The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-12-09
printed and made the special order for to-

ter, because Of tile indecent haste with which
they were hurried through the Senate. He
saw in them designto disparagc the Legls-
laturc, II not the entire Republican party.
When bribery was charged in the Conven-
ton last winter, a committee were empOw-
cred to send for persons and papers. Mr..
Durham, its Chairman, would tell us that not
a single man refused to answer summons and
every question put him. He resented this
attempt to throw obloquy upon the Repub-
lican party and upon this honorable body.
He did not believe any man in this
House was so demoraliacd, SO completely
bathed in dcbauchery, MS to sell his vote
tor dollars and cents, and he believed any
man who uttered it uttered falschood.
He invited tho committee to call up every
colorcd man, and believed nothing could he
found against them. He was almost con-
WINGED that the Senator from Craven would
he found non compass sRentis. l.i i.nH
Mr. owNINa thought the form of the reso-
luton very objectionable. He asserted that
neither In this country nor in England had
such resolutions been presented to u egisla-
tive body. When a charge is made of cor
ruption, the accuser makes his charge against
the accused and asks an investigation.
If it was not that the Senator from Craven
had pledged himself to prove these charges,
he would move to postpone these resolutions
based simply upon rumor. He heard the
Senator from Craven reply to an inquiry
whom he referred to- by saying: "No, We
do not feel disposed to show our hand" 1T
he was not incorrectly informed, the Senator
had been using his influence in this House
| to have a committee appointed to suit him
| SELF He had made charges which, If not
sustained, must result in his expulsion from
his seat. His political life depended upon
| his success, and he might resort to meas
ures that are not proper. He, MIR.
Downing, went for investigation, and was
not afraid to enter his protest against these
resolutions upon the broad principles of
| right and justice. He seconded the motion
to print. fla proper committee was raised,
he should give it all the aid possible.
Mr. SINCLAIR said it seemed foohardiness
on the part of any one at this stage of the
proceedings to attempt any vindication of
this body. Every one who dared to raise
his voice in defence of the Assembly would
be actually denounced as partner in the
corruption, and the press has joined in it.
He defied any man to show shadow of o
shade upon him, or those who are acting
with him in this matter, and would hold
him personally responsible to prove it. In
all criminal cases man has the benefit of a
trial by jury, and he cannot be brought in
guilty unless the jury agrees. But here a
bare majority Of q committee can blast
mans reputation forever, and he should for
ever oppose any such provision. In the
case of Warren Hastings no steps were taken
by the Parliament untilafidavits of corrup-
ton were received from Princes and the
high officers in India. But that trial, though
acquitting Hastings, ruined him. His
friends from Johnston PoU and Craven
(SeymouD told us that the resolutions must
pass at once, and then told US that there is
clause making an offence punishable,
which, they say, does not now exist ON the
statute book, and still moved to pass it
through in one day without consideration.
Let proper resolutions pass, and he would
do all in bis power to bring guilty parties to
justice, ii any were found. 49,.
Mr.. SEYMOUR said he was called upon to
say a word in regard to the motives Of his
friend and colleague (Mr Sweet These
resolutions were offered by the Senator from
Rowan, Mr.. Robbins, as substitute for the
resolutions offered by Mr.. Sweet. Whether
the charges were proven or not, he said, no
one who knew Capt. Sweet would doubt
that he brought them forward purely for
the public good. The fullest powers were
given to the committee so that the innocent
might be fully absoved from any charges
against them. He agreed with the gentlemen
who say that it does require three readings
Mr. Dnr,a.,.a asked II they were read
three times in the Senate.
Mr.. SEYMOUR replied in the negative.
The CHAIR thought they required three
readings.
Mr. LAFL1N called attention to section 25,
act 2, of the Constitution, which says. "All
bills and resolutions of legislative nature,
shall be read three times in each house be-
fore they pass into laws"
Mr. PoU did not design to throw obloquy
upon Conservative or Republican members
of the House by favoring these resolutions.
/; A Senator had said lie could prove charges,
=! and it was due to the Legislature that he
should have an opportunity to relieve him
sell from a delicate position, or to have the
Assembly cleared of the charge There was
nothing that could hurt anybody unless
there should be guilt fixed somewhere, and
if there should be guilt fixed, no one could
wish to shield the guilty parties. q
The motion to print and postpone was
withdrawn. go ~ 1a 1}st-fsf 5Ha2
Mr. FRENCH offered the following substi-
tutc: sfTE fo1 a-let.
~" v HEREAs, A certain member of the Senate
/ OF this State has declared in his place that he
knew That dollars and cents had been used to
influence the votes OF members of thi sAssembly;
| therefore, aiyeg q. igHta.3 94. 81
!" Resolved, That committee of five on the
part of the House, to be Joined by three on the
| part OF the Senate, be appointed to investigate
the said charges, and that said committee have
power to send for persons and papers,
Mr.. FRENCH felt confident that the substi-
tute would be adopted unanimously, and
that it would have nearly if not qnite all the
power that is given in the original resolu-
| tions. he &c i7f7i 1hfi7 .M
Mr. INGRAM opposed the substitute.
p Mr.. VEST understood the Constitution to
hold the Legislature as court in all cases
of bribery amongst members, therefore he
was unwilling to abolish our right as such
and give it to few individuals. The first
resolution was out of order; the substitute
was fair, and he favored its adoption.
Mr.. PoU hoped the substitute would be
voted down. 6i 2 p g'f7 Il q b
Mr.. FRENCH moved the previous question.
Mr.. HoDNETT demanded the yeas and
nays on that motion. aaii u YER ls-a1s-.
The previous question was ordered yeas
rs, nays 80. z i97on4 ilra alii55l5s ,9i
MIR. DURHAM demanded the yeas and nays
on the adoption Of the substitute
The substitute was adopted-yeas Sc,
nays ID, as follows; e9s.t - afsa
YrAs-Mesere Ance Aobvortb ponrana,, p.x,
Blair, Carson, Carey, Cawthorn, Cherry. Craw,
ford, Dixon, Downing, Ellington, Estes, Forkner,
Foster, Franklin, French, Gahagan, Graham,
| Gunter, Harris of Franklin, Harris of Wake,