The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-04-08
AFFIDAvrrs IN THE McBEE CASE.

this morning we publish the affidavit
OF Mr.. McBee, made in the trial of the
Indictment now pending against him
self and Mr.. Finch in the superior court
of Wake county. As exhibits and parts
of his affidavit are attached sworn
statements OF other persons regarding
certain matters connected with the
management of the Atlantic and North
Carolina railroad.
These aff1davits answer several OF the
questions The Messenger a recently
asked regarding the conduct ~ the
affairs of this state property-matters
which we said the people would like to
have The governors committee of in
vestigation look intA.
Some of these were: The purchase OF
fuel and other supplies. and in connec-
ton with h Il question a list OF the
stockholders during The last WE years
of h National Oil Company would be
as interesting reading as is that Of the
string of local attorneys contained in
the affidavit. The latter list is worth
studying. There are thirty-four names
on it, headed by the solicitor OF the
Raleigh district who is now prosecut-
ing Messrs. NcBee and Finch. Among
the others are both our senators and
four OF our congressmen-six out Of the
states twelve representatives in con-
gress, also the solicitor Of another dis
trict, and a number of members or ex-
members OF the legislature and promi-
nent politicians. The affidavits Of Mr..
Turner and Miss Baker answer our
question about the management OF the
hotel. The affidavits also show that
light should be thrown on the matter
of the large membership of the COM
mittee on proxies. OF which We hereto
fore said an explanation should be made
Fourteen members OF the committee
not stockholders!
The statements in these affidavits
show hat The Messenger was not hit
ting at random" when it asked that the
governors investigating committee
should look into certain matters in con-
nection with the road. We may ask
some more before the investigation is
over.
In taking the position it has regard
ing the management of the Atlantic
and North Carolina railroad The Mes
senger has not made an attack on the
state administration or any Of the state
officials individually. We would be de-
lighted if it could be shown that his
property has been managed to the best
interests of the state and Of the private
can be done. Bad management OF this
road does not by any means necesSari-
lyjmean unfaithful conduct on the part
of state officials. What we contend is
that this property has been badly man
aged and that the conduct of h affairs
cause of loss to it's owners and that,
consequently there should be a change
mo matter whether that bad manage
ment was through design or because OF
incompetency Of the men in charge;
also that this Dad a figured too much
son it's management should be taken
out OF the hands of the state n placed
where that of all such property should
be-in the hands Of those who will run
it on business principles and for the
benefit of its owners
The road has always been a burden to
the state and to those counties which
paid full value in cash" for their
blocks Of stock. Lease or sell the road
and those who ave for years found
their holdings an expensive luxury,
maintained for the benefit of a favor
ed few will get some return on their in
vestments. We canno see. for instance
why the entire population of Craven Or
Lenoir county should be taxed for keep
ing UP a railroad in order that a GER
tain number of their citizens in touch
with the powers hat he" should nave
free transportation for themselves and
such freight as is shipped to them or
by them.
A full investigation into the affairs of
this road will, we believe. show that it
has always been an incubus to the peo-
pie of the state; that the many have
been taxed for the benefit of the few.
Therefore we advocate it's lease or sale
so that the burden may be taken of
the people, and that the state, instead
of paying out money each year, there
by adding to the amount OF taxes o.
the people. may receive an income from
it. reducing the taxation to that
mount.
1t would be very different had this
property been operated at a profit and
the state and counties owning stock had
been deriving incomes from their in
vestments upon property managed, no.
as a political lever. but on business
prino;nIac