, 1877-02-11

should be any curt2ilment OF debate on the sub
| ject; on the contrary, lie wished to elicit the
ton for them to consider whether they would
| identify themselves with the ncfarious arts vi
tie County Commissioners and admit, IN
| ameasure, responsibility therefor, or by adopt.
| ing the resolution disclaim I'LL connection OF
sympathy With the corrupt Board.
MIR. SHEPPARD,
wanted any expression Oh this matter to he
given with I formality that would command
respect in Ill quarters. He, therefore, thought
the Executive Committee should pass upou the
resolution, hut saw 10 way OF getting back into
executive session ut that meeting.
Mr.. Hansborough was also anxious that tic
Executive Committee should hare the first
chance.
| Mr.. Burke moved to refer the resolution to
the Committee.
Mike Bailey moved to lay on the table. Gar
ried.
on motion Of Mr.: Sullivan the resolution was
amended so Us to read as If a Democrat meet
ing had passcdit.
Of the passage. II he understood the temper Of
tile meeting there was a difference Of opinion as
to the justice Of the resolution. In presenting
it he was ouly giving utterancc to the views OF
gentlemen surrounding him. It was absolutely
necessary 1t they wanted to control the political
procliyities OF the city and county for them to
cut away from the Board. tApplausc.]
Mr.. Hansborough had IN idea that, before
passing condemnatory resolutions, the charges
aealrst tho Board should 1e investigated. The
press was always crying fraud " in connection
with the County Board. Would tue gentleman
who moved the passage Of the resolution, who
was at one time county contractor, inform tue
meeting whether THERE was any truth in the
charges OF couuslon between the Commissions
ers and contractors.
Mike Bailey replied that he had no connection
with the present Board. It was three years ago
that he was county contractor.
COL. sSoWuooK
asked it there was any proof Of the nefarious
acts charged against the Commissioners except
what was derlyed d., from tue papers. He lad
not belicve III that it set FORTH They should
not go it blind on th1s matter simply because
the Commissioners were called thieves and
scoundrcls.. II trust was placed In the news
papers ny their readers, they might believe TINT
every ottice,9o:dcr was nefarlous rababond.
No one could say positively that any single
member OF the Board had robbed the people.
There was also lack Of Information in regard
to the bill mentioned In the resolution, and it
was unwlse to 1ndorse anything until they were
Mr; Brown knew nothing about the County
Board. The TRIBUNE had made certain charges
against them, and that vas prllna fAdc evidence
Of their truth. Denu1fciation, however, would
come from them with peter grace after COM
tnittec had investigated the charges and found
them correct. The men should be given IN op-
portunity to defend themselves before being
classcd among thieves and scoundrcls.
Mr. Hooten was also opposed to banging men
first and trying them afterwards.
Mr.. Burke remarked that some OF the COM
missioncrs were now under Indictment.
Afr. Halsbor0ugh felt compelled to affirm that
indictment was not conviction.
Mr., Beckington was opposed to the passage Of
the resolutions prior to au Investigation. He
moved tu strike out that portion which "slan-
dcred u the Board.
AH. JOHN M'SA11Y
thought the introduction of the resolution was
ouc step toward the breaking IN Of the orrani.
zatiou Of the farty. By adopting It thew would
sow tho seeds of fiscord In their ranks and snoT
their chances Of success this spriue. In his
opinion there was conspiracy already in cxist-
eucc to overthrow the city Democracy. Every
one who hal read THE TRIBUNE Of the past few
days could understand that. The resolution
was out of nlace now: when the Court cony;ctcd
the Commissioners, then thcy could stpurgc their
bands' Of them.
Mr.. Thomas f. Courtney thought the only
fault in Senator Robinson's bill was that It
permitted the whole county to elect the Com
missioners. That provision would give the
You'd = ratller be 1 ruled ny honest Nepublicans
% had rntrhe1 the curse ~ Tho Gnnntv s.r no,rd ~"
during tie last two wears must be conyinccd OF
their rascality. In recent investigation fIIo-
4ff $$an h11