Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-10-21
Remarks of Mr.. Bun of Hancock.

In the House of Representatives, Thurs
day, Oct, 9th, on the resolution of
Mr. Skill, of Moukton, providing for
an adjournment until Monday morn
ing next.
Mr.. SPEAKER II take exceptions to
the resolution. 1t ought to read, all
voting in favor Of its adoption shall ask
and receive no pay for lost time. am
aware it is time-honored custom for
legislative bodies to adjourn over after
few days labor, in order to recruit their
wasted energies But bad customs, like
| bad fashions, should be discarded.
We are here by the authority of the
people. We are here as representatives
OF the people, and are supposed to be
here to legslate for their best interests !;
and, according TO the theory of the tax.
payers, triae less red tape and little
more hard work would be acceptable.
Suppose you adopt this resolution, and
go home and find your interests going to
destruction, your hired man slowed away
in some snug coruer, playiog dominoes
and drinking whisky, and you remon.
strate. Well, he says, | have passed a
resolution TO adjourn over; having con-
sidered the matter carefully, candidly
and seriously, | have fully concluded
that a hired man on the farm is equally
entitled to an adjournment with hired
man i'll the Legislature. Now, you are
here, and | am here but never mind,
we will both 60 back to our duties next
week, and it will be O. K. You are
right and | am right, and the only dit.
ference between US is, the State pays YOU
and does not pay me.
Look at the history of nations whose
rulers have disregarded the rights of the
people. Lock at the men high in au-
thority and power, having held the
highest Offices in the gift of the people,
who have abused their trust and disre-
garded the rights and wishes and will of
the people. Where are they now
They have Swung round the circle
for briei space of time, and are now
left alone in their glory, with few so
poor as to do them homage, with plenty
of leisure and opportunity to look back
upon their past tollies with regret. The
best and wisest thing they can do, under
the circumstances, is to take up lodgings
with Robinson Crusoe. There they are
monarch of all they survey" with no
one to dispute their authority or their
title to nobility.
And now, sirs as contrast, permit
me briefly to allude to our gallant off
GERS and brave soldiers who followed
them through the dark and bloody days
of the late rebellion. They did not
meet of Friday afternoon and pass a
resolution to adjourn over; but they did
hold council and passed resolution
and proclaimed to the world, in thunder
tones, not to be mistaken or forgotten,
that they wonld not adjourn until the
Stars and Stripes should wave Ger the
land Of the bondman, the down-trodden
slave. No, sirs; their resolution was,
Right about face, March Double quick
Vermonters ahead Forward and on
ward and upward to victory and when
they had accomplished their mission and
t.rbt A. al
jourued. Some Of them returned, many
minus leg or an arm, others in feeble
health and ruined constitutions, and are
to-day struggling and toiling to meet
the demands of the tax-gatherer. Is it
right, is it just, is it reasonable or hon
orable, to ask taem-to ask the people :
to pay us for services not rendered or la
Dor performed?
Then let us not prove recreant to our
trust, but true to our title as representa-
tives of the people do equal justice to
all men yes, and to all women, also.
And in conclusion l would say, if the
party in power expect or desire to retain
that power, see to it that you deal justly
by the people. And | will add, for the
information of all interested or concern
ed, that | expect this present session will
en- my labors here; but while have
seat on this floor will assert and main
tain, protect and defend, the rights and
interests of the neoDle as | understand
them, freely and iearlessly. so help me
God.
| desire, sir, that my name be record
ed as voting NO, and demand the yeas
and nays.
One of our popular preachers says ::
I l-.-. !