Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-01-12
A. A. EARLE, Editor.
.artOn, Tuesday, Jan. IL, 1869.
TERMS:
Congress-.

ing the holidays on the 9th inst, and
proceeded to business with renewed
vigor. On the 9th senator Sherman
of Ohio took up his bill to charter +,
three railroads: one from Washington
TO New York. one from Washington
to Pittsburgh, and another from Wash
ington to Cincinnati. The senator
proceeded to argue the necessity of
these roads, the power and extent of
over existing roads, and it's
right to authorize the construction of
new ones. under the plea of regula-
ting commerce between the states.--
Without a doubt the Ohio senator is
right as to the power congress has to
construct any road it has a mind to.
but we at the same time sincerely |
doubt the propriety of exercising the
right, particularly at this time when
the whole country is weighed down
with the terrible burden of its nation
al debt. We wish to diminish in
stead of increasing its volume, and
building new railroads or repairing
old ones is not the way to lessen it
If it is necessary for Che interests OF
commerce that these roads be built,
let private capital build them and pri.
vate individuals own them. If the
country needs them it will pay for our
miIlionaircs-our Daniel Drews and
our Vanderbilts to construct them,
and if it will not pay them to invest |
in such enterprises it assuredly will |
not be a lucrative investment for gov
eminent to enter upon the work. We
believe in government keeping alOof |
as far as possible in such matters at
ann time, and nOUr to exercise extra
caution. 1t has plenty to do to pay
the national debt and the interest
thereon. Matters have been carried
1u with a high hand in the past eight
years. money has been voted away
with scarce a moments thought
The people ask congress to stop such
legislation; to stop the leaks in the
national ship and vote away no more
Of their money in needless appropria-
tons
Judge Poland on the 9th presented
a Joint resolution of the legislature
Of Vermont, against any reciprocity
treaty with Canada and in reference
to public lands. Soon after which
the house went into committee of the
whole on the pension appropriation
bill. when Mr.. Washburne of Illinois
made a speech in favor Of government
economy, which we hope will fad an
echo in the hearts Of every member
in our nat onal legislature, as it will
in the hearts Of their constituents
from Maine to California. Below We
give a few of Mr.. Washburne's re
marks:
While the restless and untiring energies
of a patriotic and incorruptible people
were devoted to the salvation of their gov
crnment, and were pouring out their BLOOD
and treasure in its defense, there was the
vast army of the base and the venal anC
unpatriotc, who rushed in to take advan
tage of the misfortunes Of the country anC
to plumber its treasury. The statute book
are loaded with legislation which will i'm
pose burdens on future generations
Public lands enough to make empires hav
been voted to private railroad corporations
subsidies of untold millions of bonds, 70
the same purposes, have become a charg
upon the people; while the letters of vas
mOnopolies have been fastened still close
and closer upon the public 1t is tim
admonished, that they are servants of tn
people, and are paid by the people; tina
their constituents have confided to ther
the great trust of guarding their rights, an
protecting their position, and that power
are to be used for the penefit of the peopl
whom they represent, and not for their ow
benefit and the benefit of lobbyists and tn
gamblers and spectators who have con-
II, az IA Il, oh II
treasury. The timeha come, in my iuds
ment, when public men are to be held to
more strictaccountablity- amore stri
discharge of their duty-and when the
actions will be scanned by more critics
eve. 1t is no new lesson that the publ
men Of this country must learn. It is
lesson which has been taught in 9TH
countries, and ofttimes even when the
was little to boast Of in the way of publ
virtue. 1t is recorded in history that du
ing the most terrible days of the FrenC
revolution for it was on the l4th of Ma
1893, nineteen days before the passage
the celebrated decree of the Nation
convention on the I'd of June, placing
accusation the Girondists, that BuZot, OF
of the purest and most eminent of tho
gifted and brilliant men pronounced d
memorable words which should be e
graved in letters of gold over the entran
of each public office and every hall of lie
islation-"No public man can be iustif
in profting from the information and a
vantages of his position. 1t is his duty
consecrate exclusively to the public int
est the knowledge which such position fl
nished him." Much is expected of the a
ministratiOn, and public expectation w
not be disappointed, but as much as &c
Grant can do, and as much as he will
in his own sphere of action it is idle
suppose that he can do anything that t
country requires to be done to secure the
reforms in the public service which are
lmperatively demanded. As Preside
Gen. Grant must have the earnest and G.
dial support of the other branches of t
government-particula the legislati
branch. The responsibility of this O.
gress, so far as the next administration
concerned, Is complete. We can wat
loo the ship of State before the presid
elect takes command. We can make
preparations under liabilities which v
20 over to the next administration, VIII
cannot be met by current revenues g
can only be met by imposing an additio
taxation on the people. We can dest
the confidence of the people in the wisdC
integrity and purity Of the republican I
ty, by yielding TO the insatiate demand.
cormOrants, who have gathered about
and " hp ms ia L.