Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-05-20

hereby pc dgod to avoid ana remedy the same
bv such practical and suitable measures Il t,Is-
tstiJn o. shall promote aud accomplish the var
li3us objects OF internal improvements III the
State, and place the finances upon sound anu
economical basic.
! This surely is the coolest and most
brazen attempt we ever saw 20 dodge the
responsibility of ones own acts Among
the leading men who composed this Con
vcntion were members of he Legislature,
embracing the President Of the Senate and
two Speakers Of the House, In fact the
Convention was controlled by ex members
of the very Legislature denounced by this
resolution.
While the various bills were pend
ing, appropriating the extraordinary
sum OF tweuty-six millions Of dollars
for Railroad purposes, the loading men
and papers opposed to Radicalism in
North Carolina were open and car
nest in their opposition. They were
twitted by the "party Of progress as
being cold fogy." Radical orators, es-
pecially the political and social vagabonds
and strangers who expected contracts and
offices, were eloquent in depicting the
future wealth and grandeur of the State
from these very approximations. Demo
Gratis and Conservatives were denounced
for opposing them as injnring the credit Of
the State. Up to the very day OF the as
sembling of the Radical Convention there
we're no "errors in recent legislation re-
lating to internal improvements and the
State finances" but it was the disloyal'
press and politicians, through hatred OF
the Union and its friends, born Of the
" rebellion" which had retarded the
progress of internal improvements and
ruined the finances of the State. Until
the adoption of this resolution the appro-
priations were all proper, the Treasurer
and his coadjutors in the Legislature were
skilIful and honest fnanciers, and Sweep
son, Littlefield. Jones and Sloan were
scrupulously honest, undoubtedly efficient,
thoroughly active and tenderly careful IN
the millions Of money and IN
managing the great interests which they
had in charge. There were no frauds, nc
irregularities, no want of ability, no lack
Of energy in the manipulation of the bonds
or the progress of the roads. All was mis-
representation, political prejudice, old
fogyism and Ku-Klux.
Now that the evil is accomplished and
5he naked fact stands out before the people !
Of the State that the money has been APP
oropriatod and spent, and the taxes levied, /
md by some hook or crook the roads have
not been built or advanced, and the credit
# the State gone, these very men who are
entirely responsible for it all, modestly |!
'esolvo that they are partly to blame, but
he the evils shall be rectiied. What stuff. |
What miserable pretensions. How humble !!
how bold the promise. What
N estimate must these men place upon |
he intelligence OF the people to suppose
hey can be deceived by such false and
shallow resolutions.
It is impossible for the Radical party to
lodge lis responsibility in bringing North /
CAROLINA to her present unenviable fDan-
,ial position, and the attempt TO saddle il
portion Of the blame upon the small band |
If Democratic and Conservative members
S supremacy ridiculous. With two thirds
decided upon in the caucus, and under
he gag of the previous question" mem
oers were not even permitted 20 place
heir objections upon record. Frauds and
were openly charged but in
was either directly prohibited
II SO clogged as to be useless. Criminals
invaded the halls Of legislation and tam
oered with members and pledged them, in
drunken revelries, to rescind resolutions
ooking to investigation.
Never IN the history of iegisla ion was
money SO profigately appropriated. so
expended and SO criminally
quandered. There were fewer rcstric-
ions and safe guards thrown around Off
eials and never wcra these precautions
noIe necessary, both from the extravagant
endencies Of the age and tie doubtful
characters Of the officials. Protests were
opposition uselesa. The pow
'rty Of the people and the sacred demands
# the existing debt We're disregarded and
cotted at. Some, doubtless, from honest
)ut mistaken motives, others with an utter
disregard Of consequences, but generally
With a mischievous aud criminal intont,
he Radicals Of the Legislature, backed
" the active co operation of the Executive
department., plunged North Carolina into
u abyss, to release her from which will
cquire years CT honest toll and wise
The people know and feel
hese things, aud are suffering the conso-
luence0. They will have a care IS to
Who shall re. resent them il the future.
The 4" errors Of Radical legislation are
,harGeablo to the party-its repetition will
,e the fault of the people.
Immigration and Taxation
Our citizens are forming all sorts OF
chemcS to induce immigrants to settle