The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1869-12-08
stop Where You Are /,

developed another idea Of course it j
about committee-equally of course it i
committee to smell out Republican frauds
Mr.. Durham dreams ofnothing else, although
Mr.. Malone says the "Dem6crats" hav
Democratic swindlers in view as much a
Republicans This new committee is to b,
composed of three individuals, headed b,
the redoubtable Durham, who are to 81 Il
New York to find out what fraudulent trans
actions North Carolinians may have been
engaged in! To attain this end the com
mittee are to examine the books of the lead
ing bankers and brokers, and are to demand
their testimony! Truly the business know
ledge of this Democratic Solomon is as to
tally without precedent as is the Legislation
which he SO seriously proposes to the Gen
eral Assembly of North Carolina
Such committee would be treated as
pack of fools, and would bring upon them
selves, and the Legislature and State who
sent them, the ridicule of the whole country
The bankers and brokers, too, whose books
are to be SO unceremon iously examined
would have few words to say in the mat.
ter, and we candidly tell Mr.. Durham that
that their most probable answer to any
such demand would be one which would
give him fine opportunity of determining
the feelings of person who gets kicked out
of doors.
We tell the Republican members of the
Legislature that their complaisance has at
tanned such an extent as to bring them into
reproach. Do they not see that they are
suffering their INSCRIPTIONS enemies to bring
them into contempt? Do they not see that
they are allowing the Democrats" to arouse
every manner of suspicion against the Re
publicans, and against every Republican
official? Do they not see that they are
seconding the Democrats" in their every
plan? Do they not see that they are allow
ing themselves to be branded as swindlers
without offering word in their defence
If they do not, then they are blind to that
which is seen by every citizen of the State.
We have no hesitation in saying that it
was wrong to allow the committee of the
whole business to ever be started.
Upon what grounds was that committee
based, was there any proof that any fraud
had been committed?
No.
Was there single specific charge made
against any man or any body of men
No.
Why then did the Legislature consent to
waste its time and the peoples money in
pursuing an investigation into nothing?
We tell the Republican members of the
Legislature that the resolutions offered by
Messrs. Durham, Jarvis, Malone G. Co., were
so many direct insults to them, and instead
of an easy acquiescence, should have brought
upon these men the censure they so
richly deserved.
There was an investigating committee last
session which continued nearly to the end of
the session. 1t made s,oorn report in which
it declared that, with the exception of one
Democrat no person had committed any
fraud. And now, Messrs. Durham, JAR
Wis and Malone have the effrontery to ask an
other one, similar committee.
Why?
Not because they have any proof of the
committal of any wrongful deeds
Not because they have reason to believe
that such have been committed
For they cannot even make charge of
fraud upon anybody or anything
But because they wish to make political
capital, ruin the credit of the State and
lnjure the Republican party.
Virtually, they say to the Republican
members of the General Assembly, 1--WE do
not knop ofanything wrong-we cannot point
to anything that is wroDg-but you Republi-
cans are such set of rascals that we demand
that you turn out your pockets that we, the
incorruptible Democrats" may sea that you
havn't stolen anything"
And the Republicans are fools enough to
meekly follow the orders of these Democrats
and, stand like whipped school boys before
their master.
Shame on such servility-shame on such
a policy.
Republicans, if you must yield to the
democratic" howl for committee, at least
let that committee have some certain purpose.
Mr.. Malone says he expects to catch DEM
ocrats. Then he must have some certain
Democrat in view. Let him make his charge
and then, let that Democrat be tried. Or, if
he can make direct cha rye against any
try the Republican, but for the
sake of your honor, for the sake of your
for the sake of your good name,
allow no more committees to be formed sim
ply because the Democrats desire to drive
you into doing so.
No matter whether there can be no fraud
discovered, the Democrats" will have
their purpose if this committee
business is allowed to proceed. During all
The time it will consume in its pretended
the public mind will be in a
state of suspense. Nothing definite being
known, or alleged, the minds of thej people
will become accustomed to view the Repub-
leans as guilty of the greatest crimes. Hav-
ng nothing to rest upon, the suspicious of
The people will take the widest latitude
md no guilt, no crime, will be too great for
hem to believe to have been committed.
Thus the Democrats" will attain their pur-
bose, for they will have poisoned the minds
VI the people against every Republican.
The policy of trusting in your innocence
md allowing the Democrats" to go ahead is
fatal error, for, be you now as stainless as the
lriven :now, the suspicious to which such
committee will give birth would blacken
ou forever in the minds of the many thou
ands who could never know the truth. Away |
With such policy When your accusers
make definite charge, let its truth be in
estigated. Until then, refuse to att upon
he orders of those who are your enemies
10 this and you act wisely and well. Do
therwise and you sin against yourselves
nd your party.
Taxes.
We see that many private bills in relation
taxes are already being introduced into
he Legislature Some are to enable sheriffs