Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-02-09


dence of Rutter, under the circumstances
as at all reliable.
Your committee, deeply impressed with
the magnitude of the task, having, as il
might be termed, the hopes and happiness
Of an individual that has occupied high
and responsible positions since the fosna-
ton Of the State government. and has
worked zealousIy 70 support and perpetu-
ate the same, be he guilty or not, is IN
doubtedly q task and a position
that is by no means enviabIe, even
TO those who cherish and cultivate
the burning fres of passion, and who
desire to lower their fellow -men to the
depths of abject poverty and disgrace.
Consequently, in this light the House may
rest assured that our position in the prem
ises has been quite delicate yet your com
mlttee, divestigg themselves of all preja-
dice and passion, have given the subject
thar consideration Of thought which il de-
mands, and have acted, or tried to act, "a
impartial Judge, knowing that the result
OF our deliberations will be read by untold
hundreds, and il made without reflection,
viii cast more odium on the committee
than Oh the accused, should he be guilty.
Of the charges.
Approaching fully the magnitude Of the
subject, and knowing that it becomes the
duly Of the Representatives of the people
to decide upon ihe reception of this report,
pro or con-, your committee have calmly
deliberated and matured fully the whole
testimony, and from that testimony have
come 20 the following conclusion;
LIST. That the records of the 34lh Gen
ersl Assembly fully exenerate Mr.. Rich
ards OF aiding by vote or assisting by any
legislation whatever, to place the school
fund in Mr.. Ratter's bank.
!, u Thar the laws OF Tennessee. passed By
the 18th General Assembly. entities and gives
TO Mr.: Richards the right to testify in his own
behalf, notwithstanding the exceptions made
by Mr. East. the Attorney for the State.
as developed in the. preceding evidence your
committee are unable TO arrive at any other
conclusion thon the innocence of the accused
member of the charges implied against him.
our committee do there fore recommend
the passage, by your honorable bjdy. of the
following resolutions tO-wit.
Resolved by the House of Representatives Of
the General Assembly Of the State of Tennessee.
That the committee raised under House resolu-
ton No. 3l5, to whom wa5 referred the investi-
CATION OF certain charges implicitly made against
Hon. Z. ;; Klehargs, a member Of the House,
gated the charges Of completely in detrauding
the State of a large sum Of money belonging 70
the school fund. and said committee having sub
mitted their report to this House, generating
the said F. s. Richards, member Of this body,
from any completely whatever in said trsnsae-
ton, it is therefore declared as the OF this
House that said II. 5. Richards member as
aforesaid, and Speaker Of the House Of Repre-
sentatives, is not, either directly or remotely,
guilty Of any of the charges or implications
made against him by the testimony of George
K. Rutter before the special committee ap-
pointed under House resolution No. - to inves-
tlgate the matter pertaining to the school fund;
and that said F.. s. Richards, member from the
County of Shelby, and Speaker of this House, is
hereby requested to resume the chair as presid-
ing officer of this body.