Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-03-18


5O-2mch
luton under which the Committee was now
sitting.
The Chairman replied that it could not
| be found.
Harris then said he wished the people to
know that this Committee was acting with
out authority.
Mr.. Durham said that his question pro
pounded yesterday to the witness, as to
whether he knew anything of a note
payable to John Smith or Jame~ Smith,
purporting to be signed by him, (the Wit
ress) had been evaded. therefore he wished
q direct answer now.
| Mr.. D. then propounded the same ques-
| ton.
Mr.. Littlefeld returned the same an
| swer, and in doing so said he could make
| no other unless the question was put in a
| more definite shape.
Question by Mr.. Durham: Did you on
or about Dec. 1868 give your note to Jas.
Smith for So 900, payable one day after
date.
Mr. Sinclair objected to the question, un-
less the note was produced; he denied the
existence of the note.
After some debate the question was al
lowed.
Answer. J. do not recollect.
A communication was received from the
special committee refusing to recognize
the right of the House to ask for papers,
as they contended they were acting under
the authority of the Senate solely.
This created long debate.
Question by Mr.. Sinclair. Is or is not
your predecessor the late PRESIDENT OF the
Western Division of the Western n. @. r.
R., short in bonds or money, if so, state
how much ?
Mr.. Durham contended that the House
had postponed the investigation of these
railroad matters for the purpose of inves-
| tigating bribery and corruptions among
members
| Mr.. Sinclair contended that he had q
right to ask the question.
Mr. Malone thought business would be
| expedited if one thing at time was taken
up. He moved that the investigation of
railroad matters be postponed and the ex-
animation be confined to matters pertain
ing to bribery and corruption among mem
bers.
Mr.. Sinclair opposed such postpone.
ment.
Mr. Downing said he understood that
| it was the wish of the witness that mat
ters appertaining to railroads and bonds
! should be postponed until the 10th inst.
| The witness being called on, stated that
his railroad matters were demanding his
! immediate attention !; therefore, in order
to save time, he wished this committee tC
rise and have subcommittee appointed
consisting of no matter who, to inves
| tigate all these matters he would stay
| with such committee day and night an6
give them all the testimony he could, &c
Mr.. Ingram favored the motion of Mr..
Malone to postpone. He thought Gen
Iittlefeld should, as a witness, give to the
| House direct answer in regard to thii
John or James Smith note, &C., &c.
Harris, of Wake, colored, opposed thu
motion to postpone the investigation o
railroad matters.
i Mr.. Malone's motion to postpone wa
adopted.
MIR. Moore, of Chowan, offered resolu
ton that the Committee of Manager
! Seymour, Welch, Sinclair, Gatling ant
Candler) be authorized to conduct the ex
animation of all witnesses, go.
The resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Seymour, Chairman OF the Com
rnittee of Managers, submitted the follow
ing questions
Were you sued in Wake county Superio
Court at Fall Term of 1869 for debt o
$1,000?
Answer-When 1 returned to this cit
last Fall was informed by my Attorne
that there were some suits against me.
believe one was for that amount, but
| S~A
process or not.
Question-Have you ever given or OF
fered any member of this General Assem-
bly, any money or other valuable consider
alton with the purpose of influencing III
vote as q member
The witness, in substance, answered, ="
have never"
Question-Have you ever employed an
person to influence, by any pecuniary o
other valuable consideration, the vote Q
any member of this General Assembly?
Answer have not.
Question-Do you, of your own know
edge, know of any person giving to or oi
fering to any member of the General AS
sembly money or other valuable considers
tion for his vote?
Answer-Of my own knowledge, d
not.
II Question-Have you personally or b
any agent, loaned any money to, or pun
I chased any property of any member OF tn
General Assembly, for the purpose of il
f1uencing his vote as member?
Answer have loaned members none
, frequently here and elsewhere, where
!, met.them; have purchased property Q
some but never for the purpose OF inhu
encing his vote as a member.
II Question by Mr.. Durham-To Wha
member or members of this General AZ
sembly have you loaned money and wha
amount?
i The Witness here protested agains
questions referring to his private business
and asked Il decision of tho Chair as to 1t
admissibility.
The Chair ruled that the question wa