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Q-Don't you think it is a thing in which they can hardly exercise any authority?
A.-They say they only said what was the common talk of the place, and they don't want their names mixed up with it.
Hon. A. LISTER.-Well, I must say this: some years ago, when I was less cautious than I perhaps am now, when I may have expressed myself too strongly about any one, I did not meet with this wonderful reticence. I should have had somebody within 24 hours come after me and say, "did you say so and so?" They have committed themselves to this thing, and I don't think they have any right to shut it up in this way. I know this, if I were to say to-night, in any company, that so and so was giving or taking bribes, I don't think to-morrow would be over before I should have some one asking me if I said so and what I meant by it.
Q.-Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-Now, we have got so far, that you tell us there are three people in the Colony who have made these charges or repated them, and when challenged they absolutely decline to come forward, and we may take it for granted they have nothing to say; but in talking to them again, did they lead you to believe they thought there was anything in the charges, or they were merely repeating irresponsible gossip "hair-brained chatter of irresponsible frivolity"—are these the class of men?
A.-I don't think they would like to be thought so.
Q.-But did they give you the impression they knew any facts, or were merely repeating what they had heard?
A. They were merely repeating, though they seemed to believe it to some extent.
Q.--Do they believe it now?
A. They gave me that impression.
Q.-They gave you that impression, and yet they refused to come forward?
A.-Yes.
Q.-Hon. A. LISTER.-Then I think you reduce us to this position: we shall have to report to the Governor that one of his Officers is in possession of information and absolutely declines to give it. (Reads Commission)" and I hereby charge all Officers in the public service to assist them therein." It will be our duty to inform the Governor that one person at least in the public service simply says. "I could give you informa- tion, but I won't."
A.-I have given all the information I myself possess, except that I don't care to give the names of certain people who have told me certain things, and I don't see that I could give them without their permission.
Q.-But I put it that no man having made such a statement, unless he has first said “I give it you on condition that you won't repeat it," has a right to expect such secrecy. I don't suppose you would have had any hesitation in repeating what these people said to half a dozen other people.
A.-No, not the slightest.