The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-02-21

q 4
was procured by an act of Executive
clemency, nor to the spontaneous con.
clusion that must arise in the mind OF
every man, that this fact, unexplained
carries in it an implied confession Of
gnilt. 1 IVA SEI1 ILyp
Mr.. Furguson's accuser, the proprietor
of the REGISTER, was applied to by the
committee, through its Chairman, in the
accompanying correspondence, (marked
A, B, c, d and f, to furnish evidence
but, as the letter marked "E" elected nc
response, and as more than q week has
elapsed since it was sent to him, your
committee feels warranted in the con-
clusion that he was willing to rest the
matter on the documentary evidence to
which reference has been made.
Mr.. Furguson was also requested to
furnish any evidence he could to excul-
pate himself, but has furnished but lit,
J tie that your committee can accept as
evidence. The evidence of Capt. Rams
dale, who saw the parties come off the
boat on which the crime is alleged to
have been committed, tended to con-
firm the statement made by Mr.. Furgu-
son to the House in regard to his con-
dition, and also showed that the over
coat of Mr.. Burns, alleged to have been
stolen by said Ferguson, could have
been of no value to him for his personal
use, as it was much too small tor him
to wear.
1t is perhaps the duty Of your COM
mittee to state that, upon his own re-
quest, Mr.. Furguson was permitted to
make the committee statement under
oath, in regard to the matter; but that
no part of this statement can claim the
weight of evidence, except the admis-
sion of the fact that he did consent to
the use of the pardon referred to, to
procure his dismissal from the custody
of the Court.
Your committee are disposed to take
Mr.. Furguson's statement of the affair,
in regard to the circumstances attend
ing it, so far as his condition is con-
cerned, as true; but cannot accept the
plea of intoxication as an excuse for
crime. rcrge
In conclusion, your committee feel
bound to say that, whilst Mr.. Furgu-
sons accuser has failed to adduce any
testimony to strengthen the documenta-
ry evidence which he has produced, Mr..
Furguson, Jon his part, has failed to pro-
duce any evidence to weaken the force
of the documentary evidence produced
by the editor of the REGISTER, in justi-
fication Of his charge.
Your committee have thus endeavored
to present plain statement of the facts
ofthe case, as far as they have been able
to develop them, and it now remains for
the House to determine whether any,
and what further action it may be prop
er to take in the matter.
T. NJ. HARRIS,
j. w. CRACRAFT,
49, IS. SPENCER,
| .... = i &, GRo. KooNCE.
The undersigned, members of the
4 committee, concur in the following,
viz: That, without deciding on the nc.
tual guilt or innocence of Mr.. Furguson,
"a question that they have no means
fully to investigate) they yet think
that the legal aspect of the case, from
the evidence before the committee is
such that proper regard for the honor
of the House would lead Mr.. Furguson
to disembarrass it of the implication
now resting upon it, by resigning his
seat. L. NJ. HARRIS,
S. S. SPENCER,
! 4. '....-- ... j. NJ. BICKEL.
The Joint resolution authorizing the
Governor to appoint one or more per
sons to complete the codifying of the
laws, was passed.
The following House Bills were pass
ed: ts ..' as. ~"
The bill authorizing Henderson II.
Beall to build a mill-dam across Elk
river, in BraxtOn county.
The bill incorporating the Oxford and
Greenwood Turnpike Company, in Dod'
bridge county. ..
The bill prescribing how the general
school fund shall be apportioned to Po-
cahontas, Monroe and Greenbrier couh-
ties in 1867.
The bill to amend the law respecting
the assessment of real estate.
The bill amending the law relating to
river improvements, locks, dams, etc.
The bill suspending the payment of
taxes in Greenbrier county, for 1865.
The bill appropriating S4OO. to pay
VIM. 8. Robinson for expenses incurred
IN recruiting men to fill up the quota OF
the 37th sub-district of this State.
The bill appropriating S4l5.S3 for
Jacob b. Roger, late Superintendent OF
the Stanton Turnpike.
The bill authorizing the transfer OF
Brooke county Academy to the Board OF
Education of Wellsburg.
The bill to incorporate the town OF
Elizayille, Kanawha County.
The bill to amend and re-enact the
charter of the Elk River Turnpike Com
lpany.
The bill allowing to Fayette county
her quota of the general school fund for
1856, in addition to thBt for 1867.
The bill establishing the county OF
Lincoln out of parts of the counties OF
Cabell, Putnam, Kanawha and Boone
The bill amending the charter of the
East River and Princeton Turnpias
Company, of Mercer county. so as to
authorize the contractors OF said road
to make it twelve feet wide.
The consideration of the Registration
bill was made the special for Tomorrow
morning at eleven o'clock.
House took recess.
AFTERNooG SESSION.
The report of the committee on the
question of Privilege in the Ferguson
case was taken up.
An extended discussion ensned upon
the report. The members of the com
mittee said it had been disagreeabie
task, but they had endeavored to dc
their duty.
Mr.. WHEAT said the report amounted
to nothing; the House knew Mr.. Fer
guson had been indicted and pardOned
What we wanted to know was whether
the man was guilty; if he was guilty
expel him; if he was thief we could
not az an honorable body of men sit on
the same floor with him; he did not be-
j lieve he was guilty, and would vote fol
the rejection Of the report.
i Mr.. CUNNINGHAM said Mr.. Fergu,
son had admitted his guilt, before the
question had been submitted to the
committee; we had too many pardOned
men in the land now; the gentleman ap,
peared to have been on all sides of the
question, and as he tod us the other