The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-01-11

may tpnd to eliminate me, or 10 dlScloSe
tho circumstances or source from Whlch
or the means by which, evidence OF the
commission of an act which the Com
T,ission believe to be unlawful, may be
obtained"
Several other similar questions were
asked and each time this same answer,
which had been written on q piece Of
MINER by Mr.. Busbep. and will hereafter
III known as '.Busbec's Standard An
syyor.o was read by the witness.
Mr.. Pearson-"Is that to be your an
swer to all questions:"
After consulting counsel, Mr.. Munson
replied. Il do not intend to give this
as an answer to every question"
But he did give it, with parachute
regularity and precision. He was asked
whether he had the way bill or any re-
cord of the shipment.
He ratified off the written answer.
WAS application ever made to you by
Mai. Wilson or anybody else for speclal
rates on these goods?"
He quoted "Busbee's Standard An
swer."
Did you ever admit to anyone that
such application had been made!'
Official answer.
"What rate, Mr.. MunsOn, was charged
Wilson on his goods"'
Same answer.
Chairman Caldwell-''That is all we
can do. Fortunately the law provides q
remedy for such witnesses as Mr.. Mum
son.
Mr.. Busbee-"I wish to say again to
the Commission that the only questions
which they can ask are such as will help
them to intelligently make rates. Under
the act itself you have a right to make
this investigation if you can do so with
out violating the United States Consti-
tuition. The United States Supreme court
is as vet. I thank God, unless its powers
lie exhausted, still the guardian and pre-
server of the liberties of the citizens Of
North Carolina"
At the close of this pyrotechnic Chair
man Caldwell said:"It is no pleasant duty
to make a ruling of this kind, Mr.. Bus
bee. as YOU know, but this court holds
that under this act the court is entitled
to the information asked. The defendant
shows that he is disposed to trlf1e ana
prevent an investigation of the matter
at issue. as the witness declines to an
swer We shall attach him for contempt
and cOnfne him until he purges himself
of contempt or is otherwise, by law, re-
leased"
Mr.. Busbee said he would like to have
a copy of the complaint in the case. Mr..
Caldwell explained that there was no
formal complaint, but that the discrim-
nation had become so notorious IN the
public prints that the Railroad Commits
sion deemed it a duty to investigate the
charge.
DIR. Abbott-"I would like to state
that as a member Of this court l am
entirely ignorant Of the object and pur-
pose Of this investigation and that IS
Why I'm unable to vote on it or express
any opinion
With the next witness, Mr.. r. /.
Potts, local freight agent for the South
ern Railway, the Commission had no
better success. Though he didn't spring
"Busbee's Standard Answer on them
often, still he either never had known
ANYTHING or had forgotten it.
"Wha record, if any, have you Of
the shipment Of Wilson's goods to Round
Knob?'
Il can't remember"
40 you keep a record of all ship
ments from here:'
YES, sir"
"Have you investigated since the pro-
cess was served on you to find out Wheth-
er q record was made or nOt!"
1--WE been trying to get my books to-
cether. but | had no data to work on"
''Where are our reeords!"
"In my office"
"Yyere you not ordered to bring them
here?'
Il was"
why did you not bring Them"
Didn't have time to get them to-
gether."
Did you find the entry now sought?'
II did not"
Did you look for it:'
81 did"
what personal recollection have yosl
of the shipment of these particular
household goods?'
q have none"
s'Yhere were you yesterday after
i.noon from / to 6 o'clock?"
"At my house, up town and at sew
| eral other places"
did you have any information after
| o'clock yesterday that a subpoena had
been issued for you to appear before this
court?"
mo sir"
.How long would it take you, Mr.
Potts to refer to a shipment made las1
August!"
81 don't know"
s'This shipment would not have beer
IEmade without some record, even il
ssent free of charge, would it,"
"No sir"
"HOW long would 1t q k you TO ge
! together your records between April ls
and August 1st?
II don't know"
"Can you get them by 2 O'Clock"
81 don't know. l can try"
"We shall expect you to have then
I, here at that time"
Here Mr.. Busbee stated that he dldn,
want the Commission to understan'
from the witness answer that he wa
promising to produce the books.
Mr.. H. w. Miller, who said he wa
a clerk in Col. Andrews office, was mex
put on the stand, and questioned IN re
gard to the issuance Of free passes b
the Southern Railway.
Mr.. Miller, like Mr.. Munson, adhere
strictly to "Busbee's Standard Al
swer." with one or two mo, Slrs," an
| don't remembers thrown in to var