Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1895-01-24
THE LEADER OF THE "REFoRMERs.'
Raleigh News & Observer.

Raleigh News & Observer.
When the Fusionists wanted to
suspend the rules in order to re-
peal the law letting the public
printing to the lowest bidder, it
became necessary to have a pre-
siding officer who would ignore
established parliamentary laws
and run rough shod over the
minority
Mr.. Walser found it convenient
to be absent.
The instrument for the I'M
lawful and revolutionary pro-
ceeding was found in the person
of Gizzard z. French, of
Fender county, who illegally
represents New Hanover in the
House.
He made a good Tom Reed,
and did the Revolutionary act
without finching.
To ignore parliamentary law
and crush the minority and in
crease expenditures was a con-
genial task for Mr.. French. AS
a member of the Infamous Leg
lslature of 1869 he was one of
the number that robbed the tax
payers, and put part of the
goods in his own purse-so says
| the Fraud Commission.
Now he is the leader of the
Reform movement" in North
Carolina. Our people have short
memories.
In view of his outbreak and
bitter denial in the House yes
terday, it is perhaps we'll to show
the Legislative history of this
man who is now the recognized
,eader Of the Fusionists in the
l ouse. When the honest men
mong them know the facts,
they will repudiate his leader
ship. Let US see how far the
sworn testimony bears out his
denial.
Mr.. French was a member OF
the Legislature of 1869, and
Mr.. Swepson testified before the
Fraud Commission, saying.
"As to charges against G. Z. French
OF $50, Feb. 18th, 1869, [ think thar
Was paid in money. AS to the two
drafts, June 18th. 1869, one French ant
Estes, the other Estes and French each
for $40, 456, 81, they were drafts dis
tcounted in New York which I endorsed
and had to pay. These drafts were
handed to Gen. Littlefield, and charged
up to him by his direction. AS to the
two items of March 9th and 18th, eacf
of SIS. 900. and of June 10Th, of So, 900
they were drafts, l think. endorsed b.,
French and Abbott and discounted il
some of the banks, which think | ha(
endorsed. They were paid by me AM
charged to Gen. Littletield; by his di
rectiOn.
AS to the charge of $4,000 agains-
Foster, April %, 1863: Nj. Foster. tn,
member Of the Legislature from Bla
den, came in to see me with G.. Z
French, and he had a note or draft o
Littletieid's payable to t. Foster, whic]
[ paid by request of Littlefield,"
This is the same G. z. French
who is leading the Performers
in the House, who has the gal
to preach honesty to Democrats
In his evidence before the sam
Fraud Commission, Gen. T. L
Clingman says:
!, Deweeze said there had been a rim
!, Or combination at Raleigh to i~nfuenc
Legislation for the railroads. \ X
He said Abbot, Estes, and French wer
all in the ring.
:, Mr.. G.. Rosenthal, who wa
Swepson's book keeper testifes
, The item of $500 to G.Z. French. Feb
ruary 9th, 1869, was, l think, none
| handed to him. [ know nothing c
Oh lrges June 18th, 1869, amounting t
/ e. l,9l4,94 against Estes and French
Nor do | know anything of the charge
, of March 9Th, and June 18th, 1865
amounting to S13, 900 except that
made the charges as in the other cases
/ Mr.. Rosenthal's recollectio,
agrees with Swepson's, tina
: French brought Foster to Nj
iSwepson who was paid $25, OOe
/ Il remember" he says, .'tha
Mr.. Swepson handed me a paper
either draft or note. the endorse
ment being in what I took to b
the handwriting of 6. z. French.
What does Mr.. French, in hi
sworn testimony say? See pag
! 395-399 inclusive of the report &
J the Fraud Commissions:
Q. Did you not vote for tn
appropriation TO all these raj
:, road bills which passed the Leg
! islature at that session?
A. I think I voted for all {
them.
@. Did you not receive fror
ZIG. W. Swepson on the 18th {
February, 1869, or thereabou-
$500 in cash, or it's equivalen'
n June 18th, 1869, the sum of $40
1861 and the same date a lik
sum Of $40, 456, 81? If so, stat
how this money was paid and tn
e consideration therefor. And wi
you also state any other sum
that you received from Swepso
t Or Littlefeld?
A. I borrowed on or abol
the 18th of February, 5000 fro
Swepson, for which 1 gave N
:" note or due bill. The same da
he negotiated for me in Ne
York a loan of $40, 1861 on
l. draft signed by me and accepte
by L. G. Estes, and endorsed b
l. himself, and drawn at fol-
months, which was discounte
at one per cent. per month.
.o draft for like amount rlnnin