The airing of the testimony of City Manger M. W. Ferebee, with respect to charges brought in August when L. B. Culpepper and George C. Culpepper were alleged to have attempted to bribe the City Manager, and sundry dealers of material in order to secure the sale of certain gravel for [part of sentence missing] was the most important consideration before the Grand Jury this week.
The actin of the grand jury was probably instituted because such a stir was created when the charges were brought to light in this newspaper, and public sentiment demanded a thorough investigation be made by the Grand Jury.
The probable result of the investigation will be a reprimand from the court in the even there is sufficient cause to warrant further action. There was actually no money passed, so far as has been determined, the alleged attempt having been stepped on by the City Manager who alleged that the Culpeppers had offered to split certain commissions with him if he would recommend their material.
A statute on the books of North Carolina dealing with such cases may never be invoked, but the publicity attending the charges may have had a wholesome effect in curbing other tendencies to secure illegal profits at a time when the city is spending hundreds of thousands for improvements.
Robert R. Taylor is foreman of the Grand Jury.
From the front page of The Independent, Elizabeth City, N.C., Friday, Nov. 12, 1926
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn83025812/1926-11-12/ed-1/seq-1/
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