The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-03-10
THE pERATE IN THE HOUSE
YESTERDAY.
IN INTEST1GATI0N ORDERED.
BOTH SIDES TO BE HEARD.

TurEyAS, Of Bedford, introduced the fol-
lowing resolution. upon which he asked
the immediate Judgment of the House..
:. Resolred. That the Committee on Roads
and Internal Navigation be instructed 10
investigate aud ascertain who are Inc real
parties proposing to purchase the S'ate
interest in the Richmond and Petersburg
railroad by whom the money Tor said pur-
chase i 10 be furnished; who Is TO hold the
stock when so purchased, and by what cor
poration or company said company Is 10 De
operated when said purchase shall nave
been made: the true object and Intention oil
said proposed purchasers, and make report
thereof TO this House and for this purpose
said committee shall have power to send for
persons and papers and to examine wit
neSseS." -
The Resolution opposed.
Mr.. LovENsTEIN, of Richmond, said he
did not claim TO speak the sentiments OF
the gentlemen who had made the PROPOSE
ton at which this resolution was evidently
aimed, but so far as lie was individually
concerned he was decidedly opposed teany
such farcical investigation. He thought
the character of the gentlemen who were
competing with Gen. Malone for the pos
session of the States interest in the Rich
mond and Petersburg railroad was entirely
too well known TO make such an inyestiga-
ton necessary. Their
STANDING IN THE COMMUNITY
was sufficient guarantee of the purity OF
their intentions. Besides, he was tired OF
these futile investigating committees. If
any investigation was made, he thought the
proper committee to make it was the one
slresdy appointed to inquire into General
Mahone'S affairs.
Remarks of Mr.. Thomas.
Mr.. THOMAS, Of Henry, expressed him.
self in favor of investigating committees
whenever there was anything to be brought
to light that the House really needed or de-
sired, but when Il proposition is made to
empower committee to ask where Frank
lin Stearns and the gentlemen associated
with him in business Transactions get the
money to carry out their enterprises, he
thought it
GOING LITTLE TOO FAR.
The gentleman from Bedford MR. Thur
mani might us we'll ask for an inyeStig ating
committee to determine where / get the
money to pay my hotel bills, or how the
gentleman from Richmond MIR. Lovcnsteinl
manages to buy his groceries. These gen.
1lemcn are persons Of character and means
seeking an investment. What right have
we to make any inquiry us to how they
came by the money they arc to invest,
and what they propose to do with their
property: l wonder it is not asked whether
they came honestly by the bonds they have
deposited with the State Treasurer. | shall
unhcsitatingly vote against such al inycsti-
CATION.
Mr.. PoPuAM asked whether the resolu-
lion was sufficiently comprehensive to
examine any witness that Il member of the
committee might think would be able to
throw light on the subject in any Of its
branches? If there was an investigation,
he desired that it should be asccrtained
whether the money to be paid by the At
lantic, Mississippi and Ohio railroad comes
from one source or another.
WHETHER ANY OF 1T COMES FROM THE PRESI-
DENT OF THE SEABoARD AND ROANOKE RAIL
ROAD,
or whether there is any alliance between
that road and the Atlantic, Mississippi and
Ohio railroad, expressed or implied, i'll re-
lation to the Richmond and Petersburg
railroad. Will the resolution Of the gentle
man from Bedford (Mr. thurman cover
these and similar questions that naturally
arise in regard to Gen. Mahone's plans?
Mr.. THURMAN 1t provides for an inves-
tigation us TO the purchase OF this stock by
anybody. / think it is sufficiently compre-
hcnsiyc.
Mr.. PoPHAM: 1t don't read so. l ask
that it may be amended so rs TO make both
matters inquirablc.
Mr.. THURMAN: There is no doubt about
ts doing that.
Mr.. PorHAM I understand the gentle
man to say, then, that he CONSTITUTES it in that
way, and will use his influence and efforts
to have a fair and full investigation.
Mr.. GUY said he was glad to find the gen.
tIrman from Bedford (Mr. Thurman) SO
frank, and after his assurances he would be
inclined TO vote for the resolution Us it
stood but in view Of the fact that the gen
tlclnan from Halifax (Mr. Wood, who was
also an influential member OF that commit
tee, had declined to Fay whether he places
the same construction upon it, l must pro-
pose an amendment. :
Mr.. WOOD: | have not read or seen the
resolution. 1 told you l would make no
bargain, and won't.
MIR. GUY: And l did not ask the gentle
man 10 make any bargain, but expressly
told him that ] did not. ! only asked his
view OF the bearing OF the resolution.
Mr. WooD: And / declined TO give my
view. s...
Mr.. GUY: Very well, sir. I then propose
the following amendment, to come in ut the
end of Mr.. Thurman's resolution:
and it is understood that tho inyestiga-
ton herein provided for may be had in re-
gard to the proposed purchase by the At
lantc, Mississippi and Ohio railroad, rs well
az to that by Joseph Il. Anderson and 9TH
ers, and to any proposition now made, or
that may be made"
Mr.. THURMAN again spoke, giving his
version of the proceedings in committee,
and laying upon his Opponents the offence
OF making an investigation necessary, He
said it ali resulted from the witnesses de-
clin!ng TO be sworn.
SAUCE FOR THE GASDER.
Mr.. LovEssTEIN inquired whether, when
gentlemen came before the Committee on
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