The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-05-09
THE RAILROAD INVESTIGATION
Remarks of GOV. smith.


We find in the Burlington Frco Press the
following remarks of Governor Smith.
while he was under examination on mat
tcrs relating TO the Montreal and Vermont
Junction railroad. 1t will be remembered
Mr.. Davenport objected to Mr.. Smiths ma
king any but categorical answer to his
questions. Gov. Smith claimed the right
to explain points needing explanation, and
in indignant protest against the course
taken by the counsel for the State, he
said:
| thank the committee kindly am
willing as citizen of the State of Yer
mont, to stand and be charged directly and
be proceeded with, if the committee please.
on the theory that | am scoundrcl |
know of no law that compcls me to stand
here and be denounced as convict, till
there is proof that am such. The Legis-
laturc of Vermont has authorized YOU TO
investigate charges against its citizens and
its institutions. | came here, if the COM
mittce please, in good faith, to answer to
every charge TO conceal nothing. and to
accept the report Of the committee. asking
nothing, desiring nothing, seeking no con
cealment and no vindication. except as
shall be justified by the testimony. | have
been treated, since / entered this room, as
if were u condemned criminal by that
gentleman [pointing to Mr.. Davenport |
His whole theory, thus far, and his inquiries
OF me, have proceeded on the ground that
| was base and corrupt scoundrcl ! do
not propose, if the committee please to
submit to it any longer. am ready and
willing to submit myself to the fullest and
most complete cross-eXaminaiion. | desire
to screen myself under no circumstances,
neither behind legal technicalitics nor even
the prophecies or sacredness of my private
right. ! am willing to answer as to every
thing checrfully, frankly and openly.
suppose that it was the province of this
committee to ascertain if possible from the
testimony, what the truth was not TO
whitewash any gentleman, or any official
of this State, or any member of the Legs-
latuic. But | suppose it was their high
privilege, if the charges, which have been
rung through the Boston 1raceller and by
malicious persons here against any official
or any citizen, could be proved untrue, to
seek to do it. | claim my right, as Il citi-
zen of the State of Vermont, to be accept
ed as innocent till | am proved guilty.
never knew even a murderer to be denied
that right. | have not received it here
The effort has been made to educate the
public to the theory on which this gentle
man, with his men behind him to put him
up to his malicious assaults, proceeds-the
theory that | am here as corrupt scoun-
drel convict. AS / have said / do not
propose to stand it, and | wont. | bow
most cheerfully to any rule the committee
desires to impose | will answer to the
fullest extent, and give you all the infor-
nation possess of every transaction. But
when | am held to n categorical answer to
questions whether have frauducntly used
the funds of this company, when | have
stated that have not, and when the coun-
sci would deny me the right to give my
answer in such form that the committee
may understand my position, don't think,
if the committee please, that it is proper
way to treat me, or to treat the accounts.
| Applause.