Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-02-18
Inx.atteatton I'm Earnest.

| investigation I'm Earnest.
We regard the passage of the bill to give
certain powers to the Senate Commission
of Investigation by the House on Satur-
day with only two dissenting voices,
French, of New Hanover, and Sweat, COL
ored, of Cumberland, as the best evidence
yet furnished by that body of real earnest
ness in its desires and efforts to ferret out
the corruptions of the RAILROAD Ring"
We can say in passing, however, that
French seems to be the special champion
of the spectators and thieves who are
running the credit of North Carolina. He
has, in and out Of season, with reason and
without reason, offered every objection
which unblushing audacity, restricted
only by feeble comprehension, has sug-
gested to Illustrate honest efforts looking
to speedy and full exposition of the
frauds by which our credit has been de-
stroyed and our unfinished railroads
doomed to remain in their present condl-
ton. If he has given one vote for any
feasible plan to expose those villains it Las
escaped our notice, or we would now give
him the benefit of it's republication.
The Senate Commission, composed Of
Ex-Governor BRAGG, Hon. S. +. PHILLIPS
and Colonel W. L. SCOTT, is by far the
most practical plan for bringing to light
the rascalities of Littlofeld & Co. It is a
good Commission, for honest and able
men compose it. Governor BRAGG is a
decided Democrat, Colonel SCOTT is a de-
cided Republican, ono OF the eleventh
hour converts, however, and Mr.. Phillips
has no positive political record since the
war. He voted for General GRANT and
probably would be a Republican If the
North Carolina branch of the party was
not so corrupt as to drive honest men from
its ranks All OF these gentlemen are men
Of ability, and will not let personal or
political considerations interfere with
faithful and conscientious discharge of
their duties. We look forward TO their
Investigations and report with much in
torest as likely to disclose the crimes and
tho criminals which have ruined the
State.
Littlcfcld's paper, the Raleigh Standard,
dounces the passage of the bill as
Democratic triumph forgetting in its
modification and fear to use the customary
quotation marks around the word Demo
cratic) and eolemnly calls the attention Of
/ the people thereto, and warns the Repub
| licans that they are being betrayed ln-
| deed, it does not content itself with one
leading article upon the subject, but makes
two other editorial references to it, one
containing a threat about day of reckon
ing. It cavils about the expense Of de-
tecting crimes, but does not cry out
against the criminals; it doubts the Re-
publicanism of Mr.. Phillips, but says
nothing as to his ability and honesty it
demagogues about Democratic triumphs
over Republican Legislature, but says
not word about the triumphs of fraud
and corruption at the expense of the well
fare of the State. The Standard prefers
to secure Littlefield in his ill-gotten wealth
than to protect North Carolina against the
further inroads of that bad man ana his
evil and guilty conductors.
We rejoice at the passage of the bill,
whatever may be the political conse-
quences attending it. We believe that
this commission will act promptly, vigor
ously and impnrtially. Governor BRAGG
has the confidence of every man in North
Carolina. We have no political PARTIAL
ty for Mr.. PHILLIPS and have contempt for
the political conduct of Colonel SCOTT. We
have long known both intimately and
favorably. We were the student of one
and the class-mate of the other. Our
wore! for it, they will investigate and re-
port upon the matter brought before them
with due regard to its Importance and
influenced only by truth and duty
Whether this Commission succeeds in the
Investigation or not we will be satisfied
that no effort viii have been spared to
arrive at the truth. Ii it fails, then corrup-
ton will have done it's work so well that
honesty and intelligence cannot bring it
t. light. for it is just impossible to sup
pose that North Carolina credit las been
brought to Its present condition by fair
dealing.
The bill, as finally passed, directs the
Governor to furnish the Commission q
room IN the Capitol; authorizes the en-
ployment Of clerk at twenty dollars a
week, and gives the Commission the pow.
ers belonging to a Superior Court in com
polling the attendance of witnesses and the
production of papers. and other powers
necessary for an efficient discharge of it,
duties. The Legislature has acted we'll il
the passage Of the bill.
Congress.
We find among tho most recent prooeed