Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-03-11
Investigations

We have never seen party IN such
straits as is the Radical party rs repre-
sented in the Legislature at Raleigh. Poll
cy demands that they shall appear to
favor an investigation, while safety to their
leaders requires that they should stave it
Off The Raleigh Standard, the organ OF
Littlefeld and SWepson, blows hot and
cold. One day it urges on investigation
and twits Democratic members upon delay.
The next day it demands the repeal Of
resolutions raising investigating commit
tees and the dissolution of the Committees
themselves as useless and expensive waste
of time and money.
During a short stay in Raleigh we were
struck with the twisting and turning of
this paper, seemingly having no other pur-
pose but to shield Littlefield and Swepson
from the exposures about to be made by
the Bragg Phillips Committee. In the
earlier part of the week, when the flight of
Swepson was regarded as an acknowledge
ment OF his guilt, and was hoped would
cover up the rascalities Of Littlefeld, the
Standard boosted as follows:
Democrats have made all sorts of vauge in
situations for the purpose of deceIving the peo-
pie, and have gotten up innumerable investi-
eating cOmmittees.' By so doing, however, they
have fallen into the pit which they themselves
have dug. They find that no Republican has
been guilty OF any transaction, and that no fraud
has been committed by Republicans. They tad
that al the frauds hct haUe been committed hare
been committed by Democrats.
"Ihey dare not go on with their Investigations.
They dare not present the truth to the people.
Before the Democratic papers tai much more
let them lind out who are the guilty parties. and
to which political party they belong. We call
upon the people to take notice that the Standard
is the only paper WHICH CALLS FOR THE coETINU-
ANCE AND SPEEDY REPORT OF THE VARIOUS INvEs-
TIGATING COMMITTEES. Let the result be noted"
On Saturday last, after the defeat on
Friday of the unblushing effort of Little
field by bribery, as charged by Republi-
can Senator, to effect the dissolution of the
Bragg Phillips Committee in time to save
him from an examination, the same paper
in leading editorial urging the Senate
to renew the attempt SO nearly successful,
says
''We have lopg urged the dismissal of this
committee. We now urge it even more earnest
ly, for our know edge of the plans of the Demo
Gratis" causes US to feel the danger of delay
Let the Senate again to the battle, and this time
achieve the victory so well nigh won yesterday.
We consider him tie best Republican, and the
truest to the people, who does most TO dismiss a
committee so warmly defended by the Demo-
Gratis anu their allies"
1t is as difficult to reconcile these con-
hicting positions as it is to remain honest
and defend criminals. The Standard is
the property of Littlefeld, and whatever
may be the opinion of its editor, the paper
must be edited in the interests of its guilty
proprietor and his confederares
None dare impugn the honesty of the
gentlemen comprising this Committee ); all
acknowledge their ability. It is these two
characteristics that the guilty wretches
fear. Their minions in the Legislature
are loud in their denunciations of the
President of the Senate for the appoint
ment of such gentlemen. They desired
the Committee to consist Of such tools of
Littlefeld as pledged themselves to him
under the influence Of money and liquor
to vote for the dismissal of the Commit
tee when its labors were about completed.
and while the examination of Littlefield
was going on. They desired such inves-
tigation as would white-wash the sins of
Littlefeld and Swepson and save the party.
They wanted partizan Senators to report
upon transactions in which they were
directly or indirectly implicated. They
wished men who had been favored with
gifts of money, and '' clothed and fed :" by
Littlefield to report upon the manner in
which he had spent the public money.
It matters not whether these investiga.
tons are completed. The people of North
Carolina know to whom they owe their
present sutferings. Public Judgment has
condemned the guilty parties, nor Courts,
nor Legislature, nor Committees can wipe
out the evidences Of taeir guilt nor save
them from the execr .tions Of the people,