Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-12-11
NO. A..

1ad caused our bonds to fall eff from to
. per ceu7 He was anxious that rigid
investigation shonld be made, but he
wished the resolutions to be properl,
shaped. Though The present ones did not
meet his approval. yet he would vote fol
them.
Mr.. Latin said that, as he had been de
tanned from his seat a greater part of the
time for the last two days. he was not in
formed as to the discussion which took
place yesterday. He had read the resolu-
TORS in the Sentinel. He. as Chairman of
the Committee on Internal improvements,
and as friend to such measures, had
taken an active part in the introduction OF
such bills, and he felt it due to himself to
have rigid examination instituted. But
he was not prepared to vote for the present
resolutions, and, in order that he might
have time to thoroughly understand and
consider them, he moved to print and
make the special order for tomorrow.
j. Il. Harris, (colored,) of Wake, hoped
the gentleman would withdraw that mo-
ton, and let US dispose OF the matter at
once. he would vote for the resolutions,
but would Go SO under protest at having
ell this dlsparagement and discredi. evil
IDENTITY intended to be heaped upon the
Republican party. He believed that any
man who charged any member of this
body with corruption, uttered falsehood,
and thought the Senator from Craven (Mr.
Sweet) must be non conapos n1entiS.
Mr.. Downing said he supported the
motion to print, on yesterday, and would
do so now. He had read the resolutions
and thought them Objectionable. In read
some strange passages for instance, in one
ut OE 6
black-mail. Can any one tell the meaning
of that d?
The Chair explained that it should read
"lerying black-mail.
Mr.. Downing continued, saying that if
mistakes and errors were made in one
part, they wero likely to occur in
another F.! A substitute would be Of
fered, doing away with the Objectionable
features of the present resolutions, and
giving the proposed committee all
reasonable powers. He would support
that, for he desired rigid and close
examination of the matter to be gone into,
consistently with the dignity and honor
of this body. He would never vote for
the resolutions in their present shape
Never had such extraordinary resolutions
been offered in this country, and if the
Senator from Craven had not pledged his
word and honor to make good the charges,
he would move TO indefinitely postpone
Here was a small Committee with powers
not only to arraigu and try the whole Le
gislsture, but the Governor and all He
had been in the Senate, when the matter
first came up, and he had heard the Sena-
tor from Craven asked to name the men,
and the reply was that they (the introdu
GERS of the resolutions) "were not willing
yet to show their hands" The gentleman
(Mr. Sweet was using his influence in this
House to secure the appointment of such
Committee as he wished to have. If he
(Mr. Sweet fails to substantiate his charges
it must result in his expulsion from his
seat in the Senate. His political life hangs
upon his success in this matter. He (Mr.
Downing) was not afraid to stand here and
protest against this indecent haste. II
resolution, properly drawn, looking to-
wards the same ends, is offered, be would
heartily support it, and give the Commit
tee, when raised, all the aid and assistance
in his power.
Mr. Sinclair followed in the same strain.
Mr.. Seymour said he had not intended
to say a word on this subject, but. as per-
sonal friend of Mr. Sweet, he felt it to be
his duty to say something.
AS regarded the Representative from
Wake, j. Fl. Harris (colored,) calling Mr..
Sweet non c07apoS n1entiS, all he hal to say
was that he only wished for the sake of the
State, that this body had more like him. -
In regard to the wording of this resolution
that did not touch Mr.. Sweet. They were
in fact substitute of Mr.. Robbins. No
man who knew Mr.. Sweet, would venture
to charge him with being Influenced by
improper motives IN this matter. Nothing
but patriotic motives and convictions o1
duty had led him to make these charges -
The resolutions did not throw any slur up
on anybody. They merely gave the Com
mittee power to be effective. Who will OBJ
ject to that A full investigation is ne
cessary, in order that the honor and dig
nifty Of the Legislature may at once be vim
dicated. The Committee would have pow
er to send for persons aDd papers, and to
report, what Not conclusions. but facts.
There was nothing unconstitutional in
them, though, perhaps, they were not In
the best shape. The House certainly can
not object to the Com mittee swearing their
witnesses, and, if they are proven to have
perjured themselves, to make them liable
to the pains and penalties of that crime
If there is no objection to those things,
then whence does the objection come p
Some think these resolutions like the form
Oh II SAdCtu!GuJ anu I6'lliEO 10 10
read three times.
Mr. Pou said tbat if these resolutions
had been based merely upon report, he
would not be in favor of noticing them
Bot Senator had pledged himself to prove
the charges, and as for any indecency in
relation to the hasty passage of the resolU-
tions, he thoughts it would be more indecent
in this body to hesitate i'll the matter mo-
ment. There was a strong argument of
haste advanced by those who opposed these
resolutions. They say that this matter has
caused our bonos to depreciatc. Ought
We not then to take steps that will lead to
an immediate Investigation. and have the
affair at once cleared up, III order to relieve
our State bonds ? Nobody wuu!d be hurt
by these resolutions, except the guilty par
ties. and, il there be sucb, 70 one, lie knew
would endea7or TO shelter theu
Mr.. French offered tho following sub5ti-
tute, VIZ
WHEREAS, A certain neTuuer II the senate OF
this state has d. clared, hs place, Dat he knew
that d9lsrs and cents" had been used to lnt1u-
ence the votes Of Inemtcre oE tL.5 Assembly
t!--r fIre,
s.esOlret, That committee % five, lie part
- ,e House. to be joined Uy th' o. on the part of
the senate, TO appointed 10 !aveetigaic the charges
and thos s:id c0rnmitteo have roECr to send for
persons aud papers.
Mr.. Ingram said it was his pleasure to
IL !