The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1906-01-19


to the report. OF the FIVE who actu-
ally served, three of them did not sup
port the Speaker in his candidacy. The
Chairman Of the committee was
opposed TO the Speaker too, as TO the
adoption of the report. Yet that COM
mittee made a unanimous report, the
nature of which gave them the name Of
the withdrawing COmmi t t e.. -
There was submitted two hundred and
seventy pages of evidence.
wish to state that no one suggested
the name of a single member Of this
committee. Mr.. Noble was appointed
in accordance with the custom of the
House; he being the mover of the reso-
luton, | selected the other FIVE without
knowing or caring for their prediction
on this subject. / simply considered
them good, solid men.
No hidden, powerful outside infu-
ence was brought to bear upon me in
the appointment of any of these COM
mittees, or in the position which took
against the adoption of this report.
No influence in the world directly or
indirectly twas brought to bear upon"
me to do my plain duty in this case.
This report contained matter, which
in my opinion, was unjust. The adop-
ton of it was contrary to all precedent.
iting committee without the adoption
of the others, would be a disrepect to
the other committees. If the dignity
of the House required that the House
should adopt the report of committee
composed of members of the Senate,
and of the House, why should not the
same dignity have required him to sup
port the findings Of the so called
white washing Committee?" viii ch
was composed exclusively of members
of the House?
| have been anxiously waiting to see
whether or not there were in the en-
tire counties of Gadsden and Leon more
than one just man, who might possibly
be upon the grand jury of these coun-
ties. Judge Malone was in Tallahassee
charge to the grand jury in reference
to this corruption, and the indictments
by the grand jury.
We hope that each and every men,
Der of Investigating Committee No.
treasures in his bosom kind remem-
brance of Speaker Gilchrist.
To say that the said members feel
ings were prayerfully consulted, that
his private opinion made public in re-
port was regarded as sublimely sacred
by the Speaker Of the House, is simply
drawing it mild and truthfully.
AS for ourselves, we can only express
in our feeble way an infnitesimal frac-
tion of the deep and proud admiration,
akin to awe, we feel for the man who
knows every ingredient in the compost
ton of the dignity of the House" and
can size up a joint committee to an x
ray finish And proud we are to learn
that "hidden, powerful outside infu-
ence" takes unto itself an abb, and
that this Legislature was afflicted with
either sweeneyed understandings or q
non-sentimental disregard of 'prece-
dent" Glad to learn that General Gill
christ was moved by no hidden or out
side influence, but by powerful inside
love of precedent and a spirit Of
gallantry (see feminine telegram that
was indeed becoming.
Now, we want it understood that we
do not object to precedent" but let
it be of the right breed and tote a
proper pedigree.
When in it's report a committee APP
pointed to investigate alleged fraud
states that it found itself hampered and
handicapped by lack of records, de-
tailed itemized accounts and other data
asked for, and therefore failed to get
at important facts, it certainly is a
juicy gem of precedent" which says
that such report is final and sufficient,
and that all subsequent committees for
the same purpose are mere noxious su-
perfiuities!
And we are given to understand that
committees are appointed supposedly to
make reports, which reports are not
supposed to be made for adoption lac
cOrding to precedent), but as matter
of form-or farce. In other words, in
vestigating committees are a necessary
contrivance, but ring tailed nuisance,
all the same.
General Gilchrist does not believe in
big, strong words on small, weak occa-
sions. He is a language temperance
exhorter, or word Specialization COM
mittee occasions; and has brass mon
key motto: Hear no evil; see no evil;
speak no evil" Well blessed are the
pure in heart"
Now, if the General can bring forth
proof that there was but little scandal
Gus in the State asylum management,
as his discreet silence on that particu-
lar item intimates, then we will own up
and play with him in the same back
yard on his plain duty proposition, and
also blow any number of trumpets in
| l. NJ n