The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-07-07

resolution TO appoint a committee OF
three to investigate, and on the Goth.
Phillips, Bragg and Scott were ap-
pointed by Lieutenant Governor Cald-
well, a bitter partisan. but a man with
clean hands and soon began an inves-
tigation. The Senate also passed a
bill repeating all this railroad legisla-
ton, which came to the House or Feb
ruary 10th, where II was fought with
great desperation. Dilatory tactics
were resorted 20 TO defeat il without
avail. Motions TO amend, to subst.-
tute, to refer, consumed day after day.
but the friends Of the bill under the
leadership of Thomas ]. Jarvis, and
Mr.. Pou pressed il on TO its passage.
After it had passed its third reading.
a motion to reconsider was successful.
by one vote, and the bill was postpon-
ed for several days by a majority OF
ten. 1t looked, indeed, as IL Littletield
had fully regain-d his mastery over
the House. But eventually Mr.. POD
was able to carry his point and the
bill was passed. The acts were all
repealed.
The Investigation by the House in
SoIliIIltlct VI Tue WhOic hdu nut All
swered the purposes intended. Little
fields influence dominated its proceed
ings. The meetings were postponed
from time to time and witnesses refus-
ed to attend or declined to answer CT
answered evasively. Littlefield bull
baited the House and made his examl-
nation a passing jest. He turned the
proceeding into ridicule n bore HIM
self as a hero with conscious strength
rather than as a culprit at the bar OF
justice. But the Bragg commission
was making Investigations at the same
time and a crisis was being rapidly
reached.
On March 4th the House, in COIL
mittee of the whole, spurred up by
the proceedings of the Bragg commis-
sion, resolved that it would pursue
the matter with greater diligence and
that the committee should not adjourn
for more than two days at a time.
And on the same day the House
passed a resolution directing the SEN
ate commission to report its proceed
ings up to the 18th Of March. The
purpose of this move was evidently 10
interrupt the investigation.
The day following, the Bragg CON-
mission had Littlefieid before it on
examination, and the House, at the
instance of the committee OF the
whole, resolved that Littlefield should
not be required to testify in regard
to his dealings with private parties.
but that he might be examined in re-
gard to his transactions with members
of the Legislature.
On Monday, March 9th, however,
the House resolved hat Littlefield
might be excused from appearing be-
fore the committee of the whole. Evil
IDENTIFY the trail was getting very warm.
The fox was being run to cover. An
other Maynard had brought the Black
Beard to close quarters, and fears were
felt lest other witnesses would give
away the whole business.
A supper was given at the hotel
where many of the Republican leaders
were present, and oysters, wine and
cigars comforted the faithful. Speeches
were made by Littlefield and other
leading Republicans or the necessity Of
repeating the Bragg commission, as 1t
was said the Democrats could make
political capital out Of the investiga-
ton. Littlefield. however, struck the
bulls eye when he said, IF they knew
as much about that Bragg commission
as he did, they would vote to repeal
it the next day" That was an ire
sistible argument. II was most per-
suasiye. 1t was so agreed-and b
next day-Saturday, March 18th, G
the commission made it's report under
the resolution calling for it. a motion
was promptly made to discharge the
commission. At once the contest be-
gan. Had Littleficld the power TO dom
mate the Senate as he had dominated
the House? Did he hold the majority
in his hand as against the fair fame
of the honest people Of North Caro-
Llama? The vote resulted In a tie! But
honest Caldwell broke the tie and vot-
ed against the motion TO discharge the
commission. Without avail however.
Colonel Ham Jones moved TO continue
the commission, but Senator Sweet
again moved to discharge it-and Lit
tlefeld carried the day.
A few days later, a bill having been
passed appointing some OF the D
holders of the w n. g. Railroad a CON-
mittee TO settle with Swepson and Lit
tIefeld for the funds Of that company,
and that committee being about to as
semble hero at Raleigh, Littlefeld
seized his carpet-bag. and as he was
coming out Of the hotel, saw Colonel
Ham Jones. Stopping a moment, he
said: Colonel Jones, | am about %
leave town. My departure will be the
subject OF much comment. l do not
wish to leave without telling some
one that / am going. / therefore tell
you now that / am going" And, jump
ing into a waiting omnibus, he was