The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1864-05-13
MIR. wooDBR1DGE's SPEECH

Frederic II. Woodbridge OF Vermont,
delivered speech in Congress, which
the Trenton Monitor says is truthful
and telling, dealing many severe
blows" against the monopoly known as
the Camden and Amboy Railroad
Company" A portion of this speech
we publish, which our readers will find
interesting;
Sir, do not like to descend to the
drgument,tm od hominen. Such argu-
ments are addressed to the passions
rather than the reason, and will only
say that in my judgment this Camden
and Amboy Railroad Company is as
good rs any other monopoly of the
same magnitude and power which has
received the sanction and protection
of State legislation and State courts,
for so many years.
Why is it, sir, that we hear every
where on all the corners of the streets,
north and east and west and south,
that this Camden and Amboy Railroad
is an unmitigated nuisanceY Why is
it that we hear that in general railroad
arrangements this company will never
into the pro rata divisions but holds come
itself aloof, separate and apart from
the arrangements of the companies
that connect with it at either end
/ Why is it, sir, that when you leave
your home in Indiana for Washington
you find your fare nearly double after
reaching New York? Why is it that
on the baggage which you brought
free of extra charge from Indiana to
New York you are compelled, when
you come to the Jersey City ferry, to
comply with the exhorbant demands
of some baggage man, and pay extra
charges? And why is it that you are
told that you must haul your own
trunk to the very door of the baggage
car or else it will not be taken? i have
seen member of this House, after
having paid for having his baggage
brought to the ferry, and paid three
dollars extra charge for it to Washing
ton, told that he must drag his own
trunks to the door of the baggage car
or they would not be received. Why
is it that when you enter the cars on
the New Jersey road they are crowd
ed? Why is it in the summer they
are badly ventilated, and in the winter
scarcely warm? Why is it when you
enter civil protest you are at once
met with the indignant frown of some
conductor, or with an insolent reply
from this hireling of aldermanic pro-
portions? Why is it that wherever
you go the people cannot tolerate this
monopoly? Sir, L will tell you why it
is. The monopoly has waxed fat. 1t
has grown rich. 1t has risen above
the people whom it was created to
serve. 1t pours its money into the lap
of New Jersey. New Jersey proclaims
that this railroad is her king and shall
rule forever. And yet for all these
reasons, l would not apply the power
of Congress to this matter did L not
believe that the commercial interests
of the different States require it. Did
1 believe that, in spite of this monopo-
ly which is arrogant, aristocratic, and
anti-republican, the business of the
country could be carried on by means
of free and unrestricted intercourse,
l would vote against this bill.
Mr.. Washburn, of Illinois: Will my
friend from Vermont tell the House
what State it is that now has bill be-
fore the Legislature fning man $500
or imprisoning him six months for en-
listing colored man to aid in putting
, down this rebelllonP
! Mr.. Woodbridge.-I have under
, stood, Mr.. Speaker that it is the State
of New Jersey; and l understand that
New Jersey has done another thing.
l understand that since this bill was
, brought before Congress, which, by the
, statement of its Governor, is going to
,, trample on its sovereign rights-those
, rights which are devoted and consecra-
ted to freedom, which are now all used
! for the benefit of the freedom of this Gov
, eminent, and to carry out the noble
! and generous impulse of the men OF
the North, as indicated by the remarks
of the gentleman from New Jersey
t the Legislature of the State has intro
J duced bill TO repeal and take away
the charter of the Delaware and Rari-
= tan Railroad Company.
Mr.. Johnson, OF IcnnSylNdnlh. w IL
!, the gentleman from Vermont allow me
Q to correct him as to a statement of fact
5 He says the Legislature of New DER
t sey has introduced bill to repeal the
S charter of the Delaware and Raritar
4 Railroad Company. 1t was only &
: member of the Legislature that intro
duced the bill.
Mr.. WOODBRIDGE: Mr.. Speaker, mar
t may generally be known by the compa
= ny he keeps. 1t is true that the re
e pealing bill was introduced by mem
Z, Der of 1.-THE Legislature of the State of New
: Jersey, and | have no doubt, from what
d hear, that the legislature represent
u the interest of the Camden and Ambo,
l railroad. Why is it, sir that one man
l. independent enough in the Senate o
e, New Jersey to break away from thu
/ trammels of this monopoly, lis denounce,
% by that dictatorial, domineering power
Why is it that we are told, in hi
te speech, that leads us TO believe tina
ce this monopoly interferes with the pr
rs mary elections in the State of Ne'
I'd Jersey: that it designaies who shall b