Wilmington journal., 1872-01-12
0Ailmlngton Journal.
WILMINGTON, n G.:
FRIDAY. JANUARY II, 1872.
CORREsPONDENCE

EDiI(DHI1L Coh II IItCI '~'11 49,
RALEIGH, Jan. ,, 1871.
DEAR JOTT,H AL 1t is almost too soon
after the recess to expect anything stirring
in the proceedings OF the Legislature. Doth
houses are hard at work. | am more ana
more impressed, at each succeeding NlSlt'
with the ability and industry OF themem-
bers. do not believe, and my experience
is considerable, ever to have seen Legs
Iatrre work more industriously. Moat OF
the members are young men, but fuh OF
energy and devoted to the true welfare ol
North Carolina. Some Of them have made
much reputation, and will make theirmark
upon the political records Of the State
At this time, except the debate III the
House to-day upon the proposed conStltU-
tionaI amendments, there IS nothing OF
general interest now transpiring, ana that
bill was postponed until next week The
Revenue bill will soon be up i'll the Senate,
and will be passed, as it comes from the
House, without important amendment.
The special committee is maturing bills
for the re-districting Of the State. The pai-
tisan work of the Radicals in ge1rymandel-
ING the Senatorial districts will be undone,
and some of the larger Radical counties,
which have more than their due proportion
Of members, will be shorn of their borrowed
strength, and the members given to cOun-
ties entitled to them. If Congress shall
pass the Congressional AppOrtiOnment Bill
before the adjournment Of the Legislature,
the Congressional Districts will be rear
ranged, as in that event North Carolina
will be entitled to eight.
The question Of Public Printing has oc-
cupied too much Of the attention of the
Legislature, and is not yet disposed of /
think the members composing the majority
have shown possibly, less spirit and more
timidity in regard to this matter than be
comes them. The people who elected them
expected and desired that the Public Printer
should be selected from among those who
labored for the success Of their party. They
only ask that such prices shall c paid as
will be just and reasonable for the State
and the Printer. The hue and cry raised
by the opposition is ridiculous andcaNor
TO assume the mask of honesty.
1t is indeed amusing to hear men WHO
voted to sustain the Railroad and PCnitCn-
tiary rings of 1868 and 90, and who voted,
.lay after day, to beggar North Carolina for
The benefit of rs miserable a set of thieves
and vagabonds as ever disgraccd State,
talk about virtue and honesty as placidly
and fervently as a Sunday-schOol teacher.
Would you believe it, Dear JOU RN-AI., that
BrOgden actually became indignant over
the expenses Of the Public Printing, and
pretended that he had always voted to UP
hold investigating committees, especially
the Bragg Phillips Committee.
His protestations were 50 telNcnt, and he
wore, withal, such a sanctimOniOus air, that
l was almost tempted to doubt my oWr
recollection of that tiCld-day OF rascality IL
the Senate chamber, when Senators stag
gered into the hall, reelling i'll the fumes O
Littlefeld's liquors, and almost succeeded
in abolishing that Committee, while thei
patron saint was dodging tl.e officer who
was to take him before the Committee, un
til my memory was refreshed by the incre
dulity visible upon the countenancC OF tht
Senators from Orange and Rowan, whose
timely exposures defeated the disreputabl'
proceedings.
then remembered how family the viz
tuOus Senator had voted ''aye" upon The
motion to abolish the Committee, and how
boldly and proudly his compatriot, JehI
Davis, had embraced the dishOnor. ! rec
objected examining the record the mex
morning in the columns of the Tdltddrd
as preferred to give him the benefit of al
my doubts, to see if his spasmodic effort
had left any favorable trace upon the rec
ord. There it stood, side by side. witt
Jehu Davis, in everlasting infalny.
And now he says he always voted to sus
tain that Committee. Poor Jehu! In YOU
dishonored retirement, your friend, ''hav
ing the last swear," abandons you.
Could l be mistaken? Probably 81
family had the response been given that j
had faded from the official record, or pos
sibly it was b4It the eflervcsence of the cle
CANT wine with which Littleiield's tables
were loaded. hunted up the journals o
the Senate. But there it was, side by side
with Jehu Davis, linked in eternal infamy
Poor Jehu! Virtuous Curtis.
Really the righteous indignation OF th'
very loyal Senator from Wayne has led m'
away from speaking Of measures Of some
local interest to our people. My letter i
SOW too long TO embrace them TODAY.
will endeavOr to do so tomorrow.
Yours, in haste, to save mail,
L.