Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-12-04
Bribery and Corruption.

"Whs1 thieves fall out honest men receive
their Dues
We have, upon several occasions. said
that money had been voted and bonds
issued By the Legislature of North Caro-
lima through fraud and corruption. No
longer ago than yesterday we argued
against the payment of that portion of our
public debt created by the present Gen
ersl Assembly, not only because the debt
was created illegally, but also on account
of the bribery used to accomplish the pas
sage of the bills. We were not able to
prove the fact OF money being used for the
purpose Of passing certain bills, but we
were as fully persuaded of its truth rs if
we know it. Concurrent testimony Of
numerous gentlemen who had visited
Raleigh for the purpose of advancing sew
eral schemes before the Legislature, con-
WINGED US that the ma jority Of that body,
or at least those who controlled that ma
iority, could be, and were, time and again,
purchased "for dollars and cents" We
have been told that two hundred thousand
dollars of the bonds of the State were given
to certain members of the Legislature for
the passage of the bill giving aid to the
Chatham Railroad, and so frequently has
the rumor come to US that we believe that
bribery was resorted to in the passage of
that bill. In fact, bribery and corruption
is believed to be used to such degree that
the projectors Of any and every scheme
have only O struggle between honesty and
their own and the interest of their partic-
ular section, to decide whether they will
purchase the facor of the Legislature.
We are glad to see that this matter has
been called up in the Legislature, and by
Republican and Northern man. Mr.
SWEET, the Senator from Craven, of whom
we have received most favorable accounts,
and whose name we have not heard con-
nected with these "legislative short COM
ings," has brought the most serious charges
against certain members of the General
Assembly. He declares most positively, as
Senator, that he stands ready to prove
conclusively that the votes Of members aOere
bouyht. for dollars and cents, and introduces
resolution of inquiry. Here the issue is
presented directly. and the Senator chal-
lenges an investigation. The mouthy and
silly Senator from Wake grows FESTIVE IN
der the charge and pronounces the resolu-
ton, if it refers to him, foul SANDER on
his character. We suppose this Individuals
innocent. When these legislative Shylocks
the passage OF bills, they used their means
to purchase men who had some present in
f1uencc, or whose ability gave promise of
future influence in the body. Sensible men
ara not apt to shoot ounce balls at spar
rows, or set dead falls for minks as pay
ing operation. In game in which such
important stakes are of issue, popinjays
are estimated OF their true value. And such
men need not take any neglect to purchase
their useless favors for any compliment to
their useless honesty.
The tax-psying people Of North Carolina
are fully persuaded that bribery has been
used to pass the illegal appropriations
made by the present Legislature, and they
will exercise every honorable effort to
avoid the payment Of these debts. In the
| name OF justice and law, we thank Senator
SWEET for his resolution, and urge him to
press it in vindication of his own and his
! fellows honesty and virtue, and in be-
half of the integrity and welfare of n orth
Carolina.