The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-08-31
GOV. NokTHRN TALES.
Why Charges We're Not Preferred
Against Livingston.

Why Charges We're Not Preferred
Against Livingston.
Gov. Northen was asked Friday why DIR.
Gibson sought to bring charges before the
state alliance instead of the executive COM
mittee. Hegave quite a number of reasons.
Q.l When the president and other officials
Of the Georgia state alliance were charged
before the Ocala convention last December
with certain offenses the convention con-
sidered the charges and appointed O com
mittee to iavestigat the complaints. The
charges were never referred TO tue execu-
tive committee. e. In the last session of
the state alliance of Georgia john Sibley
preferred charges against Col. Corput.
The charges were first referred to special
committee, but afterward were considered
by the committee on the good OF the order.
81 Last March Col. Livingston published a
card expressing his willingness to cali the
executive committee together and submit
oil charges to it that might be brought
against the state alliance officials; and if
that was Objectionable he would call a ses-
sion Of the state alliance and sub
nit the matter to that body. a.
In an interview June 10 he again ex-
pressed his readiness to throw the executive
committee open 60 the men who had charges
to make, aud told them that If they were
not satisfied to go before that committee he
would call the state alliance together, even
though it would be at a cost OF 81 1000.
These reasons were deemed a sufficient
guarantee that the investigation could be
had before the alliance. There was strong
precedent for this course. and the president
had more than once publicly said that the
charges would be entertained by the con-
| vention.
Again it was not possible TO obtain some
| important testimony in time, indeed, it has
not vet been received; but it was thought
best not to delay the matter longer than the
session Of the state alliance. The lnvesti.
| eating committee at Ocala reported that
they could not approve of Col. Livingstone
| connection with the late canvass for United
| States senator before our general assembly.
| The testimony before that committee was,
therefore, considered of Importance for this
| investigation. This testimony was solicited
| from II. c. Demming of Harrisburg Pa,
who was secretary as well as a member OF
that committee. This was not received aud
his correspondence explains, In part, the
| necessity for the delay in presenting the
| charges before the order.
Continuing, the governor said: I'VE had
| precedent for going before the convention.
| We lad the positive statement of the presi-
| dent, several times made public, that the
charges would be heard IN the convention.
Even after we were in session he told DIR.
| Gibson that be should be heard at sthe
proper time, still confirming The right TO
| be heard before the alliance. We
did not want to put the alliance
| to the expense of called ses-
sion; therefore we took the course we did.
| We thought as these matters had been be-
| fore the public some months that every man
in the convention should hear the testimony
and the defense. Iameau no reflection upon
the committee, but we will not 20 before it.
/ When we go to tho committee he will then
say that precedent demands that we go be-
fore the alliance. No. sir, what l know ia
now absolutely in my control have done
my duty to the order in offering the con.
vention some damaging facts. They were
! violently thrown back into my hands, and
am now at liberty to use them as l see fit.