Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-04-05
WATCHMtN g. STATE JOURNAL
MONDAY, APRIL s, 1871.
REFORM COMMENCED.

The following circular issued by order oil Pres
ident Harrison, was gwen in postscript III par
Of our edition last week. We publish it again, Il
rive our readers the pleasure of knowing that the
work Of real, substantial reform has been thus
promptly commenced, Federal officers can no
longer con,rcl the people with IMMUNITY; colec'
,ors and receivers can no longer abuse their trusts
rob The governmcnt mid on the plea oil pur'y ser
vices prevail upon n plant Secretary TO coh'nno
,hpn, in Office. Me- Woodbury's successor will
M, ho,- Senators will not dare 10 shy, in refer
,nce to any case Of official neglect, better fe' II
b,n The doctrines advanced arc sound, anu the
.1hcrcpcn TO them VIC trust will lie strict. We
.v,roct the following from the Washington cor
rr,pondent Of the New York Signal, to remind
rur readers that to two members oil the present
r,birc belongs the credit Of having attempted this
reform at M earlier day.
The order issucd from the Department ID
State. by direction Of the President prohibiting
the Interference Of Federal officers and agents III
popular elections, and requiring the pronat rem
tleIinu Of accounts and the punctu0l payment oil
bnlalrcs from al collecting and disbursing Off
GERS will he hailed with unnnsed satisfaction 10y
the People, ms proof that the President and Cabl-
net Mt least, intended to adhere to the principles
prolcsscd by item before Mcir accession TO pow
or.
The interference with the honest and iudepen-
dent exercise Of tho elective franchise on The ari
ol the people by Government officers, is ali abuse
notorious TO all acquainted with The recent histo
nv Of this country. We have had the spectacle oil
the President HIMSELF and the eX- President taking
the field. The newspapers huve puraded letters
from thcsc persouages, and from the Heads Of De.
rnrtnlcnls, Cureatng, appealing, eNhorting, en-
sipu,icang in behalf OF The Administration. An
attempts by The Wings in Congress 10 arrest The
evil through legislative enactnlents, have failed
heretofore TO JoHN BELL - the present mile and
efficient Secretary OF War belongs The hioh bot
ar of having mnde The first effort TO stop tIe ,or
rent which overwhelmed the land. Five sessions
ago be asked leave to introduce u bill 10 securc
the freedom of elections lie ACCOMPANIED The
motion with Il speech in which he almost cxhaus
ted Tire learning Of the subject. He careered over
The history OF The free states Of ntquity and
modern times, and broueht vast umount of ricl,
and a rosc illustration Of the soundness of the
grca, principles he eudcavored to establish Mr..
Adams, well remember, paid him the most glow
ing compliments, and said this great speech en-
forced doctrines which, Il not put in practice soon,
our government would become q mere form - il
would have all the attributes of monarchy, The
measure, however, inHnd no favor with the nlher.
rnts OF Mr.. Van Barren - and they even refused
leave to Introduce il.
Mr.. Crucuden Introduced similar bill, three
years ago, into the Senate it was rejected after a
debate IL which The supporters Of the late admin.
istraion deliberately took in ground that ii was
not ony The right but the duty Of office holders To
'lo all they could to promote the election of call-
d"lotcs favorable to lie Government Mr.. Crit
trnden attempted to carry his bill again at the last
session. hut leave To introduce it was refused -
The whole country will rejoice to find General
Harrison and his Cu,ne, using all theft influence
ANA power to put stop TO this cry ing abuse. M
longer will the PEOPLE he insulicd by bullying
s,reet-ialklng stump spunin! Federal oflicrrs.-
NO longer will they have to cou,end against the
hrlhery. corruption, and Intimidation resored to
Ivy COLLECTORS, Receivers, District Attorneys and
lheIr subordnatcs Of the General Governments
The practice Of the Government viii be brought
hacA to the standard prescribed hy every free
CONSTITUTION a0d which is insisted on, and gusr-
dcd in England, especially, by severe penalties.