Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-12-17

fnl Sinking and intention to smother a
fair investigation
Mr.. Malone moved to request tie ap.
| pearance Of the Superintendent Of Public
Works. Carried.
Mr.. Stilley moved torequest the appear
ance of ths Treasurer. Carried.
Mr.. Hinnant moved to summon c.. ".
Swepson. Carried.
Mr.. Seymour moved that all persons
who have been Presidents Of railroads since
May 1st, 1866. in which the State is inter
ested, be summoned before the com mittae,
Carried.
| The Superintendent of Public Works ap-
| peared before the bar of the House
Mr.. Malone then proposed the following
questions
1st. Please state what Railroad Compa-
MES have failed or refused to report to YOU
as required by law
| Answer. The Wilmington and Tarboro',
W., @. & r. r. R., Chatham r. R., A &
\. Z. i. r., Western Division of Western
L. r., mo report from either Swepson OF
Littleheld) Eastern Division OF the same
Road. have not yet been received. The
| report Of the Western r. r. received this
morning.
% @. Have you demanded these re-
| ports
4. I sent blanks for chat purpose some
| two months ago.
| Sd g. Have they Or any Of them refused
| to allow you to investigate the affairs of
| their roads?
| Mr.. Moore, Of Chowan, objected to the
| question on the ground that the law gave
no power to the Superintendent of Public
| Works, if the question applied to the
| books, &c.
The Chairman decided that the question
| was admissible.
| Mr.. Malone said
Is it not strange that gentlemen would
throw obstacles in the way Of this investi-
CATION? The 4th section of the act defn-
ing the duties of the Superintendent Of
Public Works. requiring him to report, IN
detail, every item demanded by him.
Here is refusal of these Directors to
allow the high officer of the government
| to observe their condition. This is mon
strous Here is $8,O00,000 of stock in the
hands of these Directors. Shall we not
have their condition fully exposed
| After long debate, Mr.. Moore, of
Chowan, appealed from the decision of the
! Chair.
Mr.. Seymour also objected to the gues-
ton.
Isham Sweat thonght the Superinten-
dent of Public Works had a perfect right
to examine books of the roads or the
books of anything else that concerned the
public works of the State, he did not IN
derstand why gentlemen should object to
this question. By so objecting they placed
themselves in an awkward position.
Mr.. Argo made an able and conclusive
argument, strengthened in his position by
extracts both from the constitution and
acts of the General Assembly, that the
Superinte tendent of Public Works had a
perfect right to examine the accounts and
| books of these companies. If that officer
had no such power, how could he ever
ascertain that companies were acting in
good faith. How could he ascertain the
fncts which the law reQ"ired him to re-
pJrt, unless this power was given him.
The Law was plain.
Mr.. Moore said the debate had risen be.
cause of the ambiguity of the question
He withdrew his appeal.
The Superintendent asked to be allowed
to explain his position. He said that if
he be llowed to examine the books il
must be after the reports had been re-
ceived.
Mr.. Holden wished to amend the ques-
ton adding the words ''with the provis'
ions of the law to come after the word
"you."
| Isham Sweat, colored, said that these
proceedings aroused his suspicion that
gentlemen were determined to prevent in
vestigation. Positions taken by gentle
men upon this floor excited his supicio1
individually, that they intended to throw
obstacles in the way of every thing that
might go to pro0e anything. He wished
this assertion to go out to the people OF
the State. All this quibbling was sustained
by the Republican party, who lad ma
jority in the House, tended to show that
purposes existed to stave off ali examina.
ton by offering all kinds of objections and
amendments.
The question whether the amendment
was in order gave rise to a long debate
pending decision sthe committee, on
motion arose.
The Chairman reported progress and
asked leave to sit again. Report adopted.
A message was received from the Gov
ernor transmittinga communication from
the Treasurer declaring his willingness tc
| put the House in possession Of all the IN
formation he had but declining to appea,
before the Committee of the Whole to be
investigated,
Mr.. Argo moved to spread the commu
nication and accompanying document on
the Journal.
Objection was raised by Mr.. Seymour.
The communication and accompanying
document was ordered to be printed.
The House then adjourned until z
o'clock this evening.