Mexico weekly ledger., 1879-03-20

Auditors report, showing the con-
tingent expenses Of the executive de-
partment and agreed that instead of
receiving only $4,000 a year, the
Governor gets $40, 200. The amend
ments would save the state 8 1000
annually. 1t was folly to say that
men of sufficient callibre to admins
ter the offices regulated by the bill
could not be secured for the salaries
proposed. When in the history of
the state had the position of COVER
nor gone a begging, and when would
such q contingency be presented?
Further consideration of the bill was
postponed until the 31st inst.
HOUSE.
March lathe bill authorizing
the Attorney General to institute suit
for the recovery Of the money lost
through State Treasurer was passed
by a vote Of vote Ill to
March 14.-Mr. Gwynne called
up the special order viz. the appoint
ment Of a committee to draw up
articles of impeachment against the
State Treasurer.
Mr.. Wiley spoke in reply to Mr..
Gwynne, who made a lengthy speech
in opposition to the measure. He
said We are o considering q ques-
ton of vital importance to the state.
Our hearts may go out in sympathy
to the man whom we are trying, but
there is a higher obligation which We
owe than that of sympathy. We
are obliged by our oaths to sustain
the constitution.
Mr.. Mcintyre said if he knew him
self he approached this discussion
with u proper sense Of duty. He
would gladly forego taking part in it
1t was often easier to avoid duty than
meet it. but he realized there was the
duty of a Representative upon him
and did not seek TO except it. The
question of mere sympathy was not
to be considered for a moment, this
matter must be decided from q higher
standpoint. A committee had been
appointed to investigate this matter,
which from its report appears TO have
done its work thoroughly. II was
now the duty of the members of this
House to act as juIos and pass upon
the evidence that had been laid before
then. No gentleman las o right to
vote for impeachment unless he is
satisfied that the evidence and the
facts and circumstances connected
with them warrants such q course.
With all due respect to the gentle
men of the committee he feared their
zeal had outrun their knowledge. He
did not believe that the facts Of this
matter xarrented the conclusions at
which they had arrived. What is the
moral effect of testimony! / confess
I am at a loss to understood what is
meant by such language, and yet,
with such words in their report the
committee rccommed impeachment
and consignment TO a fclons cell.
From Mr.. Miley's speech l should
judge the committee had abandoned
the charge of high crimes and INSIDE
meanors. 1t is admitted that there
is no evidence or Gates having re-
ceiyed interest. Indeed that he had
no knowledge w that it was being
paid, and yet, through moral conclu'
sion it is charged that he must have
had such information. It is impos-
sible to reconcile such statements.
The case against the treasurer in
jackson county, explains what the
law on this subject is. Its whole
scope both as to crime and INSIDE
meanor was brought to the considera-
ton of the jury. In view OF the
language of the statutes l am sur
prised to hear the gentleman from
Randolph say the state had no right
to bring suits against the banks
that have its money. The state has
mos. ample remedy. The instructions
giyen by the court at the solicitation
of the prosecution covered all the
charges eminating from the commit
tee. They stated in the ~clearest man
e that il Gates had received felon-
iously any benefits from deposits OF
state funds he shenld be found guilty,
and yet, he was acquitted. This COM
m:ttee has referred to civil cases only.
They have no application to the mat
Ter in hand. Why should Gates be
impeached under such circumstacesP
Has public sentiment reached that
degree Of excitement that nothing
short of actual Impeachment will
satisfy it? MOI The cry for it is the
demand of the demagogue who seeks
to ride into position upon what he
considers the popular wave. He is
simply mistaken. I trust the House
will. excuse the feeling manifested by.
me, When I see the attempts to drag
down agocd man, for political reasons
/ can scarce control myself. Gates
should have at least the same prliEe-
lepes that are ordinarily granted To- .
horse thief. ofFhe law-oficer OF the
state gave It ashis opinion that legis-
Iation would be necessary to make
tba provisions OF. the constitution