Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-11-21
snecch ofMr. lInr.h orBrandon,

IN reply 10 msmbers Of ire House, on The BH
for The relief Of citizens Of Yermom and
Of the suffering poor IA hdnsas
In House Of Representatives., -Nop. and H.,
1856
Mr.. Marsh, in reply, remarked as follows ;
Ma. SPEAKER:-lf any gooi IS to be ec-
cOmplshed # any great and benehcent
measure for the relief aud protection OF hui
man suffering or for the protection OF hu-
man rights, is proposed there is always a
Sion in the way" Difficulties and obsta-
Gales spring up on every side. We should
be glad TO do something Our sym9athles
are aroused and we ie Il deeply, but our hands
are ned. We fear the consequences. There
il trouble ahead. Money is asked for, and
the people will complain.
Yet, sir. when mischief is TO be effected
by legislation when this mischief is to be
enacted into law; when powerful corpora
tions are to be chartered, by virtue of which
thousands and hundreds OF thousands OF dol
lars are taken from the pockets of the peo-
pie to enrich monOpolsts and spectators
when these corporations have the power To
tighten or loosen their screws on the people
at pleasure-then, sir, there Is no difficulty
in the way. The road is easy. Outside
pressure clears the way. The bill passes
through all the forms OF legislation with rail-
road speed, without discussion, without ex-
animation even, by most OF the members,and
it forthwith becomes law. The people are
bled profusely, yet they vote to have Il so.
tbs an easy matter to do mischief, yet how
hard and difficult il is TO do good
Sir, the gentleman from Brdltleboro', Mr.
Bradley, for whom | entertain very great re-
spect. has for a long time been troubled with
these difficulties. At times II would SOON
as If he were almost on the point OF giving
us his aid aud cooperation when, perhaps,
new obstacles would present themselves
The power to tax Is 10 be considered. Ms
norues may grumble. The whole subject
according to that gentleman, IS full OF dlil>
culty,-Is involved in mystery. lie Is per-
picked, and he hardly knows what to do.
But let me tell the gentleman from Brat
tleboro, that the people Of this State enter
tain no such difficulties. They have had
full time to consider this matter, and their
minds are made up. From ali parts Of the
State their petitions and letters breathe The
right spirit From the gentleman's own town
Of Bmttleboro' have IN my possession pc
ttion numerously sigued by the prlnclpa
men of that place. On this petition, Sir,
am informed are most Of the merchants, pro
iessonah men and farmers Of that town. 70
This petition asks NJ "to make an approprt
alton to such amount as your wisdom and
judgment shall deem right, for the relief anS
benefit Of the inhabitants Of this State, ana
Of other SiaieS, now in Kansas" such, Sir
is also the petition from Brandon, and irou
many other towns. These men have NJ
scruples about the power, the right, or The
duty to make this appropriation, and the PEG
pe,l am satisfied, would everywhere respon'
amen to the passage of this bill,
But, Mr.. Speaker there is one result pro
duced by this discussion which gives M
great satisfaction. | understand the honor
BILE gentleman from Fairhavru, Mr.. Kit
lredge, the gentleman from Montpelier, MI
Merrill, aud the gentlemen from Bratt.eboro
Mt Bradley. to admit the lega! right AM
constitutional power to pass this bill. Sir
they have no constitutional questions to rals'
and discuss here. This Is great poin
gained. They seem to admit the CORRECTNESS
Of the positions laid down In the Report u
The COMMITTEE, and the gentleman iron
Farlaven goes further aud pays a hlgl
complimen, TO the clearness and ability d
mat Report whlch am afraid Il dors NJ