Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-03-04
RALEIGH, Feb. %, 1870.


Rep. G. Wn. Weltcr,
Senator from GuiLford:
DEAR SIR:-We notice in the Standard
OF this morning an article which says
''Messrs Nichols q German deny having
any connection with Mr. Welker, and fur
ther state that his assertion that thew had
been doing work twenty-five per cent
cheaper than done by the Public Printer
was untrue"
The entire paragraph is a barefaced, viii
tul, deliberately pcrpetrated falsehood
from beginning to end. The assertion it
made the day previous that you were
with" us IN business required no denial
The editor of the Standard did send q mes
senger to us CD Tuesday last, TO enquire OF
us the price we were charging the State
for printing, with view, SO the messenger
stated, OF assGiling you. We gave the
messenger verbal answer that we did
not think 1T was any of his (Pike's) bust
ness; that We did not intend to be n party
III asSalllng you, and that therefore, he
must obtain his Information elsewhere
We have never denied the statement you
made to the Senate, and IN fact, we do
not know what statement you did make,
as 1t was not stated in the proceedings OF
either paper. We are however, ready to
inform those having authority to require
the information, the terms agreed upon By
us and the committee, but object to par
ties obtaining the information from us 10
make an assault on other parties.
We care nothing ourselves for the Stan.
dard S misrepresentation, and address
you this note, simply to assure you Of the
falsity of the Standard assertion in order
that you may, if you think proper, expose
the contemplate meanness of the editor,
and the utter unreliability Of his printed
assertions.
Very respectfully yours, &c.
Nichols & GoRMAE.
p. S.-Snce writing this note, we have
received yours of this morning.; making
inquiry as to the correctness OF your state
ment made to the Senate. In answer, We
say, you were correct.
Yours, NC.
NICHOLS & GoEMAN.
By Mr.. Welker: Resolution to appoint .
Committee of Investigation, to wit:
ReSOLOed, That the President of tic
Senate appointa Committee Of three Sena-
tors with full power to inquire into and re-
port whether any money, bonds, or other
things of value was paid, or other unlaw-
fui means used, to procure the passage,
enrolment, or engrossing Of the bill to bc
entitled an act amendatOry OF the act to
incorporate the Western North Carolina
Railroad Company, ratified the 18th OF
February, 1855, and Of all acts amendatory
thereof; ratified the 18th day of April,
1869; and If SO, by whom tho same paid
or unlawful act committed, and who re
celved the same.
ResoJoed J,u1zer, That tho committee
shall have power to send for persons and
papers and examine witnesses on oath, and
if need be to take testimony by commits
sion.
Mr.. Hayes moved to amend the resolu-
ton by striking out ''Senate Committee or
three and inserting''the committee of in
vestigation composed Of Messrs. Phillips,
Bragg and Scott"
Messrs. Welker, Love and Robbins spoke
in opposition to this amendment, and
urged the adoption of the resolution i'm
mediately, and in its original form.
Mr.. Davis urged the adoption Of the
amendment. He was opposed 10 smelling
committees any how, aud could not sec
any necessity for increasing them. He
thought if anything would be accomplish
ed by them at all the committee already
appointed was fully competent TO make the
investigation, and il the Senator from
Guilford had anything to communicate he
could go before that committee.
Mr.. WeIker said he never should have
made q move in this direction unless he
had the necessary information 0f sub
stantial character to justify it, and as he
had done so he hoped the Senate would
allow him the mode nc had suggested IT,
carry ont his object.
The amendment was voted down Those
voting in the affirmative are
Messrs. Brogden, ColgroVe. Cook, Da
Wis, Hayes, Harrington, Jones of Colum-
bus, Legg and Respass-9.
The resolution was adopted, and the
chair designated Messrs. Welker, Love and
Winstead as the committee.
By Mr.. Robbins: Resolution asking the
Governor for information concerning the
investment of the literary fund in special
tax bonds, to wit:
Whereas, A recent report of the Public
Treasurer mentions tho fact that large
part of the literary fund las been invested
In special tax bonds Of North Carolina,
therefore,
Resolved by the Senate, That the Gov
ernor as eD oticto President of the Board
of Education is hereby respectfully re-
quested to furnish this body at the earli
est possible moment with information upon
the following points, to wit:
Let. What amount of the literary fund
has been invested in special tax bonds.
I'd. Under what authority and by whose
order was said investmentsmade.
Sd. In which particular class or kind Of
said onds was said Investment made.
4th. From what person or persons were
said bonds purchased.
9Th. What was the date CT the purchase
or purchases.
9th. at what price were said bonds pur-
chased.
7th. Have said bonds been paid for.
Sth. What moneys were used in making
said purchase of bonds.
9th. What were the entire terms, cir
cumstances and objects of this transaction
of investing the literary fund in said spc-
cial tax bonds.
Resolved further, That the Secretary Of
the Senate transmit q certified copy OF
these resolutions to the Governor immedi-
ately upon their passage.
Mr.. Sweet said he did not see the neces-
sity or propriety of passing the resolution,
inasmuch as the information sought to be
he thought was embodied in the
annual report of the Treasurer. He sup
noaa1 tho nurposa of the resolution was