The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-12-15
Che 2Sestern Democrat, Charlotte, 21.S.
The Corruption Matter.

Senator Sweet, Republican from the Republican
county of Craven, declared that he could prove that
bribery had been used to secure appropriations bv
| the Legislature. Since he made that statement
several attempts have been made to ridcule and in
jure him, showing plainly that some fears fair
investigation To illustrate, VIC copy the following
from the proceedings Of the Senate on Saturday,
December 9TH:
"a. II. Galloway, colored, introduced resolution
proposing to remove Senator W. ii. s. Sweet from
the Committee to investigate Corruption and to sub
stifute some one in his stead.
Mr. Moore of Carteret, moved to lay the resolution
on the table, which carried Ayes 10, Nays Is
the President giving the casting vote
A. H. Galloway, colored, gave notice that he in
tended to contest the legality of the Committee. as
the resolutions appointing them should have been
read three times and they were only read once.
sent of the Senate.
A. II. Galloway, coio1ed, objected
On motion of Mr. Moore, OF Carterct, the Senate
agreed to allow Mr. Sweet to proceed.
Mr. Sweet said: Mr. President, it was not my in
tentlon, had been allowed to proceed withou: in
terruption, 10 have consumed much of the time Of
the Senate. desire to say that, a member of
this body, who has assumed an important response
bility, believe the public will sustain me, when
say that the movements Of certain persons in this
body to place me- and this investigation Committee.
in rIdleue, establish the fat cf gEt Of the most dam
mute character, and tie gtQ sr0UndreLs trembling
an Their shoes. Consequently, they are throwing
every obstacle in the way of the Committee, that
they capable Of but intend to inv estigatc this
matter thoroughly, without fear favor, and there
is nothing which pleases me better than to these
attacks on me. They finger board, Mr.
President, to guide the Committee.'
On Tuesday, the 8th, another effort was made by
AIR Hayes, the Senator from Robertson and Rich
mond, to cripple the Investigations lie contended
that the Resolutions authorizing the investigation
had not been constitutonally passed by the Senate,
and therefore ought not to be ratified by the Presi-
dent of the Senate.
In reply to Mr. Hayes, Senator Sweet spoke rs
follows:
81 submit, Mr. President, my sincere belief that
the purpose of this last demonstration ofanta gonism
TO these resolutions is the the preceding
manifestations of hostility, to wit 5rocrostination.
1t may be possible to defeat me here, but if YOU do
50, there is another forum to which shall 60 and
another jury to whom the evidence shall be sub
mitted, and that jury is composed of all who live
within the broad limits of North Carolina. Gentle
men oppose these resolutions the ground Of
constitutionatv; they say the Constitution requires
that they should have been read three times i'll the
Senate. viii make this proposition TO them: If
they VIII proGlse that II these resolutions are 10 be
read the second and third times III the Senate they
Will rote for them and offer opposition to their pas
sage will consent to their being read again. but it
matters not whether they read or not the nves
hgation will go cn--the probe shall go down into
the depths Of the wounds and they shall DC shown
up TO honest everywhere, in all their deornity.
The President announced that he had signed the
resolutions and the matter settled.
There is doubt that some of the members of the
Legislature fear investigation and have interposcd
obstacles to it We hope Mr. Sweet will push the
matter and expose the parties who robbing the
public Treasury and acting corruptly. lie may be
aSsaed and ridicued by the guilty, but the hearts
and sympathy Of all honest people are with him and
approve his course.