clear implicated by these fast ar
nesses, who do not hesitate to betrdy the confidence
their friends, the sooner we know it the better"
The honorable Senator repeated, it is said
again and again with, emphasis, "puliag wit.
mssses," fast citnesses,'' "villing uitnesses rho
voluntarily appear to betray their friends" and
remarks of that character.
But what did the honorable Senator mean
by making such remarks ? We cannot dc
him the injustice to suppose that they were
wholly gratuitous No, both the fallacy and
intention are only too apparent. The Sena
tor was aware that there were facts to ''be
tray" His remarks admit his knowledge O.
the fact that there were '..fiends to betray' and
frauds and corruption were the subjects O
"beirayal" 1t is too late, after that unfortu
nate speech to deny any knowledge; and the
poor fallacy, of not being able to enforce the
attendance of persons implicated to purge
themselves of the charges, is unworthy oil
Mr.. NoRroN's acknowledged ability.
The secret of this foolish excuse was, that
the gentleman after it was too late, became
aware that he had betrayed himself and III
his confusion knew not what he did say. But
having betrayed his knowledge of the fraud
and coruptions and exhibited his apprehen
sicns of the betrayal of friends" he deter
mined to shield them at all hazards, both b,
refusing to hear the testimony of witnesse
then present, and his efforts to deter, b
abuse, Others from appearing.
Censure should not fall on these gentIeme,
alone. There were others present who acte,
with them five to two-less active it is true