The News & Observer

PUT UP OR SHUT UP.

The character of the gentlemen named to investigate the affairs of the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad is such that the people of North Carolina know they will make a thorough investigation and an honest report. Here is the gist of their instructions, as stated by the Governor:

"The committee is going to make a very full examination into the physical and financial condition of the road and the hotel, and the conduct of both. They will go into details, and leave no stone unturned."

The committee desires to get at all the facts, and to that end have issued a public invitation in which they "earnestly invite all persons having knowledge or trustworthy information of any matter that ought to be investigated, reported upon or remedied, to acquaint us or any of us with the same, either by letter or personal interview and as early as possible."

Mr. McBee has made an affidavit as to certain rumors and street talk, most of it coming from the henchmen of the anti-Democratic lawyers he has employed, and most of which is not correct. This committee will investigate all of his statements and let the public know the real truths about each and every one of them.

There are some subsidized newspapers and some others that have been printing and talking about very bad things that have been done in connection with the road. The committee invites them to write at once and acquaint them with the same. It is now up to them to furnish the information they are circulating so that it may be sifted. They must put up now or shut up.

The Governor and all the people of North Carolina wish to know the true condition of the company. If there is anything wrong, the remedy must be applied. If mistakes have been made, they must be corrected. If there has been corruption, the guilty must be punished. The people of North Carolina will await the report of this investigating committee with confidence that it will contain the whole truth. In the meantime they are grateful to the Governor that he had the courage to oust the conspirators and prove that North Carolina's Chief Executive will protect public and private corporations against being confiscated or grabbed by soldiers of fortune and conspirators.

The important lesson-the matter of the highest importance-that the owners of corporate property are protected in their control of it has been taught. And the officer of every corporation in the State has felt to thank the Governor for preserving this necessary right.