The news & observer., 1897-02-24

At S.lO o CiOSh EdSL iLlEut UQe
committee re-assembled to continue
the investigation of the directors
of the North Carolina Railroad in connec-
ton with the leasing of that road to the
Southern for 90 years at per cent. The
committee failed TO meet at noon by ap-
pointment, having concluded to finish the
hearing last night.
There were present Messrs. Grant
(chairman), Abell Butler, McCanthy,
Alexander, absent Whedbee. The room of
the State Library was well filed with
about the same gentlemen as We're pres
ent Monday.
Mr.. Benehan Cameron first took the
stand, stating that he was not director
at the time the lease was made, but was
interested as a stockholder, and after the
Conference" with Col. Andrews, the Gov
ernor wired him the terms. lie then tried
to interest Mr. Warren Eliot, of the At
lantic Coast Line who, however. pro-
nounced the offer of the Southern good
one. Two other BUSINESS men at the
White Sulphur where he was, namely
Mr.. Pinckney, of South Carolina, and Mr..
John Z. Branch, of Richmond, pro-
uounced the offer good one, especially
the 99-year feature was mentioned by Mr..
Branch as making the stock a choice
trust investment Also. Col. ia. s. Bu-
ford. the old president OF the Richmond
and Danville, thought the offer good and
told his reasons for it. After these con-
sultations, he wired Governor Carr that
his influence would be used with the pri-
vate stockholders in behalf of the lease;
and since then, he has had no reason TO
change his opinion.
Cross-examined by Judge Avery, War
rem Eliot was president of the Atlantic
Coast Line who Mr.. Benehan Cameron
had learned since, probably acted in con-
cert with the Southern. Col. a. s. Bu-
ford was ex-president of the old Rich
mond and Danville, and had been drop
ped, and for that reason he might natu-
rally be disposed to feel hardly against
The system John =. Branch, Mr.. Gamer
on did not know whether or not he was a
large stakeholder in the North Carolina
Railroad. Mr. Cameron was trying to
find interested, not disinterested men to
advise him in the matter. Mr.. Cameron
had bought some stock for his sister a
little while after the lease: also he had
bought some for cot in the hospital as a
memorial to his little boy at 133, also
some for his sisters children; also had
bought some that came from England
on a falling market during the campaign
gold and silver agitation.
Mr.. Manning stated that the other di-
rectors of the North Carolina Railroad
were present, and they We're all rendered
and sworn.
Chairman Grant said that hereafter
he wanted to hear only about the lease
of the North Carolina Railroad to the
Southern, because he must finish the in
vestigation tonight Qast night.
DIRECTOR FRIES.
Mr.. FL. w Fries first took the stand.
To Judge Avery: He was not one of the
committee in Raleigh, but was in Bur
lington He preferred the 99-year lease
because with 80 years they agreed to pay
taxes and give the betterments to the
State. He had owned stock ever since
the road had started, had bought no stock
since the lease, but would have done so
had he had the opportunity.
DIRECTOR SPRUILL.
Mr.. Spruill succeeded Mr.. Pace as di-
rector, and was not at the Raleigh meet
ing, but was at Burlington. He did not
favor 99-year lease, and had stated that
he voted against it, but subsequently a
member had suggested that they had all
CNA-
Overman since he had refreshed his mem
ory, and could now say that he and Col.
Overman voted for 80 years, though he
proposed thirty years in the board, which
was voted down; Capt Young made the
30-year motion, according to the records.
He was one of the committee to propose
the ultimatum 80 years. Capt. Alexander
the chairman of the meeting
was added moment later, and followed
to the room where Andrews, Spencer
and Ryan. He stated the ultimatum
but Capt. Alexander spoke and left the
impression that he was favorable to a
99-year lease, by agreement with An
drews, but said that so years was the ulti-
matum. Mr. Spruill believed that Mr.
Spencer would have accepted the 50-year
lease, had it not been for the remark of
Capt. Alexander, but he didn't believe
Col. Andrews ever would. In justice to
Capt. Alexander, Mr.. Spruill thought he
was only trying to explain his individual
attitude to be consistent, though he stood
by the ultimatum. Mr.. Spencers willing
ness to accept the 50-year lease was be-
fore the remark of Alexander in favor of
80 years. Governor Carr had in no way
influenced him, but he had offered his
resignation because he felt that his views
0lHeTeu IHDSt VI ooftlhOl odI1s
which he knew to be for 90 years.
Mr.. Spruill here referred to a remark of
Judge Avery's of the day before, ,exonerat-
ing Judge Hoke in so many words, and
Mr.. Spruil considered that inasmuch as
this exception was made, the other direc-
tors, if they were implicated by indirec-
tion, should be exonerated one by one un-
til proper ground for not doing so might
be found. Mr. Sprull demanded, so far
as he fas concerned, to be exonerated,
which somewhat aroused Judge Avery,
who simply looked at the matter from
different standpoint, with no desire Of
rejecting On Mr.. Spruill, but the Judge
he would answer no demands and de-
sired peace, but if Mr.. Spruill wanted to
shake out hs c0at-tail and seek difficulty
he could be accommodated. The Judge
said, on the contrary, that he had conduct
ed his investigation OF Mr.. Spruil with
the distinct idea that he was against the
9o-year lease, bur he was not here to ex-
nT ia r1tahsg eflvgs ~