Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-05-15
Governor Smlit at the Legislative
Railroad InVesti alton.

Mr. Davenport, Of counsel for the
state, strenuously objected to Governor
Smiths making any but categorical
answer to his questions, while the Gov
ernor was being examined concerning
the affairs Of Montreal and NerAont
Junction railroad Governor Smith
claimed the right to explain points need
inc explanation, and in indignant pro
test against the course taken Ivy the
counsel for the State, he said
thank the committee kindly; | an
willing. as IA citizen of the State Of Yer
mon. to stand and be charged llrec' Iy,
and he proceeded with, if the committee
pIe3se. on the theory that | am scoun-
drel. know of no law that compelS
me to stand here and be denounced as a
convict. till there is proof that | am
sncb The Legislature of Vermont has
authorized YOU to investigate charges
AGAINST it's citizens and It's Institutions.
7 came here, if the committee please, IN
rood faith, to answer to every charge;
10 conceal nothing, and to accept the
report of the committee, asking nothing,
desiring nothing, seeking no conceal
mpHJ ana NO NlItlCGtlOlIs JNNN ~ g. = '-''A
he justified by the testimony. | have
been treated, since | entered this room
az if I were a condemned criminal, by
that gentleman pointing to Mr.. DaVen-,
mort His whole theory, thus far and
his INQUIRIES of me, have proceeded on
| the ground that | was a corrupt and
base scoundrel. | do not propose, if the
/ committee please, to submit to 1t any
LONGER. lam ready and willing to sub
| nit myself to the fullest and most com
nlete cross-examination. | desire to
! screen myself under no circumstances,
ne;tLer behind legal technicalities nor
even the prophecies or sacredness OF my
private right. | am wiling To answer
as to everything cheerfully, frankly ano
openly. ... -
+bie committee to ascertain, if possible,
from the testimony, what the proof was
not TO whitewash any gentleman, ol
any official of this State, or any mem
her of the Legislature But | supposed
Il was their high privilege, if the char
ges. which have been rung through th'
BOSTON Tg1geZIer and by malicious per
cons here AGAINST any official, or an,
citizen. could be proved untrue, to seei
| TO 90 lb. Cl6tAlli iSAAs
of the State of Vermont, to be accept
ed as innocent till | am proved guilty
| never knew even murderer to be de
MED that right. | have not received !
here. The effort has been made to ed
ucate the public to the theory on whicl
this gentleman, with his men benin
him to put him up to his malicious as
saults. proceeds-the theory that al
here as a corrupt scoundrel, a convict
AS I have said do not propose to stan
it. and won't | bow most cheerful
to any rule the committee desire to IN
pose. l will answer to the fullest e1
tent, and give you all the information
possess of every transaction. But whei
t am held to a categorical answer I
questions whether | have fraudulent
nsed the funds of this company, when
have stated that have not, and whe
the counsel would deny me the right
: olive nv answer in such form that IL
Committee may understand my posltiol
+ I don't think, if the committee pleas
tbat II Is a proper way to treat me, or
treat m the accounts. Applause.