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ESDAY, MARCH 12, 1872.The Democrat.1-et-oi-i-d-eirr-irit•t»-cIS•1-kVK-ICItis\pvternillweis.inlSs-• rr-2e*\'dThe way the People were Swindled.Our readers will remember that in 186S-’9we denounced the Railroad appropriation Bills then before the Legislature. We had reason to believe that they were being passed by bribery, and for that cause we denounced the proposition to make appropriations to the A., T. O. Railroad and the WiL, Char. Ruth. Railroad. Bui all the bills were passed, and it is well known that not a mile of Road was ever built with the proceeds of the sale of Stale Bonds.AY e have but recently had time to look over the Report of the Commission appointed by the Legislature to investigate theIrauds and swindles practised against the State.From the testimony of Mr Geo. YV. Swep-son wt; copy the following, showing what influences were brought to bear to induce the passage of appropriation bills:“Question (to Geo. YYr. Swepson)—Were there any bonds or proceeds of bonds or money used to procure the passage of any ordinance or bill through the Convention or Legislature? It you have any information or knowledge on the subject state it fully.Anntrer—In the special session of 1868 a bill was passed making an appropriation to the western division of the Western North Carolina Railroad. The bill did not accomplish the purpose, as no tax was levied to pay the interest. In the Fall I was electedPresident of said Road. 1 came to Raleighand urged the passage of another bill through the Legislature. I was then told by Littlefield and Dewecse, who were lobby members, Littlefield being the principal, tlsit I would get no bills through the Legislature unless I entered into the same arrangement which they said the other Railroad Presidents had made, to pay ten per cent in kind of the amount of the appropriation. 1 understood from Littlefield and Deweese, that all the other Presidents hail mado such an arrangement with them. 1 had no conversation or agreement with the Railroad Presidents invself, but it was generally tin-• * C. * »lt;lt.»rstnotl that each ot them halt;l employe*!Lilllcfu M as a llt;iblv lawyer. I then aifreetl ■ • . * * to their proposition, and afterwards paidLittlefield upwards of 82to,ooo in money, and some bonds, for hi* services in procuring the passage of bills ilwough the Lcgisla-• - I C o Citure making uppropria:ions to the westerndivision ot said road.Qmx.—IIow did you make payment to Littlefield?A/*.— 1 paid money in various ways, sometimes upon Littlefi* Id’s order, some-limes by taking up bis notes and notes of other parties at his request, sonici inn s in money to him and some bonds.Ques.—YY'ill you give the names of the individuals to whom these several sums of money have been paid ?—I have a list of the various sums of money paid and the time and persons to whom pai'l, which list I will furnish hereafter as a part of my testimony. 1 have it now and will furnish a list of the bonds paid out.Qnes.—You stated in the former part of vour examination that vou would furnish a list of the names of persons to whom money and bonds were paid; are you prepared to give that list ?Hus.—Mnce my last examination, I have had a lull examination made by my clerk and book keeper, Mr Rosenthal, of the accounts kept by him, and 1 hereby furnish to the committee a copy from the books of the account entitled M. S. Littlefield with G. W. Swepson. This account I believe to be correct. The same was kept by my book keeper and clerk, Mr Rosenthal. This list embraces the amount of 82 41,713.31, which 1 slated in my report, made to N. W. YVood-ThoughisA mercl call atten suggestion If the Souiruin them Colton anlt;and meat, do next FPlaxti:informed portion of preparuliumade on a unless this some ehelt; coining y growing plt; it is not dt very short of Amerie: time, is itwho is giconsider w cept for tlmore than io remeni cheaper tli another t ami corn lias been lias enable crop at a i since the supplies is cond : Frc is to be a I ly used olikely resdeuce rec the experi suiting in account, large crop will be iuc we undersmen at ni the busy called in, tion, and he paid, operating crop to ihhand, supjwhat can will be ? them, deelt;ruling, amrespect, tlt;ever, is t li he very i;ti be made ’ good sea si.supply 1 Vtt of any \hh count nes, have evercannot be mine wliai with a vei wheat ami what coneleave the these Rilg the folly o Would ityou want, you can t. safe, and 1 vances sinHo\The foil the Nashv that is doi rictiltur.il newspape:“The liand uponui a largemethod o problem i;of an abm
Newspaper Details
Charlotte Democrat
Charlotte, North Carolina, US
Tue, Mar 12, 1872
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Adrienne B.
USA 22 Jan 2023
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