Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-07-08


When the war ended our people were
ruined in fortune and largely indebted
publicly and privately. The Convention
of 1865 repudiated the war debt, but left
the debt contracted before the war still in
existence. That debt, according to the
message of Gov. Holden in November
1869, was seventeen millions of dollars o
large, very large debt for the impoverished
condition of the country. It was asserted.
likewise, that the Constitution required
the old debt to be paid, and that refusal
or omission to DO so would bring upon our
heads the shame and disgrace of repudia-
ton. Yet, with these prominent and sug-
gestiVe facts before them, this debt was
increased a R8 tbs o near forty millions one 0
course the interest of this debt was to be
paid regularly and punctually; the ordi-
nary expenses of the Government were
likewise to be paid, so that the burden i'm
posed upon the people and to be raised by
taxes annual was enormous. These taxes,
too, was to be collected out of all, poor as
well as rich. The remorseless tax gatherer
knows no friend. To carry out these ap-|
propriations bonds were issued and placed
in the hands of various railroad Presidents
and agents and were thrown upon the
markets of the world. They were manipu-
lated by brokers, iobbers and spectators.
What sums were realized by these epecu-
lators is not, and 1 suppose, never will be
known. Il is certain that the State re-
ceived no benefit from them.
How these appropriations were passed
is settled conviction. That outside in
huences were brought to bear, that rings
within rings were formed, that money odd
bonds un,,o nooa, is not only believed but
established by evidence. But the people
became outraged, and the Legislature at
tempted to rctrace their steps. They
pealed the laws making these appropri&-
tons and required return of the bonds.
Some of the Presidents refused to return
them, insisting upon their legal rights.
Others had sold and hypothecatcd their
bonds for the loan of money, and others
were unacc0unted for, SO that only little
over four millions arc returned. Suits are
also brought upon some of these bonds re-
curing the Treasurer to pay the interest
Those suits are still pending. Under these
circumstances who can tell what the debt
of the State really is.
Is it wonder that the credit of the
State is gone, that her bonds are hawked
about and sold in the State of New York
at onc-fifth their value Who is to blame?
It is attempted to throw the odium of
these appropriations upon q minority Of
fifteen Democrats who were in the Legis-
iatule. But it was party measure upon
which the party in power staked their sue |
cess, and they must abide by the result
and not attempt to throw off the RESPONSE
bility by eliminating Others. Nor can
their leaders now escape retribution by at
tempting to repndiate all the acts OF the
party. It sounds too much like the peni-
tent lamentations of a convicted criminal
at the bar of justice. This matter might
be pursued further, but the history Of
these appropriations is so remarkable that
it forms an era in Legislative history. In
the annals of North Carolina we have
never before heard of such extravaganza,
such charges Of corruption, such wild
waste Of public money.
The intern al improvements of the State
arc retarded and put back for years, in all
probability, by this reckless conduct on
the part of our legislators. What becomes
OF that great Improvement in the West p
Where are the seven millions appropriated
to bnild that magnificent work +? One
President il the North, Baltimore perhaps,
the other fitting between Florida and
Washington and New York SO rapidly shat
you con scarcely point his place. These
men were placed in powor by tho present
administration. and the people of the
West must place the responsibility upon
the right shoulders.
But there ate other things to be con-
ordinary expenses, as they
are called. of this present administration.
It is startling In one year, according to
tho report of the Auditor, as compiled and
published in the Sentinel, the expenses of
the State government amounted to seven
hundred and ninety-two thousand dollars.
More than twice as much as Gov. Worth s
and many, many times
more than other administrations that ever
ruled in North Carolina. Under this sye-
tenn not only the State but the county
governments have cost twice as much as in
former years. The salaries and fees of Of
fcers are doubled; the costs of suits before
Justices of the Peace are moro than trebled,
and so with every thing.
It is impossible to go into detail in this
Address. I ask the people to look into
these matters, examine and see, then ask
themselves the question if there is not
personal liberty of the citizen is threaten
cd. A few months since the Chief Execu-
tive officer Of this State proclaimed coun-
ty i'll state of Instruction and asked
Congress to suspend the writ Of habeas
corpus and subject every man to the ar
bitrary rule of military power. More
recently he has avowed a purpose, and is in
fact carrying it into execution, preceded
by a manifesto breathing threats and ven
geance, of arming and equipping the mi
litia, and raising three regiments for i'm
mediate and active service. He has APP
pointed officers, and has even gone to n
State and selected a comman-
der of one of those regiments peculiarly
obnoxious to many of our people. Why
are all these wariike demonstrations ?I
Why this martial array Of troops Why
are we to have the music of the fife and
drum? The Governor is Commander in
Chief Of the militia, and may call them
out to execute the laws, to suppress insur-
rection and reOel Invasion No ono of |
these contingencies has arisen: There has
been no instruction. There has been no
resistance to the execution of the laws. |
Everywhere the people are quiet and
and pursuing their business
with energy and industry. In certain To-
calities crimes have been committed, the |
persons of individuals have been violated, |
but there is no reason given why such |
crimes and such offences cannot be pun
ished in the Courts of justice. The courts |
are open and undisturbed, and criminals |
are tried and convicted. No sane man can |