The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-16

had been closed and the one in Ashe-
vile was not satisfactory to the travel
ing public.
The allegations made that he received
packages for his hotel free of charge, Is
not true. The Round Knob is but one
of the few hotels along the line of rail
way where summer visitors re-
sort that had not received
much fav0rs from railroads: and
as compared with several other hotels
mentioned in the voluminous testi-
moIly taken before your committee. Mrs.
Wilson was Disseminated against. The
allegation that by their concert with the
railroad company, the telegraph operator
ut Round Knob was TO receive her board
from Mrs. Wilson, and be paid monthly
by the railroad company. we believe TO
he true: hut your committee fails to sec
why, if such arrangement was made. it
was not honorable on the part of both
Mrs. Wilson and the railroad company.
as ii was the business of the railroad
company to inform the proprietress
of the eating house of the number of
passengers on each train who would
take meals with her. and it was to her
advantage to accommodate such passen-
gers.
Your committee further adjudges. as
n matter of law, that the leasing of a
hotel on the side of n railroad is not
such an interest as. under the statute,
would have disqualified one to act as
Railroad Commissioner, and that the
arrangement made between Mrs. Wilson
and the Railroad Company as to the
telegraph operator, has no bearing what
ever, upon the question before your
committee
We recommend respectfully. that the
Legislature, in joint session. should
adopt the questions of law and conclu-
sions of law and of the fact of your
committee. and by joint resolution, adj
judge that Mr.. s. Ohio Wilson is not
disqualified to act as Commissioner and
should be restored to his office, and re-
ceive his salary for the time during
which he has been suspended therefrom.
We find that His Excellency, in suspend
ing both of these officers, acted upon
letters containing charges against them,
from which he has quoted in his mes
sages to the General Assembly, which,
if believed. would have established such
interest in the railroad as is forbidden
by the statute.
But, upon thorough examination Of
witnesses, we find there is a wide dis
crepancy between the allegations con
tanned in the letters and the facts as
they exist
We are well aware of the fact that
His Excellency had no right to summon
witnesses before him. and that this
committee. in passing upon the question
involved in both the cases before it, had
the advantage of the testimony of
sworn witnesses. We have examined
all of the witnesses, save one, who gave
information to His Excellency concern
ing the inquiry involved in this investi-
CATION. The testimony of this one wit
ness. we were unable to obtain, but it
was shown to our satisfaction, that he
was absolutely unreliable and prejudiced
against Mrs Wilson. the mother of Mr..
S. Ohio Wilson.
If the facts stated in these letters. had
been true. His EXcellency would have
been able to have shown that Mr.. S.
Ohio Wilson, by arrangement with the
Railroad Company, was receiving goods
free of all charge. for transportation.
f. /. OSBORNE,
+. G.. JAMES.
Il. J. JUSTICE.
5. +. PATTERSON.
j. o. CARR.