Doc. No. 11.] [SESS. 1871-'72. Ordered to be printed. JAMES H. MOORE, State Printer and Binder. REPORT OF THE COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE CHARGES OF FRAUD AND CORRUPTION. To the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina : GENTLEMEN: The Commission appointed under an act of the General Assembly, entitled "An Act Creating a Commission to Inquire into charges of Corruption and Fraud," ask leave to submit the following report: The Commission organized formally on the 21st day of March, 1871, and had a full consultation as to the extent and nature of the duties imposed upon them, and the plans to be pursued. They found from an examination of the act creating the Commission that the scope of their investigation was of a most comprehensive character, inviting an inquiry into a disposition of all the bonds, or their proceeds, issued to various Railroad Companies since May, 1865, as well as an inquiry into all charges of bribery and corruption against every official of the State, and against every officer of every corporation in which the State has had or has any interest. The Commission entered upon the discharge of their duties with a desire to give a full and thorough investigation of all the matters submitted to them, and if they fail to meet the expectations of your honorable body, or of the people at large, it cannot be attributed to the absence of an honest and earnest effort to do their duty. The field was an extensive one. |