The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-26
" HIS HELLlSH PURPOSE"
THE WAY THE LATTER CHAR
ACTERIXED THE COVER
NOR'S COURSE.
BILL OF PARTICULARS AGAINST WILSON
He is Charge1 With Having Used the Frank Of
Both the Express and Telegraph Ccm-
panieS and Free Passes Over
the Southern.
the Southern.

lH5 oOuJltFH'
The largest crowd that has appeared
in the Senate Chamber this session as
sembled there last night to hear the in
vcstigation as to the suspension of the
Wilson's from the Railroad Commission.
Though nothing was done beyond sub
mitting bill of particulars on the part
of Governor Russell and a list of wit
nesses the meeting was decidedly SEN
sational. The counsel supplied this fea-
ture of the occasion.
When Mr.. Douglas, for the Governor,
had read the bill of particulars, Mr.. r..
o. Burton, for Major Wilson, made an
impassiOned plea for an immediate hear
ing Oh the basis of statement of facts
which he submitted.
"Allow me to say" said Mr.. Burton,
that with all Difference to his office
there has been in this State no conduct
of the utmost condemnation as the con-
duct of His Excellency toward this
man." pointing dramatically to Major
Wilson.
Eighteen months ago he made speci-
fic charges against Major Wilson as to
the Round Knob Hotel, and charged
that his son was an employe Of the
Southern Railway. Now he charges
him with one thing and seeks evidence
to convict him of another"
Mr.. Burton read Major Wilson's state
ment OF facts to the effect that he had
leased the Round Knob hotel to S. Otho
Wilson before the promise was made tc
make it Il railrod eating house, but that
Col. \. +. Andrews had signed a note
for $4,000 jointly with him, and that hC
had given Col. Andrews an indemnity
bond for the amount He denied hay
ing passed or offered to pass himself OF
any of his family over the lines of the
Southern railway Mr.. Burton demand
ed that the evidence be restricted to the
specific charges in the Governors mrs
sage to the General Assembly. and de-
clared that Major Wilson had been rob,
bed of his rights.
Capt. Day sarcastically replied that
every court in the land had heard the
same argument and three times the
courts had said there was nothing in it.
The disqualifications were put i'll the
law by the people not by the Governor
the latter had no choice. The Railroad
Commissioners should not be permitted
to use the railroads. express and the
telegraph lines free when everybody else
pays. IF the law has not been violated
why do these gentlemen wish to shut off
the light?' he asked. He refused to ac-
cept Major Wilson's statement of factN.
Mr. Osborne asked if counsel could
not agree on Major Wilson's statement
of facts. Judge Avery replied that the
facts were mixed with argument and
explanation, and counsel for the Gov
ernOr were not prepared to accept it.
There were other causes besides those
mentioned and counsel wished to show
them. Mr.. Osborne asked that the
committee be Informed of what counsel
for the Governor expected to prove by
the witnesses. Judge Avery replied that
such would be novel proceeding.
Mr.. Justice: There should be a bill
Of Indictment
Judge Avery: I'VE have given bill
of particulars
Judge Bynum made fiery speech in
which he compared Governor Russells
treatment OF Major Wilson to the treat
ment of Napoleon by the English, and
of DreyfuS by the French. The GOV
ernOr. he declared. was pursuing Maj.
Wilson with 'hellish purpose and was
striving To throw odium on the Legisla-
ture by making the investigation eNpen-
sive." He asked for an immediate hear
ing
Judge Avery said that if the commit
tee wished to hear the case without evil
dence the responsibility was upon them.
Capt. Day created something of a
sensation by his reply to Judge Bynum.
Il am amazed" said he. that Judge
Bynum should have used such language
concerning one branch of the govern
ment before n coordinate branch. 1t is
Il matter of taste. but | regret it exceed
ingly." His face flushed with feeling,
Capt. Day exclaimed: IF the commit
tee can be influenced by such appeals
to partisan feeling. if Angl0-Sayon tra-
dtionS mean no more than this, then
may God in heaven have mercy on us
ALL"
Judge Bynum replied in tones cold as
steel and with whitening sarcasm. Il
am judge of my own conduct and Ian
guagc When the time comes that |
need my friends advice | will call upon
him. | repeat, the purpose is hellish.
Capt. Day: Il protest against the use
Of such language
IL Eel