The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-02-20
COTTON FRAUDS.

ton and other property selzed ana sqsuoefeu Dy
Government agents and officers under the pre-
tense that it was done by authority, wbeni it vas
evident that private speculation was at the bot
tom of the matter. FROM the following pro-
ceedinss in the q. S. Senate it will be seen that
there is prospect Of having the whole affair
investigated:
! Mr Davis Of Ky, offered resolution declaring
that as charges CT speculations and frauds bad
been made against the cotton agents OF the Irea-
sury Department, therefore,
Resolved, That a committee be raised toiip-
vestigate such charges
consideration of the resolution, but afterward
withdrew his objection at .1he request Of Mr.
Sherman, who deprecated she habit Of making
general aseusations, and called upon MIR Davis
to make specific charges.
MIR Davis had been Informed from various
sources of the truth of these charges. He had
been told by friend of his, who had means of
knowing, that within bis own experience in the
South there was not man connected with the
Treasury Department within swoop Of thou
sand miles a no had not been corrupted. He
would agree to substatiate the charges if the
committee was formed.
MIR Sherman said that the charge of Mr. Da-
Wis was very sweeping in its character: The
/
most violent charges were generally brought
against the most faithful officers. He called
upon Mr. Davis to make specific charge, and
he would guarantee fair investigation.
| Mr. Davis called for the appointment of CON-
mttee the majority of whom would be favora-
bic to a fair investigation. He had been told
that General Dana while in command on the
Mississippi had seized and appropriated cotton
belonging to private citizen, and used the pro-
ceeds for his own benefit. lie did not think it
fair to place such az investigation in the hands
of men who wanted to stifc it. lie would ask
not hing more than fair committee.
MIR Sherman said that while he was men,
Der Of the House be never sanctioned the inves-
,igation Of charges against Democratic admin.
stration until they were properly certified to-
He had no objection to the proposition OF Mr.
Davis if there was reasonable ground for it.
Mr. Davis of Kentucky said he would agree
| to prove other frauds than cotton frauds, IT the
committee was raised lie would agree to prove
frauds of money in the name Of the Government
Committed by Federal officers in Kentucky.
MIR McDougal of Cal. offered an amendment
to Mr. Davis resolution, so as to make it include
an investigation into all the charges against Gov
eminent officers at New Orleans and in the Mis-
sissippi Department. MIR McDougal, in the
course of some remarks, stated that he knew of
| d
Captain and Quarter master, who was nothing
but common gambler in California, not worth
$4,000. After his rejection by the Senate, he
went down to New Orleans, where his brother
was in command. lie engaged ir operations
there In short time he died, and by his will
which was now in the Surrogate's Court in New
York, it was clear that he had made 50 900 900.
He supposed the Senate knew who be meant
The name of Benz F. Butler familiar to all.
MIR Conness moved to lay Mr. Davis resolu-
ton on the table, which was negatived'
| Mr. Dayis knew Of several who had gone into
the army very poor aud had become rich on very
moderate salaries. lie confessed that he had
his prejudices on this subject and that be would
commence the investigation With a conviction
that there was great deal of swindling DONE
He would not ask to be upon the Committee, if
raised. All he would ask a fair Committee
and fair investigation. Such Committee
and such an investigation would bring millions
to the Treasury.
TERRIBLE TORNADO IN GEORGIA.
4 number of liues 1cst-A House raised from,
ats Foundation and blo,rn IF.
A correspondent Of the New York News,
writing from Newbern Georgia, gives the par
ticulars of tornado of unparalleled fury. One
woman was blown distance of four hundred
yards her house was found one hundred yards
distant from the foundation Of the house, frag-
E.ents of which fell six miles distant.
A green oaken board, after being carried
some three or four hundred yards, was driven
to the depth of seven inches into the cleft of
white oak, as if with maui swung with giant
power. In the immediate track of the storm
the rain tell 10 torrents, while outside Of it, at
least for any distance, there was but little, and
the ground over which the fury Of the tornado
passed is covered over with ruts, such as
usual to be seen upon the banks Of running
streams after great freshets. These are the
prominent characteristics of both the hurricane
and tornado blended 10 this wonderful phenome-
non Of nature. Some also represent it as having
been attended by glowing appearance; but
few saw it, passing as It did, with almost can
non-b ball velocity.
Every outbuilding through the entire course
Of the tornado from the point of first attack was
swept away, some of them to their very founda-
tions The same is true of fencings
But the residence Of Mr. j. q. Baily suffered
most, both as to itself and inmates-Mr Baily
being found dead at the distance of three or
four hundred yards This building encounter
ed the fercest assault of the tornado, and was
better calculated to test its strength than either
OF the other mentioned, being new, large, and
! built of heavy material but was as a feather
before it. Its lighter material, such as roofing,
planking sash, and window blinds, were carried
| far away, showers of their fragments falling six
miles and more distant Even of its heaviest
timbers, few were left near its former site, many
of them being thrown to a distance of hundreds
! of yards. One in particular, foundation sill
! for.y or City feet long and some twelve inches
snuare passed aboye some bnildinos tvo hno